JasonH
Full Access Members
I see a big advantage over the 3.5. No turbos and it's a V-8. This will sell in the truck Market. People are still pissed that they can't get a V8 in their F-150s! Most people don't want turbos on their truck unless it's a diesel. Turbos are for performance cars and for play toys not for daily drivers or things you want to go a quarter of a million miles without repairs.
The majority of people who drive trucks don't care near as much about mileage as they do about a nice set of wheels and tires or bigger wheels and tires.
Powerful V8 in trucks is a smart move for Ford.
The F150 still has the 5.0 V8 engine as an option. You may have been referring to the Raptor. The F150 has six engines choices, with the 3.5 at the top and the 5.0 just below. The two turbo engines (2.7 and 3.5) were over 60% of the F150 sales mix, so they've been really popular options. This new 6.8 engine may be a 7th option, as the power output will be similar to the 5.0 and the 6.2 was taken off the option sheet. It might even replace the existing 5.0, since that engine is really close to the 3.5 in power, but down on torque. A 6.8 would mean greater performance parity between the 3.5 and V8 alternative, with more serviceability and durability from the 6.8. Either way it shakes out, it's nice to have choices.