Ford just added a new EcoBoost engine to the F-150 pickup for 2017, but the automaker isn’t exactly resting on its laurels for the 2018 model year. This is the top-selling vehicle in America, after all, and it’ll be getting a bit of a facelift next year to keep things fresh. The F-150 was fully redesigned for the 2015 model year, so this will be its first visual update since then, although it’s received new features and trim levels over the intervening period.

We have to squint behind the F-150’s camouflage to see the front-end changes, but we expect reshaped headlights that will mimic those seen on its big brother, Super Duty, with prominent squared-off LED accent lights. The F-150’s grille might look a bit different, too, because it seems that more chrome is always better in the pickup world. Expect new taillights, different wheel designs, and some minor interior tweaks as well.

View Photos CHRIS DOANE AUTOMOTIVE, KGP PHOTOGRAPHY

The big news is the addition of a new diesel V-6 engine to go up against the Ram 1500 EcoDiesel, which is the only half-ton pickup that currently offers a compression-ignition option. Our spy photographers captured further proof that this new powertrain will make its way into the F-150, as photos of a test mule show stickers on the dashboard reading “Diesel Fuel Only!” and a fuel-filler cap with “Diesel” prominently displayed. There’s also a clear shot of the engine, which is the same 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6 engine used in Land Rover Td6 models (the engine was a joint project between Ford and PSA Peugeot Citroën).

Somewhat complicated lineage aside, the diesel V-6 should put up some impressive torque numbers—it makes about 440 lb-ft in its various Range Rover applications—along with strong highway fuel economy. If it wants to take the full-size-pickup fuel-economy crown from the Ram, it’ll have to beat the 29 mpg offered by the special HFE model, which comes with some aerodynamic optimization features such as a tonneau cover to eke out extra mpg in EPA testing (the standard Ram EcoDiesel can achieve up to 28 mpg—still impressive). We have no idea how Ford will package the diesel option or on which body styles it will be offered. Expect it to cost a bit extra over the 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 options and to come standard with Ford’s new 10-speed automatic transmission.

Don’t look for too many changes to the gasoline-powered F-150’s powertrain lineup, which likely still will include the standard naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6, a naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8, the 2.7-liter EcoBoost, and the recently revised 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 with more power and torque than before. The only change we might anticipate is expanded availability for the new 10-speed automatic that’s currently only available with the 3.5 EcoBoost; it may make it to other engine choices for 2018.

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