The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 debuted back in June, but we're still learning more details about the powertrain. For the first time, the popular pickup is available with a new 3.5-liter V6 hybrid engine generating 400 horsepower and 570 lb-ft of torque. In addition, the 2021 F-150 is available with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 rated at 325 hp and 400 lb-ft, a 3.0-liter Power Stroke diesel V6 rated at 250 hp and 440 lb-ft, and a 5.0-liter V8 with 400 hp and 410 lb-ft. Ford's 5.0-liter V8 received a five hp and 10 lb-ft boost for the next-generation model, but this isn't the only change. According to Pickup Talk, the 5.0-liter V8 also benefits from cylinder deactivation technology.

"We've also added a variable displacement cylinder deactivation function to the 5.0-liter, helping fuel economy by reducing the number of cylinders receiving fuel during lower speeds and under light loads," Dawn McKenzie, Ford Truck Communications Manager, explained.

This technology will enable the V8-powered F-150 to run on four cylinders instead of eight. Shutting off half of the cylinders will help conserve fuel when they are not needed in certain driving conditions such as during slow-speed cruising.

It also enables Ford to still offer the F-150 with a V8 powertrain at a time when emissions regulations are getting increasingly stricter, so don't be surprised if more V8-powered models utilize this technology. When a cylinder is deactivated, the system closes the intake and exhaust valve and stops injecting fuel into the cylinder. However, the pistons will still move up and down to turn the crankshaft.

We'll have to wait and see if this technology offers any significant fuel savings as Ford has not announced fuel economy ratings for the 2021 Ford F-150 yet. The new F-150 recently started production at Ford's Michigan and Kansas plants.