FORD ANNOUNCES NEW 6.0-LITER POWER STROKE DIESEL TRUCK ENGINE
Source: Ford Motor Company Press ReleasePosted: 05-28-02 14:00

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Ford Motor Company today announced it will introduce an all-new 6.0-liter V-8 diesel engine and a heavy-duty 5-speed automatic transmission beginning in early 2003 for its F-Series Super Duty pickup and Ford Excursion sport-utility vehicle.

The new, more powerful, cleaner 6.0-liter Power Stroke® Diesel and new 5-speed TorqShift® automatic transmission will combine to make a best-in-class 325 horsepower at 3,300 rpm and 550 foot-pounds of torque at 2,000 rpm.

The new diesel will offer up to 10 percent better fuel economy and 20 percent lower emissions. The new diesel also has reduced noise levels and has improved speech intelligibility while driving by more than 20 percent.

“Truck customers are demanding more power, better NVH and increased fuel economy,” said Dave Szczupak, vice president, Powertrain Operations, Ford Motor Company. “By combining best-in-class power, towing capability, fuel economy and more refinement, we are delivering the package our customers want.”

Richard Fotsch, president of International Engine Group, an operating company of Navistar International Corporation and manufacturer of the new Power Stroke Diesel added: “This is a real step forward in diesel technology for our truck customers. We continue to improve performance while at the same time improving fuel economy and meeting clean-air goals.”

The new 6.0-liter Power Stroke V-8 engine is a direct injection, 32-valve diesel with an all-new cast-iron block and cylinder heads. The engine employs a single, block-mounted camshaft in a compact over-head valve (OHV) design, with hydraulic-valve lash adjustment. This proven configuration provides a low-friction and durable valvetrain system and is ideal for engines with a normal operating range of less than 4,000 rpm. This design provides maintenance-free longevity, quiet operation and optimized performance over the life of the engine.

First shown in concept form at the North American International Auto Show in January, as the engine powering Ford's Mighty F-350 Concept Truck, the new 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel incorporates a number of diesel engine innovations, including:

Electronic Variable Response Turbocharging (EVRT™): A system that helps ensure exceptional turbo boost over a wide range of engine revolutions for impressive grade climbing capability, high-altitude performance and towing capability. EVRT employs a set of vanes that automatically adjust to optimize the airflow within the turbo.

Tow-Haul Mode: The new powertrain features a “tow-haul mode” that, once activated, can help increase a driver’s feeling of control when towing large loads up and down steep grades and automatically minimizes shifts and maximizes available torque. Upon descent, the tow-haul mode utilizes engine braking to help extend brake-life and improve driver control.

Hydraulic Rail Fuel Injection: Fuel injectors are actuated by a high-pressure hydraulic rail system that generates injection pressures up to 26,000 psi. The high-pressure fuel is quickly atomized as it is released into the combustion chamber, generating a clean and efficient combustion event.

Pilot Injection: By delivering small quantities of fuel into the combustion chamber prior to the main injection event, the combustion process is both smoother and quieter.

Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EGR): Cooled exhaust gases are re-circulated back into the combustion chamber, lowering the burning temperature of the combustion event and, as a result, reducing oxides of nitrogen (NOx).

Ease of Maintenance: The oil filter is located on top of the engine, so it can be easily removed. An innovatively designed oil cartridge, similar in concept to a printer cartridge, keeps oil self-contained during a filter change and the engine free of dripping oil during routine maintenance.
Diesel market leadership

“The Power Stroke Diesel is the best-selling engine, gas or diesel, in this segment,” said Tim Stoehr, Ford Division Super Duty marketing manager. “Two out of every three F-Series Super Duty trucks we build have a Power Stroke engine. Ford has been offering diesel engines since 1982 and has been the dominant player in the segment. We expect the new 6.0-liter will be very well received, not only by our own customers, but by competitive customers as well.”

Ford's proven diesel powertrain – the current F-Series Super Duty 7.3-liter Power Stroke Diesel – also has been improved five times since its introduction in 1994. Beginning this January, Ford began offering a new best-in-class torque Power Stroke 525, which delivers 525 foot-pounds of torque at just 1,600 rpm on automatic transmission-equipped Super Duty models. The updated powertrain, which includes noise reductions, is rated at 250 horsepower. The 7.3-liter Power Stroke Diesel also is offered as an available engine in Ford E-Series cargo and passenger vans.

“These over-8,500 pound pickup truck customers use their trucks for a variety of purposes,” said Charlie Freese, chief diesel engineer, Ford Motor Company. “Whether it is for commercial use or for towing horse trailers, boats or custom cars, we want our customers to have enough power and low-end torque to get the job done.

“The F-Series Super Duty with a Power Stroke Diesel is a well-proven combination: 98.9 percent of all trucks with Power Stroke Diesel engines built since 1994 are still on the road,” Freese added.

The new 6.0-liter Power Stroke Diesel will be built later this year at Navistar's Indianapolis Engine Plant for high-volume F-Series Super Duty trucks and at its new plant in Huntsville, Ala. for other applications. The 5-speed TorqShift automatic will be built at Ford’s Sharonville (Ohio) Transmission Plant.

The new powertrain will be available on mid-2003 model year F-Series Super Duty and Excursion models.