Ford Motor Co. recently introduced its new 2015 Ford F-150 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop and 3.5-liter V6 with twin independent variable camshaft timing.

“The 2015 F-150 is the most capable F-150 yet, while shedding up to 700 lbs.,” said Bob Fascetti, vice president, powertrain engineering. “These two new V6 engines—the 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost and normally aspirated 3.5-liter Ti-VCT—set a new standard for Ford for capability and efficiency.”

The twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 features an entirely new design that delivers power and performance, said Ford. The engine produces 325 HP and 375 lb.-ft. of torque—improving the power-to-weight ratio of the 2015 truck by 15% over the 2014 5.0-liter V8-equipped F-150 with similar torque output, thanks to vehicle light-weighting.

The 2.7-liter EcoBoost 4×2 has a maximum payload rating of 2,250 pounds and maximum tow rating of 8,500 lbs.

Auto Start-Stop technology, specially tuned for truck customers, shuts off the engine when the vehicle is at a stop. When the brake is released, the engine restarts quickly. Auto Start-Stop helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions when the truck is stopped and the engine is off. The technology is off when towing or in four-wheel-drive mode.

The 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine also features Ford’s first use of a compacted graphite iron cylinder block in a gasoline engine, the same material used in Ford’s 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo diesel V8 in Super Duty trucks. The composite CGI/aluminum cylinder block saves weight while providing strength where it’s needed most for durability, said Ford.

Thanks to vehicle weight savings, the standard 3.5-liter V6 with Ti-VCT offers a 5% improvement in power-to-weight ratio over the larger 3.7-liter V6 in the 2014 F-150, with better fuel efficiency and performance.

The 3.5-liter V6 produces 283 HP and 255 lb.-ft. of torque. The engine has a maximum payload of 1,910 lbs. and a maximum tow rating of 7,600 lbs.

The 24-valve 3.5-liter V6 features a valvetrain with direct-acting polished mechanical buckets with twin independent variable camshaft timing for impressive torque across a wide RPM range, said Ford. Six-bolt main bearingcaps, a fully counterweighted forged steel crankshaft and cast exhaust manifolds are designed for heavy-duty operation.

Both the upper and lower intake manifolds of the 3.5-liter V6 are tuned for responsive power, and both the intake manifolds and cam covers are composite-formed to reduce weight. The die-cast aluminum cylinder block features bay-to-bay breathing to reduce internal pumping losses, while a deep-sump oil pan contributes to extended oil-change intervals.

Overall, F-150 is up to 700 lbs. lighter—helping the truck tow and haul more, accelerate and stop faster, and operate more efficiently than the previous F-150. High-strength steel in the frame and high-strength aluminum alloy throughout the body produce an inherently stiffer truck with greater dent and ding resistance, according to Ford. The aluminum upper body sits on a fully boxed ladder frame with high-strength steel.