Not too long ago, Ford put together the EcoBoost Challenge to prove just how efficient a full size pickup truck can be. Eight trucks were distributed to fans around the country with the purpose of achieving the most miles per gallon out of equally equipped pickups. Carlee Mallard, a Raleigh-Durham, N.C. resident and YMCA community leader, took first place by averaging 28.3 mpg in the 2011 Ford F150 EcoBoost two wheel drive.
“I was definitely impressed with how far I could stretch the gas. I didn’t have to fuel up once during the whole contest,” said Mallard. “To help boost the fuel economy, I never used air conditioning. I drove mostly on the highway at speeds between 50 and 55 mph because I wanted to avoid stoplights and stop signs.”
28.3 mpg is highly impressive when looking at the F150 EcoBoost strictly on paper. After all, this is still a full size truck weighing more than 5,000 lbs that is capable towing 11,300 lbs and hauling 3,060 lbs worth of payload. The high average can best attested to the EcoBoost’s 3.5 liter, twin turbocharged V6 that produces 420 lb-ft of torque. The EPA rates the truck at 22 mpg on the highway, but as Carlee Mallard proved, that rating is easy to beat.
Source: Ford
