Ford has revealed its new aluminum bodied F-150 pick-up truck at the Detroit Auto Show, which drops up to 700 pounds from the vehicle’s weight to save fuel costs. The model has had a number of other changes made including a new Baja 1000-proven 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine and is “bigger, wider, stronger, but lighter,” according to Pete Reyes, chief engineer at Ford.
The crucial difference is the use of aluminum to reduce the weight of the truck, using high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys that Ford claims is used in aerospace manufacturing.
“This is a critical redesign, not just for Ford but for the entire full-size truck market as we enter an era of rapidly increasing fuel efficiency standards,” Karl Brauer, senior analyst at Kelley Blue Book, told USA Today. “Ford needs to establish the F150 as a future-friendly model that will keep pace with government regulations while still meeting the demands of serious truck buyers.”
Irish journalist writing on business, tech and engineering.
