[cmartin]

I read on the internets it gets 32mpg while towing

[markwemple]

Originally Posted by smdubovsky

The Flex is rated 16/21 mpg. F150 is rated 16/22. No idea where the 30mpg # came from?

That's what I read as well.

[Trak Ratt]

Looks like a nice package. Really like the idea of a smaller more efficent motor. But the F's bed sidewalls have got'n so tall it's practically impossible to retrieve anything from the box without lowering the tailgate. Even the 2 wheel drive ones. To bad too as I'm been think'n about getting a new pickup. 2002 has ~84K and still runs great and looks ok, but just got the bug I guess. The '02's bed isn't that short either but at least the access is better than newer ones. Same with most others brands too. Would actually like a mid size but the selection doesn’t seem all that good.

[Chopper Dropper]

Towing what??? an empty red flyer trailer down a steep hill11
Dirk

[Dr K]

I don't know where you guys are getting your information from (not that mine is correct)--Ford is still listing this as "TBD" on their web site.

[Fairfax 944]

Originally Posted by Dr K

I don't know where you guys are getting your information from (not that mine is correct)--Ford is still listing this as "TBD" on their web site.

Check out the Ford Press Release for mileage, etc.:
http://green.autoblog.com/2011/01/08...ty-22-highway/

PRESS RELEASE
2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost Beats All Others With Combination of Fuel Economy, Power, Capability

DEARBORN, Mich., Jan. 7, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

* The 2011 Ford F-150 equipped with all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost™ truck engine is officially EPA-certified at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway
* Outstanding fuel economy complements the best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque this engine produces to enable best-in-class conventional towing of 11,300 pounds and best-in-class payload of 3,060 pounds
* No other manufacturer offers this combination of power, performance, capability and fuel economy in a truck
* 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost arrives in dealer showrooms later this winter


The Ford F-150 breaks new ground this year with its available EcoBoost engine, delivering a combination of fuel economy, performance and towing that beats all other trucks.

The Ford F-150's official 2011 EPA ratings – completed this week – certify that models equipped with the 365-horsepower 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo engine and six-speed automatic transmission achieve 22 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in the city. No other truck with comparable horsepower can match the F-150 EcoBoost in highway or city fuel economy.

The one-two punch of Ford Motor Company's EcoBoost technology – fuel economy and high performance – opens a new era for truck customers.

"The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine is a shining example of the uncompromising nature of Ford's EcoBoost technology: more power and better fuel economy," said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager. "What's important for truck customers is that this all-new engine delivers best-in-class capability where it matters most: towing and hauling. Now they're getting great fuel economy, too."

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine produces best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque, helping enable best-in-class maximum towing of 11,300 pounds and maximum payload of 3,060 pounds, all with unsurpassed fuel economy.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost is the final piece of the most extensive powertrain makeover in the 63-year history of Ford F-Series. Introduced earlier and now available are a new 3.7-liter V6, a 5.0-liter V8 and a 6.2-liter V8. Each of these engines also offers best-in-class or unsurpassed fuel economy, power and capability.

Meanwhile, each engine is mated to a fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission – making Ford the only manufacturer to equip its entire full-size pickup lineup with standard six-speed automatic gearboxes. All 2011 F-150s, except those equipped with the optional 6.2-liter V8, feature EPAS, or electric power-assisted steering, a segment first. EPAS contributes about a 4 percent fuel-economy benefit compared with conventional hydraulic systems.

This versatile new powertrain lineup enables F-150 customers to choose the engine that best suits their needs.

Widest application of EcoBoost technology

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine for the 2011 Ford F-150 means this award-winning technology is now available in the best-selling vehicle in America. In 2010, 528,349 Ford F-Series trucks were sold, making it not only the best-selling truck in America for the 34th straight year, but also the best-selling vehicle, car or truck, for the 29th consecutive year. No other car, truck, SUV or CUV reached the 400,000 unit sales level in 2010.

By 2013, Ford plans to offer an EcoBoost engine in up to 90 percent of its North American nameplates, supporting global sales of 1.5 million EcoBoost-powered vehicles per year.

EcoBoost is fundamental to Ford's strategy to provide technologically advanced, high-output, smaller-displacement powertrains that deliver uncompromised performance and fuel economy. Ford EcoBoost engines deliver fuel-economy gains of up to 20 percent and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to 15 percent, compared with larger, less-efficient engines.

In addition to turbocharging with direct injection, Ford powertrain engineers have enhanced EcoBoost's technology capabilities by adding variable valve timing and precisely controlling all aspects of the engine. Ford has at least 125 patents on its EcoBoost technology.

Diesel-like performance in a gasoline engine

The key technologies built into every EcoBoost engine, including turbocharging and direct fuel injection, are particularly relevant to truck customers. This combination of turbocharging and direct fuel injection delivers a wealth of low-end torque and maintains it across a broad rpm range, which is key in towing applications.

The 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine delivers 420 lb.-ft. of torque and 365 horsepower to enable best-in-class towing of 11,300 pounds – more than enough to tow a fully loaded three-horse trailer or 30-foot boat, for example. Plus the EcoBoost truck engine does it all on regular fuel and with outstanding fuel economy.

"Truck customers should think of the EcoBoost truck engine as a gas-powered engine with diesel-type capability and characteristics," said Jim Mazuchowski, V6 engines program manager. "The twin turbochargers and direct injection give it the broad, flat torque curve that makes towing with a diesel so effortless – and hard acceleration so much fun."

As with diesels, today's EcoBoost engines feature:

* A high-pressure direct-injection fuel system fed by a common rail that delivers a precise amount of gasoline in the exact spot for fast and complete burn
* Turbocharging to create a more dense mix of air and fuel in each cylinder
* Special pistons with optimized bowls in the center to improve combustion efficiency. These pistons are also oil-cooled, which reduces in-cylinder temperatures
* Reduced CO2 emissions and higher fuel economy


And just like diesels, Ford's EcoBoost engines deliver outstanding performance and driving enjoyment at all speeds. EcoBoost accomplishes this at less cost than a similar-displacement diesel engine.

Key attributes of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost truck engine:

* 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
* Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm on regular fuel
* Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors
* Best-in-class 3,060 pounds payload vs. all competitors
* Fuel economy of 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway
* Up to 90 percent of peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
* New benchmark for combination of performance, capability and fuel efficiency
* Ti-VCT (twin independent variable camshaft timing) creates precise, variable timing control of both the intake and exhaust camshafts to optimize power, performance and fuel economy
* Intake and exhaust camshafts optimized for improved fuel economy and performance
* Cast exhaust manifolds for heavy-duty operation and durability
* Improved manifold and cylinder heads for improved performance
* Direct-acting mechanical bucket (DAMB) valvetrain with polished buckets to reduce friction and improve fuel economy
* Built at Cleveland Engine Plant


2011 F-Series Awards

* PickupTrucks.com and USA Today: 2010 V-6 Shootout: Best Overall V-6 Work Truck
* Consumer Digest Best Buy
* The SEMA Award™ for Hottest Truck
* Farmer Industry News Best Pickup
* Farmer Industry News Most Innovative Agricultural Product
* Popular Mechanics Auto Excellence Award: Best Workhorse
* Ward's Best Engine: 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel
* PickupTrucks.com Best Engine: 6.2-liter gas
* ALG Residual Value
* Kelley Blue Book Residual Value
* Truck Line of Texas
* R.L. Polk Pickup Truck Loyalty Award

[cmartin]

Towing what??? an empty red flyer trailer down a steep hill11

I heard it was a tandem trailer loaded with 2 Dodge diesels. Wait until they put in the turbo diesel, the little ford gets 40 mgp towing.