Ford Adds Two New V-6s for Aluminum F-Series Truck

Ford Motor Co. says buyers of its aluminum-intensive 2015 model F-150 pickup truck can expect V-8-like performance from the model's two new V-6 engines.

The reason: The redesigned F-150 is about 700 lbs lighter than the current model.

The truck's standard 3.5-liter V-6 makes 283 hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The configuration enables a maximum payload of 1,900 lbs and the ability to tow 7,600 lbs, according to Ford.

Ford notes the F-150's lower weight results in a 5% better power-to-weight ratio for the standard 3.5-liter engine than the 3.7-liter V-6 in the current truck.

The 2015 pickup debuts a new twin-turbocharged 2.7-liter V-6 EcoBoost engine that produces 325 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. Ford says the EcoBoost engine hikes the F-150's payload to nearly 2,300 lbs and raises its towing capacity to 8,500 lbs. The new engine is Ford's first F-Series powerplant to make automatic stop-start standard.

Ford says the new F-150 when equipped with the 2.7-liter engine boasts a 15% better power-to-weight ratio than this year's 5.0-liter V-8-powered pickup. Torque is about the same for both engines.