Quote:
Originally Posted by Nickshu
Weight savings results in better fuel economy for compact pickups, but when the new aluminum 2015 F150 comes out (and the Silverado to follow in aluminum in 2017 or 18) this may be a major blow to the compact segment since the sizes have become so similar as what we define as "compact" keeps getting bigger while "standard" trucks are getting somewhat smaller...
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A half ton Crew Cab 4x4 Silverado/Sierra is already 250-350 pounds lighter than a similarly configured/equipped F150, and 400-500 pounds lighter than a Tundra.
When the aluminum F150 debuts, the industry insiders suggest that the F150 will be about 200 pounds lighter than the current GM truck (about 450 pounds lighter than it is now).
The newest generation of 'small' trucks weigh about 1,000 pounds less than the current GM trucks, or 1,300 pounds lighter than a current F150, or up to 1,500 pounds lighter than a current Tundra (apples to apples config).
There are smarter engineers on this board that could probably tell us how a 15-20% decrease in weight and 10-15% decrease in drag (aero and road combined) would impact fuel economy, along with smaller more efficient engines.
The freeway mileage for diesel better start with a "3" or it won't be a homerun.