Disclosure: The Ford Motor Company invited me to San Antonio in South Texas to test drive the new 2015 F-150. All the experiences are my own, just like the post below.
2015 Ford F150 Pickup Truck is Tough & Smart
One of the first projects I started working on with the Ford Motor Company was the F-150. I was able to visit with one of the lead engineers on America’s leading pick up truck, the Ford F-150. Little did I know that a year later I would be sitting behind one of the most Most Capable, Hi-Tech, and Durable pick up trucks ever. So I am excited to share about the all new 2015 Ford F-150, that has been labeled as the aluminum truck. The idea of reducing weight by 700 lbs has opened doors as far as fuel economy and towing capacity.
The 2015 Ford F-150 – the reinvention of America’s favorite pickup – is winning early praise as it sets the standard for the future of tough, thanks to the all-new vehicle’s impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency.
Overall, the 2015 F-150 is the toughest, smartest, most capable F-150 ever. Regardless of model configuration or engine choice, every truck customer benefits from up to 700 pounds of weight savings the new truck delivers. The all-new F-150 can tow up to 1,100 more pounds, haul up to 530 more pounds and is projected to have fuel economy ratings in the range of at least 5 percent and as much as 20 percent better gas mileage than today’s truck, depending on the model.
The new truck’s improved performance is enabled by reducing up to 700 pounds of weight through the use of high-strength steel in the frame and high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy in the body.
Before the new F-150 goes on sale, it will have been torture-tested for more than 10 million miles in a range of temperatures and terrain – in labs, at Ford proving grounds, in the hands of some of the most demanding truck customers and even in the grueling Baja 1000 off-road race.
New Technologies F-150
Several groundbreaking features debut in the all-new F-150, including 11 available class-exclusives:
- 360-degree camera view uses exterior cameras to create a bird’s-eye view of the truck to help drivers park, maneuver in tight spots, and navigate narrow roads and trails
- Integrated loading ramps enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and mowers
- BoxLink combines metal brackets and custom cleats to secure a variety of accessories in the cargo box – from ramps to storage bins to bed dividers
- LED headlamps; LED taillamps provide excellent nighttime visibility
- Trailer hitch assist adds a new rearview camera feature that incorporates a dynamic line based on steering wheel angle in the display to help customers line up their truck and trailer with no spotter or need to exit the vehicle
- Remote tailgate allows for tailgate to be locked, unlocked and released with the key fob
The 2.7-liter EcoBoost also features all-new engine logic that adjusts operating parameters on the fly to provide the best efficiency and performance for the environment and workload.
Other smart new features of the 2.7-liter EcoBoost include:
- First use of fracture split main-bearing caps, which create a superior fit between the cap and engine block for reduced crankshaft friction to help improve efficiency
- All-new aluminum cylinder heads feature water-cooled integrated exhaust manifolds
- Variable displacement oil pump reduces internal engine friction to improve fuel economy
- Intake and exhaust variable cam timing that improves torque while helping lower emissions
- Lightweight, durable composite intake manifold
- Cooling jets beneath the pistons that spray oil on the pistons to help lower operating temperatures
- Piston connecting rods use an offset I-beam that provides strength to manage peak engine power levels while reducing weight for better responsiveness
- Cartridge-style oil filter integrated into top of the engine for easy service
“No one’s ever built a six-cylinder engine like this,” said Nair. “It combines a host of advanced technologies found throughout the industry to create one of the most technically advanced and efficient engines ever designed.”
