V8 grunt for Ford tow tug

Thankfully, there’s no replacement for displacement – at least in load-lugging terms.

Ford has defied the downsizing and electrification trend by confirming details of an all-new petrol-powered V8, a 7.3-litre unit that will do duty in the 2020 F-Series pick-up in the US.

The Windsor built engine will be fit standard to Ford’s tough-as-nails F-550, F-650 and F-750 Medium Duty trucks and E-Series, and F-53 and F-59 stripped chassis, offering 320kW and 645Nm and sending drive via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

While the figures are hardly astronomical – in fact, power is nearly matched by the newfour-cylinder turbo Mercedes-AMG A 45 S– Ford is keen to point out the unit is “designed for robust power, long-term durability and ease of service that truck owners demand in both personal and business applications”.

“The 7.3-litre is designed for maximum durability in the harshest environments given that our customers live and work in these conditions every day,” said Joel Beltramo, Ford manager for gas V8 engines. “This engine has the largest displacement in its class and is designed to provide benefits in key areas like power, durability, ease of maintenance and total operating costs.”

The 7.3-liter V8 features an overhead valve architecture that generates power low in the rev range to help get heavier loads moving sooner and with greater confidence. It also features a variable-displacement oil pump, extra-large main bearings, forged steel crankshaft for durability, and piston cooling jets to help manage temperatures under heavy load.

Ford says the engine will be available first in Super Duty F-250 and F-350 pickup models, alongside the existing 6.2-litre V8 third-generation 6.7-litre Power Stroke diesel V8.

Ford is yet to disclose proper towing and payload credentials for the 7.3-litre engine, nor has it provided an official fuel consumption figure.

For large capacity and big towing enthusiasts, it likely won’t matter.