The 2015 Ford F-150 pickup will feature an aluminum alloy body and stronger frame, and it will be available with a new, 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 engine, Ford Motor Co. announced.
The automaker said the new, lighter body material will shave up to 700 pounds from the truck’s weight. The Ford said the aluminum alloy will be used throughout the truck’s body but did not specify which components will be made from the material. The manufacturer said use of aluminum alloy also will improve resistance to corrosion and dents.
Ford truck group marketing manager Doug Scott said the weight saving can be “reinvested” in higher payload and towing capabilities.
Underneath, the truck’s fully boxed frame features more high-strength steel and is rated at up to 70,000 pounds per square inch, Ford said. The frame has eight through-welded crossmembers to improve stiffness and staggered rear outboard shocks to improve stability, Ford said.
The manufacturer also is adding a new, 2.7-liter V-6 to the truck’s engine lineup. The engine will feature Ford’s EcoBoost technology, which employs turbocharging and direct fuel injection to boost performance in smaller displacement engines. It will be the second EcoBoost engine in the F-150 lineup, joining a 3.5-liter variant that has been available since the 2011 model year. A naturally aspirated 3.5-liter V-6 remains the base engine, and a 5.0-liter V-8 also is available. A 6.2-liter V-8 is no longer available.
Other new features include a trailer-hitch assist option that adds a graphic line based on steering wheel angle to the backup camera display. It is designed to help drivers connect to a trailer without the aid of a spotter, Ford said. A new trailer tow module, meanwhile, features a wiring harness that can identify potential connectivity issues and notify the driver. These may include burned out light bulbs or batter issues.
Also available are integrated loading ramps and a series of metal brackets and cleats in the bed to help secure loads, the manufacturer said.
