Ford Doubles Up 2015 F-150 EcoBoost Options
New 2.7-Liter EcoBoost V6 delivers V8 performance with greater efficiency; a boon for pickup/delivery and commuters
Nearly a third of F-150 sold in the last two-plus years, some 425,000, have been powered by the 365hp 3.5L EcoBoost. It’s power and fuel economy digging deeply into the 5.oL V8 sales.
Sales of Ford’s 5.0L V8s may take another hit when the 2015 F-150s roll into dealers this fall with a second, entirely new EcoBoost V6 option–a twin-turbo 2.7L, rumored to make more than 330hp and 450lbs torque.
“The F-150’s proven 3.5-liter EcoBoost has become the industry benchmark for advanced and efficient truck engines,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, global product development.
“We’ve applied lessons learned from the 3.5-liter EcoBoost to the new 2.7-liter EcoBoost, but with new technologies that make this more efficient engine perform like a larger mid-range V8.”
Boosting the 2.7-liter EcoBoost’s fuel efficiency is the debut of standard Auto Start-Stop technology in the F-150.
This technology, specially tuned for truck customers, shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop – except when towing or in four-wheel drive – to give drivers power on demand when they need it most. When the brake is released, the engine restarts in milliseconds.
The new V6 engine features the first use of a compacted graphite iron (CGI) cylinder block in a gasoline engine, the same weight-saving material used in Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke® turbo-diesel V8 engine.
“Previous engine block design choices were high strength or compact or lightweight,” said Ed Waszczenko, engine systems supervisor. “We wanted to go further with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost and design an engine with compact structure and high strength and light weight.”
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
- Piston Cooling jets that spray oil on the pistons to help lower operating temperatures
- Piston connecting rods use an offset I-beam that provides strength while reducing weight for better responsiveness
- Integrated 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.”
