Ford utilizes the segment’s only start-stop engine in the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup

Among the many leaps and bounds in engine technology that automotive manufacturers have made in the past decade or so, the most prominent is probably hybrid engine technology. But the most recognized innovations are not always the most effective ones, which is why Ford continues to devote resources to advancing beyond its peers in fuel-saving technology. This is why the new 2015 Ford F-150 pickup will include the segment’s only engine with auto start-stop technology from the highly lauded 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine.

The difficulty that many drivers will recognize is in creating a motor that can do everything that is demanded of a pickup truck, but still maintain good fuel economy on the roads around a city like Louisville. The Ford F-150 has long held a special place as a workhorse vehicle, and the way the designers achieved the power was by combining turbocharging technology with fuel saving features to create a new Ford pickup truck that can compete with most regular cars in miles-per-gallon. The power produced by this technology in the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 allows it to preserve the effectiveness of a regular mid-range V8 engine.

But the truly impressive development here is the auto start-stop capability, which means that in certain situations, the engine will shut off completely and start immediately when the truck returns to motion. The system is adapted for trucks so the engine won’t shut off during four-wheel drive or towing modes. But during regular city driving, having the engine switched off while stopped saves plenty of fuel, and advanced technology allows the engine to start quickly and seamlessly when the driver lets off of the brake.