Car News

Ford Extends F-150 Diesel Option to XLT Trim

Ford Motor Company of Canada today announced it has expanded availability of the F-150 pickup's diesel V6 to the truck's XLT trim.

Previously, Ford offered the light-duty diesel in the F-150's posher Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum grades. Ford says that putting the diesel on the XLT's option sheet "expands F-150's power of choice to the bulk of our (pickup) customers."

Ford added the engine to the F-150 lineup in 2018, at which point the 3.0 L became the pickup's most fuel-efficient option. According to Ford's 2019 fuel consumption estimates, the little diesel's ratings are 10.8/8.0 L/100 km (city/highway) when installed in a 2WD model. The engine generates 250 hp and 440 lb-ft of torque.

F-150's other engines include gas-fueled 2.7 L and 3.5 L turbo V6s and a 5.0 L V8.

The move follows the Chevrolet Silverado 1500's recent addition of a Duramax 3.0L inline six diesel, which outpowers the F-150's Power Stroke with 277 hp and 460 lb-ft. Chevrolet has not released fuel consumption estimates for its diesel.

Ford and Chevrolet are the only full-size truck makers offer diesel power in the Canadian market. Ram was first with its Ecodiesel in 2014, but Ram has since discontinued that engine in favour of a mild-hybrid system that works with a gas V6.