Today I was able to experience the 2011 F150 equiped with the new 3.5L Ecoboost and 6 speed transmission. As most of you know that anyone could sign up to have Ford deliever to you residents or place a buisness for a test drive. Ford is pushing the Ecoboost really hard. With the inclusion of trucks on upcoming CAFE laws affecting companys overal fuel economy rating its easy to see why. The Ecoboost is rated to tow the same amount as the 6.2L and do so getting much better fuel economy. You will be able to option the Ecoboost in the XL(reg cab/super cab), the XLT(all), the FX2/FX4(all), Lariat(all), king ranch, and platinum. {The 6.2 will be standard in Raptor and Harley-Davidson and optional in the Lariat(super crew) and Platinum.}
What was delivered to the house today was a loaded Platinum sporting the Ecoboost. Rated to tow 11,300 lbs and payload of 3,060(mind you the F250 PS payload is 2,430)
Bad stuff:
~You cant hear the turbos while inside the inclosed cabin.
~Back seat still does not lean back quite enough for my liking. Although much improved over earlier F150s still doesn't feel as comfortable as the F250. Could have given up an few inches of leg room to get a few degrees more angle. This is all subject to personal opinion and I'm a professional of MY opinion.
~Intake system will be a popular upgrade I believe on these trucks and they are going to be expensive for all the routing and tubing required espeacially on the inlet side of the turbos. How much power will that and tuning unleash?? I'd guess I fair amount to be worth it.
~Direct-Acting Mechanical Buckets(DAMB) instead of Hydrolic lash adjusters. Although as a great acronym this is going to cost you when you need to have them adjusted. Mazda and others use them and are suppose to an audible check every 75,000 miles(on Mazda) this runs about $4-600 if needing adjusted.
~Still some wind noise when riding in back seat. I believe that has more to do with Areodynamics more then anything else.
~Tailgate assist step still isnt standard. ALRIGHT this isn't bad persay but I just get so tired of going to the local dealers and either no trucks or the high end trucks have them. FORD DEALERS ORDER YOUR TRUCKS WITH THESE>Aftermarket if you can find a way to intergerate these into the older F150s. Making them as clean and functional as Ford, you'd make some money for sure(forget what Howie long and Government motors is jelous they didn't think of)
~The information center as a ton of options and menus. One could spend an hour just going through all of it easily.
~Turn signal took some getting used to as it always returned to the home position. So I found myself hitting it repeatedly when coming up to the turn(which would cancel it in 4 clicks as its programed to do as two quick bumps of the switch is to indicate to the computer overtaking cars or changing lanes) This can be trained out of your brain though after you get used to the new set-up and dont bounce back in forth between you own families cars.
Now the Good.
~YOU CAN HEAR THE TURBOS!!!! when you are outside of the truck as its driving away. Its faint I admit but a VERY nice surprise through the stock exhaust.
~The truck as a very nice tone inside and out when driving. You really dont have the buzzy exhaust note you expect from a V6 truck. Even with the 3.73 and 4.somthing first it doesn't sound like a wound up small displacement engine. It was mellow and much deeper then I expected. STILL not a V-8 sound that everyone is used to but a person not knowing it was a V6 wouldn't drive it and instantly reconize that.
~The seating postion is much more pleasent with giving off a little more feeling of setting in the truck instead of on the truck. The lowered seat position gives off a closer car vibe. Again this is supbject to personal taste and I really like it alot. The rear as a ton of leg room and flat loading.
~Those of you with a wife/GF/Kids will appreciate that you no longer have to flip a few levers to raise the back seat to untilize the rear storage in the cab. Just lift it up. Has a simple handle to lower it back into place after finished.
~The information center as a ton of information!! Once you figure out how to get to whatever information and diagnostics you want it is easily read on the fly while driving.(meaning park the thing until you get the menu you want pulled up then drive).
~You can store up to 10 different trailor settings on board.
~Mass air meter looked suffiecent in size.
~Air to air intercooler mounted in a place where it gets plenty of airflow.
~We were told this engine differs from the SHO on just about everything. Different block casting, beefier internals, different turbos, etc.(Not saying the SHO is bad just we are asking an essentially passenger car engine to do a MUCH more brutal and strenious task)
~Turbos are accessible with removal of the fenderwell liners.
~Turbos are watercooled and even circulate water after the truck is shutoff for a period of time to prevent "coking".
~the 365hp/420trq is rated on 87 octane and 12# of boost. So Premium fuel a tune and a few other mods one could start getting into a fun all around truck.
~Electric Pwr steering was very nice and has a drift function that corrects itself as your driving down bad road or windy conditions with trailer
I'm in the market for a truck and I was convinced I was buying a 2008-2010 6.4 Power stroke until I heard about the 6.2 and Ecoboost coming to the market. and after driving the Ecoboost today I must say it would serve every purpose I would have for the truck. It is getting very very serious consideration over the PS. Based on MY personal needs, maintenace and cost. Yes I generally live my life as excess is barely enough but I think the Ecoboost with a few mods would be a great choice also.(against my nature to leave any of MY vehicles stock).
Trucks are due to go on sale Febuary 2nd. Drive one and I think it will surprise you. Bring your check books if you are in the market for a new truck no matter what brand because you will want this one afterwards. It really blows away it competitors in its segment.
I have nothing to add to this, and agree with it all. We just picked ours up friday
