2015 Ford F-150 unveiled

jus2shy wrote:
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As for highway fuel economy, I'm under the impression that aerodynamic drag is a bigger factor than weight, since an object in motion tends to want to stay in motion. However it looks like Ford is pulling the same stops that RAM did employing active aerodynamic shutters in the grille. Ford has always had a superior rear cab shape in my eyes as well, only truck maker to actually sculpt the back of the cab to try to direct air more strategically.
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I agree wind resistance is a big factor when it comes to fuel economy. But, a reduction in weight, at some point, will have a noticeable affect on MPG's.

FWIW, I've loaded 750 - 1000 lbs. of gear in my 5.7 Tundra numerous times. I've always noticed a 1 - 2 mpg drop in fuel economy when doing so. The load was below the bed rails, so wind resistance was not an issue.

I can't imagine a 13-14% (700 lb.) reduction in a 1/2 ton truck's empty weight not having a "noticeable" affect on fuel economy. In other words, if Ford is unable to show at least 1 - 2 mpg of EPA gas mileage improvement (with everything else being equal), then I can't see how Ford can justify using aluminum. If the average consumer saw a steel 2014 3.5 Ecoboost and a mostly aluminum 2015 3.5 Ecoboost on the lot and they both had the same EPA window stick numbers, IMO no amount of marketing hype is gonna convince them the aluminum is worth the risk of change.