The days when FoMoCo used to stuff its high-performance vehicles with high-displacement V-8 engines are long gone, but that's not to say the Blue Oval's current offerings are of the slow variety. Although the 2015 Mustang still comes with a V-8 in its range-topping trim, several other nameplates -- including the Focus->ke440 and Fiesta ST, and the Taurus SHO -- are motivated by EcoBoost technology. Be it with four or six cylinders, the EcoBoost engine has become the centerpiece of Ford performance and that's not likely to change any time soon. In fact, it seems the EcoBoost is set to expand to other nameplates as well, judging by a trademark filing with the United States Patent and Trademark office.

According to the folks over at Motrolix, Ford has registered the term "EcoBeast" under the Goods and Services category of "Automobiles and automobile engines." This can only mean one thing; Ford->ke31 is readying a new version of its turbocharged EcoBoost engine and judging by the name there's something big coming our way; in terms of horsepower, that is!

So what are Ford intentions with this "EcoBeast" engine? The trademark filing provides no clue, but it's very likely that this is a pickup truck->ke242 application. You see, owners of F-150->ke423 pickups with the 3.5-liter, EcoBoost V-6 have been known to nickname their trucks "EcoBeast," and that's solid indication that FoMoCo wants to emphasize on that moniker and use it for production purposes. And with the current 3.5-liter V-6 churning 365 horsepower, we have a feeling the "EcoBeast" will find its way into the next-generation SVT Raptor with more than 450 ponies at its disposal.

Click past the jump to read more about Ford's new 'EcoBeast' moniker.

Why it matters

With the new-generation, aluminum F-150 unveiled in early 2014, an updated version of the SVT Raptor is long overdue. Having eliminated the 6.2-liter, V-8 engine from the F-150 lineup for 2015, we began wondering whether the next-gen Raptor will employ either a 5.0-liter V-8 or a beefed-up EcoBoost V-6. With this new trademark filing, things are pretty much clear, especially since Ford is looking to reduce the carbon footprint of its pickup trucks. Sure, nothing's official yet and we could be wrong here, but with a lighter F-150 to serve as a base for a new Raptor, it would make a lot of sense for Ford to use a turbo V-6 instead of a naturally aspirated V-8. Either way, make sure you keep it locked here for further details on the "EcoBeast" engine. More info could surface as soon as the 2015 Detroit Auto Show in January.

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

Introduced for the 2010 model year, the SVT Raptor is the most extreme factory version of the Ford F-150. Developed for off-road use, the Raptor features a host of chassis modifications to improve its off-road ability, including Fox shocks with increased travel, a revised suspension system and off-road tires. Visually, the Raptor boasts a wider body with a revised front fascia and a grille that features "Ford" lettering instead of the usual Blue Oval badge.

The SVT Raptor was initially launched with 5.4-liter and 6.2-liter V-8s, but the former was dropped for the 2011 model year, the same year when Ford added a crew cab variant. Rated at 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque, the 6.2-liter V-8 carried over unchanged through 2014, the Raptor's final year on the market. A second-generation model is expected to be unveiled sometime in 2015.