According to an official press release from Ford, the next-generation 3.5L EcoBoost engine will be built at the same Cleveland Engine Plant in which the current engine is produced. The Cleveland plant will receive $145 million in upgrades and create or retain 150 jobs to support production of the new engine. First offered in 2011, the 3.5L is one of Ford’s most popular engines and is the top offering in the F-150. Along with the 2.7L EcoBoost, the two turbocharged engines reside in over 60% of all F-150s purchased, according to Ford. A high-output version of the engine will also power the all-new 2017 Ford Raptor and promises to beat the current 6.2L V8’s 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque, all while returning better fuel economy.
“This is very exciting news for the hardworking men and women of Cleveland Engine Plant and the Ohio community as a whole,” said Jimmy Settles, UAW vice president, National Ford Department. “The team at Cleveland Engine is thrilled to begin building one of the most technologically advanced engines ever designed for the all-new F-150 Raptor.”
Although specifics for the new engine have not yet been disclosed, the new 3.5L EcoBoost will feature direct and port injection, according to a tweet from Ford’s Truck Communications Manager, Mike Levine. The existing 3.5L returns up to 20 mpg combined and puts out a healthy 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. We will bring you more information as soon as specs are released. Whatever the numbers turn out to be, there is little doubt the new engine will continue to be a success for Ford.
