Fuel Efficient F-150 model to be launched (gets 21mpg highway)

DEARBORN, Michigan — Ford on Thursday introduced a new tactic in the struggle to keep American consumers interested in big, thirsty pickups: a 2009 Ford F-150 SFE or "superior fuel economy" edition that the automaker says delivers 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

As of Thursday morning, the EPA — the gold standard when it comes to rating fuel economy — had yet to confirm fuel economy numbers for the F-150 SFE on its Web site.

Ford said the new SFE package will be offered on F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4x2 pickups with 4.6-liter V8 engines and 5.5-foot beds. The SFE gets the new six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.15:1 rear axle and 18-inch chrome-clad aluminum wheels with low-rolling-resistance tires. It will be a no-cost option on XLT SuperCrew pickups with the chrome package and will cost $1,095 when ordered on XL SuperCrew pickups with the decor package.

"Fuel economy has moved from 10th to 3rd place among pickup buyers' top purchase considerations — right behind durability and value," said Matt O'Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer.

The EPA says a 2009 Ford F-150 2WD with a 4.6-liter V8 and six-speed automatic transmission delivers 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The same truck in 4WD configuration delivers 14 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. The 2009 Ford F150 4WD with a 4.6-liter V8 and four-speed automatic transmission delivers 14 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, says the EPA.

The EPA notes that a 2009 Ford F-150 FFV or flex-fuel vehicle in 2WD configuration running on E85 delivers 10 mpg in the city and 14 mpg on the highway. A 4WD version of the same truck delivers 10 mpg in the city and 13 mpg on the highway.

The 2008 Ford F-150 2WD with a 5.4-liter V8 and four-speed automatic transmission delivers 13 mpg in the city and 17 mpg on the highway. Ford describes this version as a "high volume" model.

Ford says an 8 percent improvement in fuel economy across the entire lineup of V8 F-150s is the "result of using lightweight ultra-high-strength steel to lighten the truck up to 100 pounds versus the current model and aerodynamic refinements."

"The F-150 also regulates gas consumption by using aggressive deceleration fuel shutoff," Ford noted in a statement. "The fuel shutoff is automatic and requires no unusual actions from the driver."

What this means to you: Ford takes the sting out of high gas prices — somewhat — with a new iteration of its 2009 F-150.