By Christopher A Sawyer
The Virtual Driver

(January 19, 2017) Ford didn’t spend a lot of time talking about the 2018 F-150 at the North American International Auto Show, counting on its debut during Fox’s NFL Wildcard Pre-game Show and a concurrent press release to get the word out. It was short shrift for a vehicle that has been America’s top-selling truck for 40 consecutive years and the top selling American vehicle for 35 years, but its image clashes with Ford’s new positioning as a mobility company.

Each models gets a new grille, headlights and front bumper, as well as a new tailgate and taillights. Lariat models equipped with the Sport Package ditch the twin chrome grille bars for ones painted body color, and share their interior carbon fiber-like appliqués with the F-150 XLT Sport. The King Ranch edition gets new Kingsville Appointed seats, while the Platinum adds Dark Marsala seating trim and the Limited offers Navy Pier trim.

A new 3.3-liter direct-injected V6 with a higher compression ratio replaces the formerly standard 3.7-liter V6, and is expected to produce the same 282 hp and 253 lb.-ft. of torque.

It seems like a lot of work and expense to undertake in order to keep the power output the same and the estimated fuel economy slightly higher. However, the real reason for the downsizing is that Ford could not get the direct-injected, naturally aspirated 3.5-liter motor to meet the EPA’s new particulate emission standards without the reduction in displacement.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost remains unchanged, and the 2.7-liter EcoBoost — rumored to be the engine around which Ford will build the powertrain for the 2020 F-150 and Mustang hybrids — adds dual port injection to its direct fuel injection system. This washes the intake runners and valves with atomized fuel droplets in order to reduce soot-causing carbon deposits on these surfaces. Like the naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V8, the EcoBoost motors are mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and have standard stop-start technology.

But the big news is the addition of a 3.0-liter V6 Power Stroke diesel to the F-150’s engine lineup, and yet Ford said very little about the engine. Like the gasoline motors, it will be mated to the 10-speed automatic and have automatic start-stop standard.

Ford also made passing mention of a new Ranger pickup and Bronco SUV,  to be introduced in 2019 and 2020, respectively. These dates have slipped a year, suggesting the work necessary to refit the Michigan Assembly Plant and redesign the in-name-only Global Ranger to meet U.S. safety standards is taking longer than expected.

As for the Bronco, don’t expect it to be a small retro-styled two-door like the 2004 Bronco Concept. Word is it is little more than the next-generation of the Ford Everest SUV with a new badge.

The Virtual Driver