DEARBORN, MI – Ford announces power ratings for two of the engines available in the upcoming ’15 F-150 as well as the weight reduction of the new aluminum-intensive pickup compared to its predecessor.
The all-new 2.7L EcoBoost V-6, which comes standard with auto stop/start, will make 325 hp and 375 lb.-ft. (508 Nm) of torque, while the base 3.5L V-6 will produce 283 hp and 255 lb.-ft. (345 Nm). Ford has yet to release fuel-economy ratings for the engines or power numbers for two additional F-150 engines, a 5.0L V-8 and a 3.5L EcoBoost V-6.
Doug Scott, truck marketing manager, says the 3.5L will be a favorite among fleet operators who tow less than 5,000 lbs. (2,268 kg) and haul less than 1,000 lbs. (453 kg). The 2.7L EcoBoost is expected to appeal to core customers who don’t need maximum towing capacity but want the performance and efficiency of an engine that produces power similar to a midrange V-8.
The 5.0L V-8 and 3.5L V-6 will be the volume engines, purchased by consumers who need the most capability.
Scott points out the 2.7L makes more power than the Toyota Tacoma’s 2.7L 4-cyl. engine that produces 150 hp and 180 lb.-ft. (244 Nm) of torque. But the Ford mill falls short of the 355 hp and 383 lb.-ft (519 Nm) of torque made by the Chevrolet Silverado’s 5.3L V-8.
But the ’15 F-150 is not about power numbers, but power-to-weight ratio. Scott says in the past automakers were fixated on trying to one-up each other in engine output.
The new F-150 will be on average 732 lbs. (332 kg) lighter than the model it replaces. Weight savings will vary by models with different cab configurations and engines, Scott says.
Marketing the ’15 F-150 represents a “paradigm shift” by Ford, Scott says, noting it’s up to him and his team to educate customers about a lighter truck.
“I think generally speaking people understand power-to-weight ratio, but it will take some work,” he tells WardsAuto. “It’s not as simple as flashing a (a power number) on the screen. Now I have to talk about how we’ve taken advantage of the weight savings to give better capability with less raw horsepower or torque.”
The ’15 F-150 will be produced at Ford’s Dearborn, MI, and Kansas City assembly plants and launch in the fourth quarter. Pricing will be announced close to the on-sale date.
