Ford has announced plans to expand start-stop technology across the entire EcoBoost-powered F-150 lineup.
The fuel-saving feature is already standard for the 2.7-liter EcoBoost powerplant, which delivers an EPA city/highway rating of up to 19/26 mpg in the rear-wheel-drive configuration.
The system will make its way to the 3.5-liter EcoBoost mill for the 2017 model year, helping reduce potential fuel consumption for both the basic F-150 and the next-generation Raptor. The latter variant will feature a performance-tuned adaptation of the existing 3.5-liter turbocharged V6, with output expected to reach at least 450 horsepower.
Ford engineers optimized the F-150′s stop-start system specifically for use in trucks, preventing the engine from shutting off when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode.
Actual fuel savings will vary significantly based on driving patterns. The upgrade is unlikely to affect the EPA estimates and may be of little use for highway cruising. The biggest gains will be experienced if the truck is frequently used in a traffic-clogged city, or other scenarios in which fuel is needlessly wasted when the vehicle is briefly stopped and the engine is left idling.
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