Ford's aluminum-bodied F-150 takes fuel-economy crown from Ram, to get 26 mpg on the highway

Ford says its new aluminum-bodied F-150 pickup will get up to 26 mpg on the highway, making it the most fuel efficient gas-powered full-size pickup.

The Ram truck is the current leader among pickups, getting up to 25 mpg on the highway with a gas engine.

Fuel economy is a key data point for the new F-150, which is arriving at dealerships this week. Ford shaved 700 pounds off the weight of the truck by switching the body from steel to lightweight aluminum, a dramatic change for the best-selling vehicle in the U.S.

The F-150 will get 26 mpg on the highway with a 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine, which is a $495 option. That is 13 percent better than the outgoing truck's 23 mpg.