In a bid to increase fuel economy, the 2015 Ford F-150 full-size pickup truck relies more heavily than ever on downsized engines.
That’s left some wondering whether the new F-150 will have the capability truck buyers expect.
Well, the numbers for the all-new 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost V6 and naturally-aspirated 3.5-liter V6 are in.
The smaller turbo engine produces 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque which, Ford claims, gives the 2.7-liter 2015 F-150 a better power-to-weight ratio than a 2014 F-150 equipped with the 5.0-liter V8.
That grunt allows for a maximum payload rating of 2,250 pounds and a max tow rating of 8,500 pounds with rear-wheel drive, or 2,160 and 8,400 pounds with four-wheel drive.
That leaves the F-150 2.7-liter EcoBoost in competition with the 2014 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. As the most fuel-efficient full-size truck currently available, it’s the best yardstick for the new Ford.
The Ram’s 3.0-liter turbodiesel V6 produces 240 horsepower and a stump-pulling 420 pound-feet of torque. With four-wheel drive, it’s max payload rating is 1,620 pounds, while its max tow rating is 9,050 pounds.
However, the point of buying a big truck with a small engine is fuel economy, and Ford hasn’t released those figures yet.
The Ram EcoDiesel managed 28 mpg highway in EPA testing. Can the turbocharged gasoline F-150 beat it?
The 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 gets the majority of the attention, but the 2015 F-150 will come standard with a 3.5-liter mill.
This engine replaces the 3.7-liter V6 offered in the 2014 F-150 and, naturally, Ford is predicting improved efficiency.
However, with 283 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque, the new engine is a little down on power compared to the outgoing 3.7-liter V6’s 302 hp and 278 lb-ft.
Ford claims a 5 percent improvement in power-to-weight ratio, though. Maximum payload capacity is 1,910 pounds, while max towing capacity is 7,600 pounds.
In addition to the two new engines, the 2015 F-150 will be offered with a 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and a 5.0-liter V8 that carry over from the 2014 model.
The new F-150 also sports an aluminum body – which Ford says will trim up to 700 pounds compared to previous models – and a host of new safety and convenience tech.
That should leave buyers with a lot to think about when this truck hits showrooms. The F-150 is the best selling vehicle in the U.S., so the stakes couldn’t be higher for Ford.
