Ford to charge $700 for EcoBoost option, F-150 to have 340+ horsepower

Image by Ford Motor Company via Flickr Ford will reportedly charge $700 for it's upcoming EcoBoost engines as an option on many of it's future vehicles when the engine goes on sale in 2009. The first of the EcoBoost engines will be a 3.5L V-6 that will first find its way into the 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan and the 2010 Ford Flex crossover.



A version of the engine is on it's way for the 2010 F-150 that will reportedly develop in excess of 340 hp and at least as much torque, easily besting the present the F150's 300 hp 5.4L V-8.



Ford is heavily promoting it's EcoBoost engines, which are turbocharged four and six cylinder engines, as an alternative to V8 power with much better gas mileage. Ford will use the increased efficiency of the smaller engines as an explanation of the increased premium in price.



Six cylinder EcoBoost engines will feature direct injection and twin turbos. The smaller four cylinders will use single turbos. The EcoBoost has produced a lot of positive PR for Ford, but we'll have to reserve judgement until they finally hit the road next year.



Check out AmericanTrucks.com and their line of Ford F150 Truck Parts.

Ford to continue building small cars, announces new models

Image by Getty Images via Daylife
In spite of potentially dropping gas prices, Ford CEO Alan Mullaly recently told FOX Business Network that Ford will not shift it's focus away from increasing production on small cars. Mullaly said that Ford's previous plan to focus on large vehicles was not the right business plan. "No, I think the dye is cast," Mullaly said. "It really starts with a point of view about the future and a couple of points of view for Ford. We clearly focused on big SUVs and trucks in the United States and we focused on dynamite cars and smaller vehicles around the world. That's not a balanced plan."
Despite rumors to the contrary, Ford will not abandon it large car and truck division altogether. "We've been the preferred industry leader in trucks and SUVs for 33 years," he said. "These are wonderful vehicles. Even though the market is down substantially, there's going to be a market for large trucks and SUVs. We're going to continue to invest the appropriate amount and maintain our leadership." Having said this, Ford won't ignore the trends altogether. It is already planning on retooling two of it's U.S. plants and one Mexico plant to build small cars instead of trucks and SUV's.
Ford also recently dropped some information on some of it's future product. They weren't kidding about a total overhaul in the next couple of years...
2010 Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, Lincoln MKZ Refreshed versions of these midsize sedans are expected to launch in early 2009. Fusion and Milan will also be offered as hybrids, with fuel economy that's promised to top that of the Toyota Camry hybrid. 2010 Ford Mustang A revised form of the pony car, already being previewed to enthusiasts across the country, will hit dealers in early 2009. We're expecting a debut at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show. 2010 Ford Taurus A thoroughly restyled Taurus sedan will launch in the middle of 2009. Ford plans on offering its EcoBoost technology (turbocharged engines with direct-injection) in the new car. 2010 European Ford Fiesta and Focus We knew the cars would (finally) make their way to the U.S. for 2010, and Ford has now revealed they'll arrive in both four- and five-door models. There's no word on whether a three-door Focus, especially in RS trim, would make its way stateside. 2010 Lincoln crossover Ford claims its luxury division will receive a seven-passenger crossover halfway through 2009. Given the vehicle's description and the hint that it'll receive the EcoBoost powertrain, we're expecting a Lincoln version of the Ford Flex. Time will tell if styling from the MKT concept transitions into production. 2010 "Small Cars" We've precious little detail on what Ford is planning here, but the company claims it will launch a new small car as a Mercury in 2010, alongside another small vehicle with roots in Europe. The latter is described as a "whitespace" entry, suggesting it may be a unique offering in our market. 2010 Ford Explorer The ubiquitous Explorer will abandon the traditional body-on-frame structure for unibody construction in 2010. Given that, and the promise of an EcoBoost motor and a six-speed automatic, we're expecting it to be similar in concept to the Explorer America concept shown at the 2008 Detroit show. Ford claims the changes will help the model return a 25 percent improvement in fuel economy. Along with the new products come a number of changes to Ford's assembly plants. The automaker already revealed its intention to switch factories from building slow-selling full-size trucks to small cars, so these revelations aren't earth shattering. Ford's Michigan Truck Plant in Wayne, Michigan, may have to revise its name. Presently home to the Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator SUVs, the factory will be retooled starting in December of 2008 to build the 2010 European Focus for the North American market. Production for both the Expedition and Navigator will move to the truck plant in Louisville, Kentucky, although a line in the same facility will also be responsible for assembling the 2010 Focus. Ford's factory in Cuautitlan, Mexico, will build the 2010 Fiesta for North America instead of its present product, the F-Series trucks. Expecting further declines in the full-size truck segment, Ford has extended the life of the Ford Ranger by two years, giving the plant in St. Paul, Minnesota, an extra two years of work.