Ford details engines for aluminum F-150 pickup

In the pickup truck wars, Ford appears to be setting itself up to be able to claim best fuel economy.

But in announcing capabilities of the new engines that will power its aluminum-body pickup, Ford didn't disclose fuel economy -- only power and towing/hauling ratings.

The 2015 engine lineup:

• Headliner: 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6, new to the lineup, that Ford intends as a substitute for a V-8. The 2.7 is rated 325 hp and 375 lbs.-ft. It is rated to tow as much as 8,500 lbs. and carry as much as 2,250 lbs.

In a popular Lariat crew-cab model, with optional payload package, the 2015 2.7-liter truck could haul about 1,900 lbs., Ford says. A current-model crew-cab with the 5-liter V-8 engine would have a payload rating of about 1,500 to 1,700 lbs.

But the current truck, with all available towing and hauling upgrades, would have a higher payload rating -- 2,330 to 2,620 lbs, according to Ford's published specifications.

Ford says that engine will have a truck-tuned automatic stop-start fuel-saving system to shut off the engine at long lights and other times there's no need to keep it running. The feature shuts off in four-wheel drive and when towing.

•3.5-liter V-6 base engine rated 283 horsepower and 255 pounds-feet of torque, down from the 3.7-liter V-6 that's the current base engine. It's rated 's 302 hp, 278 lbs.-ft, but Ford says the new, smaller base engine is able to tow more, up to 7,600 lbs.

•5-liter V-8 carried over from the current truck. It's derived from the Mustang's 5-liter V-8, tuned for power at lower speed, which works better with trucks.

Ford hasn't given 2015 power ratings yet for the 5-liter. The current 5-liter is rated 360 hp, 380 lbs.-ft.

•3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, also carried over from the current truck. No 2015 numbers yet, but that engine currently is rated 365 hp, 420 lbs.-ft.

"These two new V-6 engines –- the 2.7-liter turbocharged EcoBoost and normally aspirated 3.5-liter – set a new standard for Ford for capability and efficiency," says Ford Vice President Bob Fascetti, who is charge of engines, in a statement.