2021 FORD F-150 DROPS 3.0L POWERSTROKE DIESEL ENGINE

Ford Motor Company has opted to suddenly remove the 3.0L Power Stroke V6 diesel engine option for the 2021 Ford F-150 pickup truck. According to a dealer memo, the diesel has been choked out by the truck’s existing 2.7L and 3.5L EcoBoost V6 engine offerings, as well as the entry of the PowerBoost hybrid option. Add the 5.0L Coyote V8 in the mix, and there simply just might not have been enough room for the diesel in the lineup.

According to a dealer memo first posted on F-150 Gen14, final orders for the 2021 Ford F-150 Power Stroke will need to be placed by July 16, 2021. The memo cites both the “global semiconductor shortage, and to maximize production to meet customer demand.”

2021 Ford F-150 Power Stroke Specs

The 3.0L Power Stroke V6 diesel engine in the 2021 Ford F-150 is good for 250 horsepower, and 440 lb-ft of torque. Paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission, the engine can return an EPA-estimated 20 mpg city, and 27 mpg highway. The highway number is the highest of the entire F-150 fleet, but the F-150 PowerBoost delivers better fuel estimated fuel economy overall (25 mpg combined vs. the diesel’s 23).

A 2021 Ford F-150 Power Stroke diesel can also tow up to 12,100 pounds with the optional 3.55 gear ratio, while max payload comes in at 1,840 pounds. Both numbers vary depending on the configurations.

3.0L V6 Diesel Faced Pricing Headwinds

The Power Stroke diesel V6 came in both SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations, but commanded a $4,995 premium on an F-150 XL. That’s compared to $1,195 for a 2.7L V6 EcoBoost option with 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, $2,595 for a 3.5L EcoBoost with 400 hp and 510 lb-ft, and just $1,195 for the velvety power delivery of the 400 hp, 410 lb-ft 5.0L Coyote V8. Most engine prices drop by $1,195 on the 2021 F-150 Lariat SuperCab trim level, as well as upgrading to the SuperCrew bodystyle. The PowerBoost hybrid system – delivering 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque – undercuts the diesel by $500 on various trim levels where available.

In other words, the 3.0L Power Stroke diesel was the most expensive engine of the entire 2021 Ford F-150 lineup.

Couple that with hostile regulations towards diesel engines, more competitive diesel truck pricing found at General Motors, and a perceived lack of marketing for the diesel in favor of the PowerBoost hybrid and its trick 7.2 kWh onboard inverter generator, and the plucky oil burner appears to have been left with few ways to win.

F-150 Power Stroke Is Only Three Years Old

The Power Stroke V6 was only made available as recently as 2018, in the last-generation F-150. The block is made up of compacted-graphite iron block material construction and forged-steel crank. Adding boost to the engine is a variable-geometry turbocharger. A common-rail fuel injection system runs at 29,000 pounds per square inch injection. Dual fuel filters are added for improved break-in, while a cast-aluminum oil pan and two-stage oil pump mean reduced parasitic loss and improved fuel efficiency.

We’ve reached out to Ford for official comment, and we’ll update this space if/when we hear back.