Ford F-150 pickup trucks gain in fuel efficiency

Ford Motor stated on Wednesday new 2017 designs of its very popular F-150 pickup will enhance fuel performance by 11 percent for four-wheel drive variations which utilize a 10-speed transmission collectively established with rival General Motors.

The best-selling automobile in North America since the mid-1970s, the F-150 4×4 variations with 3.5-liter “EcoBoost” turbo-charged engines will accomplish a typical 20 miles per gallon, up from 18 mpg from present version.

F-150 fuel economy ratings compare positively, albeit only somewhat much better, than V8 gas pickup the company targets by competitors General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. However Ford most likely will not broaden its sales lead on this element alone, one analyst stated.

The ratings are for combined highway and city driving. The 2017 F-150 designs go on sale by the end of this year.

Ford executives have cautioned investors that with fuel costs low, customers may not pay the complete cost of technology used to meet stiffer fuel effectiveness mandates.

Of the brand-new 3.5-liter “EcoBoost” trucks with a 10-speed transmission, 80 percent are going to be four-wheel drive. Along with two-wheel drive versions, trucks with the 10-speed transmissions will represent about 30 percent of F-150 sales, Ford stated.