Ford to introduce F-150 with diesel engine by 2009

[Orange Crush]

Originally Posted by red_rider_elsinore

Jeep offers their Liberty SUV with a diesel engine option. It gets better mileage, but is slower and doesn't have a higher tow rating. I tow a 7200lbs dry Toy Box so I would like a diesel just to tow, but not for daily driving. I have a bigger problem with the payload capacity of my truck than the towing capacity. We all fell in love with the acceleration of our trucks and we would lose that if we go to a diesel. Diesels have great hop-up potential, but stock they're not too fast. Diesels are great for fuel mileage but are very dirty engines. Maybe if the f-150 adds a 6spd auto with the diesel and ups the payload and towing capacity, I would jump ship.

Liberty's 2.8-liter, four-cylinder, Italian diesel. Rated 21 mpg in town, 26 on the highway. The Liberty CRD is rated 160 horsepower and 295 pounds-feet of torque.

For comparison, the 3.7-liter gasoline V-6 Liberty with 4x4 and automatic transmition has an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway. The 3.7-liter gasoline V-6 in most Liberty models is rated 210 hp, 235 lbs.-ft. Liberty CRD's extra torque can't be fully used. The vehicle is limited to the same towing and hauling maximums as the gas model: 5,000 pounds and 1,150 pounds.

Jeep's worried that elevating the towing maximum would encourage people to hitch up long, heavy trailers and the tail would wag the dog going down the road.

The thriftiest gas Liberty — 4-cylinder, manual transmition, 2-wheel drive — has a rating of 20 city, 24 highway.

http://www.usatoday.com/money/autos/...-liberty_x.htm