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Ford suspends Boss V8 program

 
11 4,661 views June 23, 2008

Ford suspends Boss V8 program

Ford suspends Boss V8 program

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Falling demand for powerful pickups and SUVs plus soaring fuel prices has forced Ford to rethink its big-block V8 program and will likely see it stop production of some powertrain units in coming months. Inside sources have revealed that suppliers have been asked to stop production of a new 6.2L V8 engine that was earmarked for the next-generation F-series pickup range early next year.

The engine has already been cancelled for the new F-150 model and the rest of the F-series Super Duty pickups will likely miss out as well, reports Automotive News. The new big-block engine was planned to go into the next-generation Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator fullsize SUV as well as, and were designed to compete with GM’s range of high-capacity LS engines.

The engine program, originally known as Hurricane and then renamed Boss, was shelved back in 2005 but was reinstated by Ford exec Mark Fields to help boost the carmaker’s performance image. Fields remains confident that the program is still in place, telling media that the program is moving forward but with lower volumes and only one displacement size.

If it survives, the new Boss engine is likely to appear in the 2010 redesigned Mustang and could be downsized to just 5.0L in displacement.



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Comments (11)

  1. By Michael D. Posted: 6/23/2008 9:38am PDT

    I hope ford isn't selling or caving out here, it appears so.
    In a given vehicle, a smaller engine would have to work harder to maintain the same demands, resulting in no significant, if any, fuel savings.
     
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  2. By Michael D. Posted: 6/23/2008 9:39am PDT

    The first line should have read:
    I hope Ford isn’t selling out, or caving out here, it appears so.
     
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  3. By chris Posted: 6/23/2008 9:52am PDT

    Michael, the point is what that engine is doing when it isn't working at maximum.

    This isn't that big of a problem really. the 5L and 6.2L would be the same architecture, making it very easy to make the 6.2L for custom jobs, with the 5L parts bin being so close. You can bet your ass that guys like gus are going to keep demand for a "five oh" going... the 5L was the most exciting thing to happen to the mustang since the 427, and you can bet that people are going to want to relive that even at $5/gal.

    that 6.2L will still be very close... up on the shelf one might say... if ford ever wants to make their own ZR1, and you KNOW it's going to be good for an Ecobooster, cause the new "lightning" is supposed to get an Ecoboost 5L.

    The problem with ford right now is that they don't need an unobtainable halo car. they need great products, that sell in numbers.
     
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  4. By Stephen Posted: 6/23/2008 10:13am PDT

    I understand them dumping their programs for SUV's and pickups. That cash cow is dead, but they should look at making this engine for a great sports car. I'm not saying they have to compete with the ZR1 or Viper SRT-10 but at least compete with the Z06. The Mustang looks great but isn't very fast in a straight line and handles atrociously. They should make the Mustanf faster AND make a great sport cars with that new 6.2 V8.
     
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  5. By Swoosh Posted: 6/23/2008 10:38am PDT

    What I don't understand is why not Diesel? Why are these "trucks and SUVs" running high capacity petrol engines and not Diesel. There is no way you can get more then 10mpg with these engines.

    A V8 Turbo Diesel solves these problems in one go. You get better fuel economy and the market might be able to bounce back from the fuel crisis.
     
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  6. By chris Posted: 6/23/2008 10:40am PDT

    ...I was just thinking about this one...........

    Shelby. G. R. 1.

    It was originally conceptualized with a 6.4L V10... well... that engine's all but dead.. I think this 6.2L would do. and I don't know if this is my love of ford talking but I'd prefer the GR1 over the viper OR the ZR1. AND... the GR1 runs on the same platform that the GT used.... hellllllooooooooooooooooo....

    Stephen, as far as making a 400 hp mustang, that 5L should do just fine. I suspect an ecoboost should pump it up to GT500 or KR territory.
     
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  7. By bambam Posted: 6/23/2008 10:45am PDT

    Yeah its good to suspend drop the work load or work force down for now. But I don't think you should stop it or dismantle it unless you're sure your not coming back here again.
     
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  8. By chris Posted: 6/23/2008 10:57am PDT

    bam, like i said, they're just dropping a small part of the program. they're still making the 5L V8... that's going to be THE ford v8 of the future. developing the 5L is still going to take a lot of commitment, and they need a V8... making the 6.2L after that is pennies on the dollar. literally.

    It's the same idea as the previous generation modular V8's,.. or vehicle platforms.. lots of development for one platform instead of one vehicle,.. then you make many products out of the same program.

    If they need a 6.2L monster V8, it's available.

    Stephen, 10 mpg is a little low but yeah you end up getting something like 15 mpg in a big SUV with a large displacement V8. the problem is that diesel isn't a cheaper alternative in the USA.. it's 20% more efficient but 20% more costly. what we need is smaller forced induction engines. plain and simple.
     
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  9. By chris Posted: 6/23/2008 10:59am PDT

    I forgot to add another point.. the BOSS engines were designed for Ecoboost, so if you consider a 5LV8 with ecoboost over a 6.2L V8 without it, you're talking similar power figures, but significantly lower fuel consumption on the 5L when you're talking low load situations. that 6.2L would essentially be wasteful unless they ecoboost that as well. or, like i said, make for a great low production hand build super-roadster.
     
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  10. By Michael D. Posted: 6/23/2008 12:04pm PDT

    The SUV's (Expedition & Navigator) both do need greater powerplants than the 300hp units that they have, especially to compete with GM's offerings, and others as well. Perhaps the upcoming 5.0L V8 successor will answer that question, as well as an upcoming Diesel, which has been reported for use in Pick-ups and full-sized SUVs. Who knows, perhaps the new 5.0L could be Eco-boosted, as well for higher editions.
     
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  11. By chris Posted: 6/24/2008 1:21pm PDT

    Michael; the BOSS engines were designed with ecoboost in mind. you can rest assured that a lincoln navigator with a 550 hp 5L V8 would definitely go. The point here is, how many people are going to be buying it. I suspect that SUV sales are going to become more or less "niche".. This 5L will end up in the mustang, 9 times out of 10.
     
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