Ford adds diesel engine to F-150 bakkie for the first time

Detroit - Ford is offering a diesel engine in its F-150 pickup for the first time.

Heavy duty trucks like the F-250 or F-350 have always had diesel engines, but full-size trucks like the F-150 have not. Ford is hoping to gain some customers from rivals Ram and Nissan, which both offer diesels in their full-size trucks.

The F-150 is the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.

Ford expects the F-150 to get 48km for every 3.8-litres of fuel on the highway with the new 3.0-litre V6 diesel and a 10-speed transmission.

The company offers six engine choices for the F-150. It says the diesel is targeted at customers who tow or haul big loads and want better fuel economy.

Ford expects around 5% of F-150 buyers will opt for the diesel, which costs $4000 on the Lariat and Platinum versions or $3000 on the King Ranch.

Here are more details about the F-150 diesel:

- Customers can order a diesel F-150 starting this month. Deliveries will begin in the spring.

-  The diesel will put out 186kW.

- It can tow up to 5170 kg and has a 916kg payload capacity.

- Ford says the team that designed the 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 diesel for its heavy-duty trucks designed the engine for the F-150.

- Retail customers can only get the diesel on higher trim levels. Fleet customers will be able to opt for it on the lower XL and XLT trims.