What Will the 2018 F-150 Diesel Engine Specs Be?

We examine the latest speculation regarding the 2018 F-150 diesel engine and its potential details.

Fans have been clamoring for an oil burning version of the F-150 for what seems like forever. And Ford is finally answering those prayers with the new 2018 F-150 diesel. Ford announced that the refreshed F-150 would receive a 3.0 liter Powerstroke V6 diesel engine at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show, but provided no further details. That left Torque News to speculate on what we’ll see in the first ever diesel powered F-150.

As Torque News points out, we know two things for sure. The new diesel F-150 is going to do battle with the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which means Ford will be aiming to make an engine that is both more power and fuel efficient than Dodge’s. Secondly, Ford already builds a 3.0 liter diesel engine – for Land Rover.

The Ram EcoDiesel is currently the most fuel efficient 1/2 ton pickup in the U.S., achieving 21 mpg’s in the city and 29 on the highway from its 3.0 liter V6. The diesel engine produces 240 hp and 420 lb-ft of torque. So we know that those numbers are going to provide a baseline for the F-150 diesel to build on.

Ford’s current diesel 3.0 liter V6 sees duty in the Range Rover as part of a partnership between Ford, Peugeot, Jaguar and Land Rover. The U.S. spec Range Rover with that very engine produces 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. So it already has a leg up on the Ram.

And that engine delivers 22/28 mpg’s in the 4,700 pound Range Rover equipped with the 8-speed automatic transmission. The current four wheel drive F-150 ranges from 4,300-5,000 pounds, but the 2018 F-150 will use a 10-speed automatic that should help improve gas mileage even more.

So why wouldn’t Ford just shoehorn its current 3.0 liter V6 into the F-150 and call it a day? For starters, this is a relatively old engine by today’s standards, having debuted back in 2004. Engine technology has come a long way since then. And Ford can likely blow those numbers out of the water with a modern diesel engine. All of which is great news for Ford, and bad news for Dodge. Stay tuned!

Brett Foote

Brett Foote has been covering the automotive industry for over five years and is a longtime contributor to Internet Brands’ Auto Group sites, including Chevrolet Forum, Rennlist, and Ford Truck Enthusiasts, among other popular sites.

He has been an automotive enthusiast since the day he came into this world and rode home from the hospital in a first-gen Mustang, and he's been wrenching on them nearly as long.

In addition to his expertise writing about cars, trucks, motorcycles, and every other type of automobile, Brett had spent several years running parts for local auto dealerships.

You can follow along with his builds and various automotive shenanigans on Instagram: @bfoote.