Redesigned Ford F-150 Aiming For 15-20% MPG Increase

William Maley

Staff Writer - CheersandGears.com

December 14, 2012

The next-generation Ford F-150 could be aiming for the best-in-class fuel economy. A source tells Reuters that the 2015 F-150, due out in late 2014, is aiming for a 15-20% improvement in fuel economy.

The 2015 Ford F-150 "will be a game-changer that will alter the dynamics of the truck segment. They're shooting for best-in-class fuel economy," the source told Reuters.

When asked about this, Ford spokesman Mike Levine said, "Ford is committed to offering our customers leading fuel economy (but) it's premature to talk about future products,"

Ford increasing the fuel economy of the next F-150 is due to two reasons; the tougher fuel-economy standards that take effect in 2015 and 2016, and Ford wanting to keep its dominance in the truck market.

The 2015 F-150 is expected to shed as much as 750 lbs through the use of aluminum body panels and other lighter components like the brakes and axles. Ford is also working on a eight-speed automatic and hybrid system with Toyota.

Reuters also reports that Ford is readying a a new family of turbocharged, direct-injected engines under the code name of Nano. The first of these engines will be a 2.9L V6 arriving sometime in 2016.

Source: Reuters via Automotive News (Subscription Required)

William Maley is a staff writer for Cheers & Gears. He can be reached at [email protected] or you can follow him on twitter at @realmudmonster.