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Ford Lion Diesel Family

Lion Diesel V-6 & V-8 Overview

Ford Motor Company has displayed an off-and-on interest in bringing a diesel option to 1/2 ton F-150 models for nearly a decade. Ford is also in a strategic position, as they're global portfolio includes the "Lion" diesel engine platform, a series of V-6 and V-8 diesel mills used in various pickup and SUV applications outside of Ford's U.S. operations. Diesel powered vehicles are widely popular in the global marketplace, praised for their efficiency and versatility. While economic woes previously severed Ford's plans to bring a diesel to the F-150, rumors are surfacing that prototypes are under development and that the engine of choice will be a rendition of the Lion V-6.

Note - some aspects of this article are either outdated or irrelevant. For information on the Ford F-150's diesel option, see: 3.0L Power Stroke Diesel Specs

After suspending original plans for a diesel powered F-150, Ford invested considerably in the EcoBoost gasoline engine concept. Widely popular, EcoBoost engines feature twin turbochargers, direct injection, and an extremely flat torque curve that resembles that you would expect from a diesel motor. Ford offers two V-6 EcoBoost engines in the F-150, the smaller of which leads the model line in fuel economy while managing to produce 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque. Ford's investment in smaller, forced induction gas engines certainly suppressed the potential for a diesel, but the company is slowly moving towards embracing diesel technologies in their fleet. A 3.2L inline 5 cylinder Power Stroke became optional in the Ford Transit, although it's widely believed that this will not be the engine of choice for the fullsize F-150. Popularity of Ram's EcoDiesel and General Motors' Canyon/Colorado midsize pickup are likely to fuel additional competition in the diesel pickup category.

Ford 2.7L Lion V-6 Diesel Specs

Configuration:

60° V-6 diesel

Displacement:

2.7 liters, 166 cid

Block/Head Material:

• Compact graphite iron (CGI) block
• Cast aluminum cylinder heads

Bore x Stroke:

3.19 in x 3.47 in

Injection:

Piezo injectors, high pressure common rail

Aspiration:

• Twin variable geometry turbochargers (VGT)
and single variable geometry turbocharger (VGT) versions
• Intercooler (air-to-air)

Valvetrain:

24 valve dual overhead camshaft (DOHC)

Horsepower:

Approx. 207 hp @ 4,000 rpm

Torque:

Approx. 320 lb-ft. @ 1,900 rpm

Ford 3.0L Lion V-6 Diesel Specs

Configuration:

60° V-6

Displacement:

3.0 liters, 183 cid

Block/Head Material:

CGI engine block, aluminum cylinder heads

Bore x Stroke:

3.31 in x 3.54 in

Injection:

29,000 psi high pressure common rail, Piezo injectors

Aspiration:

Twin variable geometry turbochargers (VGT), air-to-air intercooler

Valvetrain:

DOHC, 4v per cylinder

Horsepower:

237 - 271 hp @ 4,000 rpm

Torque:

330 - 443 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm

Ford 3.6L Lion V-8 Diesel Specs

Configuration:

60° V-8 diesel

Displacement:

3.6 liters, 222 cid

Block/Head Material:

• Compact graphite iron (CGI) block
• Cast aluminum cylinder heads

Bore x Stroke:

3.19 in x 3.47 in

Injection:

Piezo injectors, high pressure common rail

Aspiration:

• Twin variable geometry turbochargers (VGT)
• Intercooler (air-to-air)

Valvetrain:

32 valve dual overhead camshaft (DOHC)

Horsepower:

Approx. 272 hp @ 4,000 rpm

Torque:

Approx. 472 lb-ft. @ 1,900 rpm

Ford 4.4L Lion V-8 Diesel Specs

Configuration:

60 degree V-8 diesel

Displacement:

4.4 liters, 296 cid

Block/Head Material:

• Compact graphite iron (CGI) block
• Cast aluminum cylinder heads

Bore x Stroke:

3.19 in x 4.63 in

Injection:

Piezo injectors, high pressure common rail

Aspiration:

• Twin variable geometry turbochargers (VGT)
• Intercooler (air-to-air)

Valvetrain:

32 valve dual overhead camshaft (DOHC)

Horsepower:

Approx. 325 hp @ 4,000 rpm

Torque:

Approx. 515 lb-ft. @ 1,900 rpm

Ford's family of Lion diesel engines are all based on the same general engine architecture and were designed in conjunction with PSA Peugeot. Compact graphite iron (CGI) blocks and aluminum cylinder heads keep the engine weight down, making them ideal candidates for use in light pickups like the Ford F-150, as well as smaller SUVs and sedans. The engines have all been offered in various vehicles from Jaguar, PSA Peugeot, & Land Rover vehicles. The 4.4L Lion V-8 was responsible for a lawsuit between Navistar/International and Ford Motor Company, in which Navistar claimed that it was their engineers who came up with idea of increasing the stroke of the 3.6L to build the 4.4L. Navistar claimed breach of contract when Ford decided to produce the engine without their support. In meeting strict emissions requirements in the U.S., the engines are expected to require advanced aftertreatment equipment, which would include the use of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF).