2016 Ford F-150 To Offer CNG And Propane Prep Options

For a hot second there, compressed natural gas (CNG) and propane seemed to be the solution to America’s energy woes, especially for commercial fleet owners. While the CNG/propane option took a hiatus with the debut of the all-new 2015 F-150, Ford is bringing it back for 2016.

Buyers will have to pony up an additional $315 to Ford for adding the gaseous prep option to their F-150, allowing one of four Ford-approved installers to convert it to propane or natural gas. These conversions typically run from $7,500 to $9,500, and the option will only be offered on the F-150’s thirstiest engine, 5.0 V8. Yup, the two EcoBoost engines are still stuck sucking down gasoline.

With a gallon-equivalent of CNG costing about $2.11 compared to $2.62 a gallon for 87 octane fuel, fleet operators could see savings over the long-term…in this case, the extremely long term, as the 50-cent per gallon advantage of CNG is lessened by the lower fuel economy and the ever-fluctuating price of gasoline. Just a few months ago, parts of the country were paying as little as $1.99 for a gallon of gas. Even with the new, lighter aluminum body of the F-150, you’re talking about years worth of driving to see any sorts of price savings.

Still, that hasn’t deterred buyers wanting to get off of petrol and onto American-made CNG or propane; Ford sold over 16,000 pre-prepped trucks last year, the fifth-straight year of record sales. Even though that’s just a small fraction of annual F-150 sales, it represents a shifting mindset within America, where concerns about energy security range from environmental to patriotic. The F-150 is the most American vehicle you can buy, and powering it with fuel sourced directly from the USA is pretty damny ‘Murican if you ask me.

2015 Mustang MPG Ratings Fully Revealed

The 2015 Ford Mustang’s MPG ratings have finally been fully revealed after a leak showed some, but not all, of the engine/transmission combination ratings. The EPA has revealed the rest of the ratings of the whole 2015 Mustang engine lineup, and the original pony car stays on top of the MPG pack.

The base 3.7 liter V6 engine, which has been detuned to 300 horsepower compared to the 305 of the 2014 model, also saw its fuel economy numbers a couple of MPG. The 2015 Mustang V6 is now rated at 17 city/28 highway/21 combined with a manual transmission, and 19 city/28 highway/22 combined when equipped with the six-speed automatic. That’s down from 31 MPG highway on a similarly-equipped (yet more powerful!) 2014 Mustang V6, and a loss of 1 to 2 MPG across the rest of the ratings. Umm, ew?

The reason? To give buyers cause to pay extra for the 310 horsepower 2.3 liter EcoBoost engine, which was rated at 22 city/31 highway/25 combined with a stick shift, and 21 city/32 highway/26 combined with a slushbox. While the EcoBoost engine offers up to 4 extra MPG compared with the V6, more horsepower, and a better torque curve, two of those three are only because Ford made the V6 engine less competitive. I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years, the V6 option disappears altogether with Ford citing low sales.

That leaves the big daddy 435 horsepower 5.0 V8, which guzzles gas at a rate of 15 MPG city/25 MPG highway/19 combined with the manual. The automatic transmission adds an extra MPG to the city rating, but that’s it, though Ford has never tried to claim the Coyote engine is efficient. According to the EPA, the cost in fueling the most and least-efficient Mustangs is about $750 per year.

I’m disappointed, which is tough to say because I was one of the biggest 2015 Mustang fanboys. From everything I’ve heard, the 2.3 liter EcoBoost is a smooth torque beast and a worthy Mustang engine, but it’s only marginally more efficient and powerful. There are plenty of other improvements to the 2015 Mustang, like active grille shutters and an independent rear suspension. There’s also a ton of new tech features, including push button start standard and an all-new MyFord Touch system.

But the engine lineup? For all the hype, I’m still left wanting more than a handicapped V6 and a just-as-thirsty four-cylinder.

For the record, I realize I am indeed whining about a 310 horsepower Mustang that gets up to 32 MPG. It’s pretty good…but so was the 2014 Mustang V6 too. I guess I just expected more, which is supposedly the hallmark of my generation.

Source: Gas 2.

2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost: Huge Push For Turbo Four-Cylinder On The Way

One of the most talked-about features of the redesigned 2015 Ford Mustang is an optional turbocharged EcoBoost 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine.

It's not the first four-cylinder Mustang engine, but the EcoBoost will carve out a space in a lineup that's traditionally been dominated by larger V-6 and V-8 engines.

MUST SEE: 2015 Ford Mustang: How High Will Its Gas-Mileage Ratings Go?

That would explain why, according to Mustangs Daily, a huge marketing push for the EcoBoost is on the way, one that will discourage buying the V-6.

That 3.7-liter V-6 is likely to remain the Mustang's base engine--with the EcoBoost placed between it and the available 5.0-liter V-8--and it's done pretty well in that position so far. Over half of current-generation Mustangs sold are reportedly V-6 models, and now Ford will have to convince buyers to pay more for a smaller engine.

2015 Ford Mustang GT

The EcoBoost is expected to produce 305 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, compared to 300 hp and 270 lb-ft for the V-6.

It likely will get better EPA fuel economy ratings, although it's really more about less-inefficient performance than gas mileage.

One part of Ford's dissuasion strategy is simply not offering the V-6 in certain markets--like Europe--making the EcoBoost the de facto base engine.

Ford will also limit the options available with the V-6.

Buyers won't be able to get options like Recaro sport seats, the TrackApps connectivity feature, or larger 19- or 20-inch wheels.

The V-6 2015 Mustang also won't be available with the Performance and Premium packages. The former includes upgraded suspension, brakes, and wheels, while the latter upgrades the interior beyond the basic black-cloth seats.

These tactics underscore the need for customers to buy the EcoBoost Mustang, and not simply to justify its existence.

While the EcoBoost four isn't necessarily for fuel economy, it should still perform better than the V-6, contributing to a better Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) mix for the company.

CAFE standards will require 2025-model-year vehicles to achieve a fleet average of54.5 mpg, which translates to an EPA window-sticker rating of around 42 mpg.

Source: Green Car Reports

2015 Ford F-150 Could Get 2.7 Liter EcoBoost V6

In little more than a week, Ford will reveal the face and technology of the 2015 Ford F-150. We already know that extensive use of aluminum will drop as much as 700 pounds off of the curb weight of the new full-size pickup, and now rumor has it that Ford could also debut an all-new, 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 engine, nicknamed “Nano”, alongside the next-gen truck.

Up until now, the Ford F-150 has had the choice of a 3.7 liter V6, a 5.0 liter V8, and of course the 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 that promises both performance and fuel economy. Going forward though, fuel economy has become perhaps the most important factor of new vehicles, and Ford is utilizing all sorts of methods of maximize MPGs in the 2015 F150. But while the new F-150 may use active grille and wheel shutters, as seen on the Ford Atlas concept, the buzz around a new EcoBoost “Nano” V6 is even more exciting.

Rumored to make 320 horsepower and 375 ft-lbs of torque, this downsized V6 would slot in nicely between the base 3.7 liter V6 and the larger 5.0 engine. This would likely be the premium fuel economy offerings, and if rumors of massive weight loss are true, the smaller V6 engine could possibly push fuel economy over 30 MPG highway for the 2015 F-150 when combined with other fuel-saving technologies. That said, it will probably still have side mirrors instead of aerodynamic cameras.

The key to the new V6 engine is a twin-scroll turbocharger setup, which uses a smaller turbo at low RPMs that spools up quickly. At higher speeds, a larger turbocharger takes over, allowing for a seamless transition that keeps the power band consistent. With rivals like Chrysler and GM overtaking Ford in the pickup fuel economy race, the Blue Oval is in desperate need of a new contender to entice commercial and private owners that Ford is still the dominant force in full-size trucks.

We’ll find out in a few more days if the 2015 Ford F-150 has what it takes to stay on top in a time of increasing fuel economy and consumer expectations.

Source: Ford Authority