I have heard that the first step to beating an addiction is admitting that you have one. Automotive sales prove that Americans have an addiction to full size pickup trucks. Recent fuel prices have pushed some potential truck buyers into withdrawal as they make more fuel efficient choices. Since full size pickups still drive enormous sales numbers even with gas above $4.00 a gallon (in the US) the challenge is to keep sales high as gas prices continue to rise. As a result, manufacturers have attempted a number of strategies to push up their MPG numbers. Some use packages that push up their economy numbers and others have gone so far to deploy hybrid drivetrains. Ford took a new approach and put a small displacement direct injected V6 with two turbos into the 2011 F-150 and have branded it the F-150 EcoBoost.

During my time with the truck I found myself describing the engine to people who knew nothing about the motor as a diesel design that runs on gasoline. I was shocked at how many well informed “car guys” had no clue what this motor was. I have know about it since it was a very early rumor on the Internet and have spent an unhealthy amount of time watching it progress into a mass produced product. This includes all of Ford’s well-documented torture tests and also their seemly relentless advertising during televised auto races. While it might strange to say that this engine is using diesel technology, with direct injection, water cooled turbos, and a slight whistle while boost builds, it isn’t a giant leap. So has Ford changed the truck game and allowed buyers to fulfill their jones for a full size pickup without the pump penalty? Hit the jump to find out.

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