Ford is finally releasing more juicy details about the all-new 2015 Ford F-150. This time it’s about the engine. The big news is the all-new 2.7L EcoBoost V6. Ford takes what it learned from the successful 3.5L turbo-charged EcoBoost and applies it on a slightly smaller scale. Efficiency is one of the driving factors, and the 2015 F-150 is taking giant steps to improve the fuel economy while also retaining or improving the capability. One of the steps is the use of high-strength steel for the frame and the all-aluminum body for reduced weight.
Ford is showing the significant weight savings by weighting the 2015 and 2014 F-150 side-by-side. This image shows that the new pickup weighs in 732 pounds less than the similarly equipped truck it replaces. That is around 13% of weight saving. This is very important for performance and fuel economy. Ford says that it’s also a lot of watermelons!
What about the 2.7L EcoBoost power and capability? This little guy is rated at 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. That is more power that any normally aspirated V6 and even more than some V8s out there! Ford says that the 2015 F-150 with the 2.7L EcoBoost will be rated at 2,250 lbs of maximum payload and 8,500 lbs of maximum towing for the 4×2 model. The numbers go down slightly to 2,160 lbs and 8,400 lbs for the 4×4 model. This should satisfy most jobs and recreational activities. We learned the seemingly endless power of the 3.5L EcoBoost at the Ike Gauntlet extreme towing test. Forced induction is so helpful at high altitudes.
Ford also announced the power rating for the base 3.5L normally aspirated V6. The weight savings allowed Ford to replace the 3.7L V6 in the 2014 F-150. The smaller Ti-VCT equipped V6 should offer better performance and efficiency in the new truck. The 3.5L makes 283 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. It has a maximum payload of 1,910 pounds and a maximum tow rating of 7,600 pounds.
Unfortunetly, we do not yet know the fuel economy estimates, pricing, or the specifications for the new 3.5L EcoBoost V6 and the Coyote 5.0L V8 that return to the 2015 F-150.
Learn a lot more details about the fully redesigned 2015 Ford F-150 from this Chicago Auto Show video.
Also, watch the Detroit Auto Show reveal presentation of the truck.
Andre Smirnov is a life-long automotive enthusiast, writer, reporter, and software engineer. He has been a contributor at TFL since 2011. When not working or spending time with the family – you can find him tinkering in the garage or simply ‘going for a drive’.
