2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost

Ford completely revamped the F-150 powertrain lineup by offering four new engines, including a new all-aluminum 3.7-liter DOHC V-6, an all-aluminum 5.0-liter DOHC V-8, an all-new all-aluminum 3.5-liter EcoBoost direct-injection twin turbo DOHC V-6, and the 6.2-liter SOHC V-8 we've already seen in the Raptor and new Super Dutys. To counter their skepticism, Ford marketing gurus (no doubt after consulting with several engineers) have devised a multi-stage torture test worthy of the Marquis de Sade.

The fourth option: Ford's 3.5-liter, twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, an unlikely but completely common-sense alternative to V-8 thirst and thin V-6 torque.

It's a careful step into the future of truck performance by Ford. The new EcoBoost engine, in this application, breathes out 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque. Twinned with the new standard six-speed automatic, the "F-150 EcoBoost" power is essentially V-8-like down low, where it counts. The turbos are staged to deliver a groundswell of torque at low engine speeds (90 percent of it comes as low as 1750 rpm), and Ford's making some fast rear-axle ratios available to maximize the grunt for EcoBoost buyers doing medium- to heavy-duty chores.

It's not light on talent, either: the massive torque means some versions of the EcoBoost-equipped F-150 will tow 11,300 pounds. As for fuel economy, Ford's predicting class-leading gas mileage, though the final numbers won't be released until early next year, when the EcoBoost F-150 goes on sale. When all's said and tabulated in Excel, the EcoBoost engine will be offered on 91 percent of the 2011 F-150's model variants.

It's an important step in Ford's transition up the fuel-economy ladder--and up a few performance rungs, too. If you can leap the psychological hurdle of picking a V-6 full-size truck instead of being stuck with one, the "F-150 EcoBoost" won't leave you lagging behind.

Pickup-truck buyers, after all, notoriously favor the tried-and-true. Ford understands that traditionalists will take some convincing, and it doesn’t help matters that the EcoBoost will command $1750 more than the 3.7-liter V-6 and $750 more than the 5.0-liter V-8. Deceptively Powerful

The EcoBoost, as with all other F-150 engines, is mated solely to Ford’s updated 6R80 six-speed automatic transmission with manumatic shifting; the blown engine is available in nearly every body configuration with either rear- or four-wheel drive.

We drove several F-150 models—as well as competitive trucks—both unladen and towing trailers weighing up to 6700 pounds, and the EcoBoost felt noticeably strong and never seemed to run out of breath. Ford says 90 percent of the engine’s torque is on tap from 1700 rpm to 5000. Capable of tugging 11,300 pounds or carrying 3060 in the bed—both best in the segment—the F-150 EcoBoost managed Ford’s trailers with ease, chugging along smoothly in top gear on uphill highway sections.

An off-road setting tracks the truck’s vertical and lateral movements. The least expensive F-150 EcoBoost variant is a $25,440 regular-cab XL with rear-wheel drive and an eight-foot bed; the priciest is a four-wheel-drive Platinum SuperCrew with a 6.5-foot bed, which starts at $48,770.