CAUGHT! Ford's Coyote Engine

By The Editors of Truck Trend
Photography by Brenda Priddy & Co.
This is an early photo of the Coyote 5.0-liter V-8 engine in the bay of a Ford F-150. The plan is apparently to phase out the current 4.6-liter and 5.4-liter eight-cylinder engines and replace them with the Coyote V-8 in 2010. The engine will be shared with the Mustang and is expected to produce approximately 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque. The Mustang engine we spied earlier appeared to have an aluminum intake manifold while the 5.0-liter V-8 in the F-150 looks to have a composite intake manifold. Ford is testing the engine in every trim level of F-150, plus one very interesting test truck with seven-lug wheels—an indication the 5.0-liter V-8 might power a heavy-duty payload package version of the half-ton.

Unlike the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 scheduled to arrive in late 2010 for the F-150, the 5.0-liter Coyote V-8 won't use direct injection or turbocharging. It's a naturally aspirated motor with fuel economy that's expected to be comparable to the current 5.4-liter V-8's. It's also expected to use a cast-aluminum engine block instead of iron, to help save weight.

The 5.0-liter V-8 is said to produce power levels that are in the same neighborhood as the larger 6.2-liter V-8 that arrives in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in February, and the 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine.

Our sources tell us Ford is already working on a version of the Coyote V-8 that will separate itself from the rest of the future V-8 engine lineup. In cartoons, the Coyote is beat only by a Road Runner. Look for a twin-turbo 5.0-liter Road Runner V-8to debut first in the Mustang GT500 by 2013 and possibly, in F-150 Harley-Davidson edition pickups.

To see the full photos, you'll have to check out the latest January/February 2010 issue of Truck Trend!

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