Ford F-150 goes All Aluminum for 2015

Aluminum Body, new EcoBoost engine for F-150

The long anticipated 2015 model year Ford F-150 debuted at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show. Completely redesigned, Ford's F-150 transitioned to an entirely aluminum body for significant weight savings. For strength and capability, the body is mounted to a fully boxed steel frame, which features a total of 8 cross members for rigidity and strength. Ford claims that the switch to aluminum has allowed them to shed more than 700 lbs, weight savings that contributed to improved fuel economy and left room for greater payload/trailer weight ratings. Features such as active grille shutters and engine start-stop technology (for select engines) allowed the 2015 Ford F-150 to further strive in the fuel economy department. Styling for the 2015 F-150 was largely inspired by the Ford Atlas Concept, which was unveiled in 2013. The 6.2L V-8 was retired from the F-150's engine options, as is the standard 3.7L V-6. In their place, Ford introduced an all new 3.5L Ti-VCT V-6 (essentially a scaled down 3.7L) and 2.7L EcoBoost V-6. The 3.5L EcoBoost and 5.0L V8 remain unchanged, meaning there was a grand total of 4 engines for F-150 buyers to select from.

2015 F-150 Horsepower, Torque, & MPG

Engine

Peak HP

Peak Torque

4x2
(city/hwy/combined)

4x4
(city/hwy/combined)

3.5L V-6

282 hp

253 lb-ft

18/25/20 mpg

17/23/19 mpg

2.7L EcoBoost V-6

325 hp

375 lb-ft

19/26/22 mpg

18/23/20 mpg

3.5L EcoBoost V-6

365 hp

420 lb-ft

17/24/20 mpg

17/23/19 mpg

5.0L V-8

385 hp

387 lb-ft

15/22/18 mpg

15/21/17 mpg

 

2015 Ford F-150 Highlights

6000 series, military grade aluminum body and bed - Using aluminum in the construction of the body and bed saves the 2015 F-150 more than 700 lbs on select models.

New 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 Engine - The new EcoBoost produces 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque, enough to qualify for a maximum tow rating of 8,500 lbs and 2,250 lbs max payload on select models.

Fully boxed, reinforced steel frame - Where as the aluminum body focuses on weight saving, the all-new fully boxed steel frame is reinforced by a total of 8 cross members in order to maintain the rigidity and strength demanded by the F-150's capability.

Available 3.5L EcoBoost - The 3.5L EcoBoost returns to the F-150 for 2015, a tried-and-true favorite that has been put through the paces and continues to be the backbone of the F-150's engine lineup.

New entry level V-6 Engine - The 3.7L V-6 has been swiped from the F-150's options in favor of a slightly smaller, fuel sipping 3.5L Ti-VCT V-6 (not to be confused with the EcoBoost).

Active grille shutters, start-stop technology - Active grille shutters and start-stop technology further enhance the 2015 F-150's fuel economy capabilities by reducing drag and turning the engine off when it's not in use.

NHTSA 5 Star Safety Rating - The 2015 standard cab, SuperCab, and SuperCrew models all received 5 star ratings (the maximum awarded) in frontal, side, and overall impact test categories. In addition, all three cab configurations were awarded 4 stars in the rollover category.

For 2016, the aluminum bodied platform's second model year, the Ford F-150 was named the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's (IIHS) top safety pick after facing a herd of steel bodied competitors. During the IIHS's safety test, the Ford F-150 received an overall "good" rating - per IIHS rating standards, a vehicle must receive a "good" mark in all 5 crash test categories to earn the top safety pick title. Meanwhile, the Ram 1500 earned a "marginal" rating, the Toyota Tundra an "acceptable" rating, and GM's Sierra/Silverado 1500 also received an "acceptable" rating. You may be able to throw a toolbox in the bed of a Chevy without punching a hole in it, but apparently your odds of surviving an accident is significantly better in a Ford. Ford has received much criticism from competitors for their aluminum platform (ironic considering the #1 automaker in sales has committed to a aluminum transition in the near future), but the results of their crash tests suggest the structural integrity of their design is favorable to that of their steel bodied competitors.