All-aluminum body, 360-dgeree camera view, integrated loading ramp, remote tailgate release and new 2.7L EcoBoost engine just tip of the new truck’s offerings
Today is a game changer for Ford. They finally put the rumors and speculations to rest as to what the next-generation F-150 will be.
When the official unveiling happens this morning, the world will see an all-new F-150 Ford that will have many buyers-both commercial and consumer-passing on the 2014s.
It’ll also feature an all-new 2.7L EcoBoost V6 making the power of many mid-size V8s. (READ MORE)
Ford says the new truck will deliver an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency – from advanced materials that improve durability and inhibit corrosion.
It incorporates faster processors that enhance driving performance and utilizes breakthrough cargo management and towing solutions for greater utility value.
“F-150 is well-known for being Built Ford Tough. Now, it is both tough and smart,” said Mark Fields, Ford Motor Company chief operating officer.
“The all-new F-150 redefines the future of trucks, and it is yet another example of our One Ford plan producing vehicles that serve customers with a commitment to the very best quality, fuel efficiency, safety, smart design and value.”
In designing the backbone of the F-150, Ford engineers improved the truck’s signature fully boxed ladder frame. It is all-new with more high-strength steel than ever – making it stronger and lighter.
2015 F-150 incorporates loading ramps and remote tailgate operation for added convenience. (Click to view larger.)
High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys – already used in aerospace, commercial transportation, energy and many other rugged industries – are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time, improving dent and ding resistance and also saving weight.
Overall, Ford says up to 700 pounds of weight have been saved on some models, helping the F-150 tow more, haul more, accelerate quicker and stop shorter, and contributing to efficiency.
“More than ever before, customers want a truck that is a dependable partner, mobile office and a go-anywhere workshop,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development.
“To meet the needs of our truck customers, we created smart new features and a whole new approach to using advanced materials and engines to improve capability and efficiency.”
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Ford says the 2015 Ford F-150sets a new level of strength and durability for the line.
Before it goes on sale, it will have been torture-tested in labs, at Ford proving grounds and in the hands of some of Ford’s most demanding truck customers for more than 10 million miles.
The grueling testing simulated the demands Ford’s customers will subject the truck to throughout its average lifetime. The tests include crisscrossing the country pulling heavy trailers and hefty loads through desert valleys and over high-altitude mountain passes – in temperatures from 20 degrees below zero to 120 degrees Fahrenheit.
(A stock version even competed in the recent Baja 1000, completing all 883 grueling miles while some other purpose-built race vehicles could not.)
The interior is wider, the center console deeper, and storage under rear seat all add to the new mobil office. (Click to view larger.)
To perform in these challenging conditions, the frame uses high-strength steel rated up to 70,000 psi – stronger than the steel found in some competitors’ heavy-duty pickup truck frames.
Eight through-welded crossmembers provide increased stiffness, while staggered rear outboard shocks provide greater stability.
2015 F-150 Smarter Than Ever
Several groundbreaking new productivity features debut in the all-new F-150, including many class-exclusives. They include:
360-degree camera view, using exterior cameras to create a bird’s-eye view of the truck to help the driver park, maneuver in tight spots and navigate down narrow roads and trails
Integrated loading ramps, which enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and mowers
BoxLink™, which is a combination of metal brackets and custom cleats used to secure a variety of accessories in the cargo box, from ramps to storage bins to bed dividers
LED headlamps and taillamps, which provide excellent nighttime visibility
Trailer hitch assist, a new rear view camera feature that adds a dynamic line based on steering wheel angle in the display to help customers line up truck and trailer without requiring a spotter or having to get out of the vehicle
Smart trailer tow module, using an all-new smart trailer tow wiring harness that helps identify and inform the driver of potential trailer connectivity issues, burned or unlit trailer marker lamps, and brake light and trailer battery faults
Remote tailgate, allowing for the tailgate to be locked, unlocked and released with the key fob – eliminating manual locking and increasing convenience and security. The tailgate also is damped, dropping down, hands-free, to a flat position when opened
High-wattage power outlets (400 watts, 110 volts) in the cab, allowing drivers to easily charge corded tools, battery chargers or mobile devices on-site or while driving
LED spotlights on sideview mirrors, which provide powerful, durable and bright lighting around the truck exterior
2.7L EcoBoost®, an all-new, even more efficient engine that features extremely high output and lightweight design
Next-generation tailgate step, which is now fully integrated inside the tailgate and virtually invisible when not in use
New 8-inch LCD productivity screen in the instrument panel, which includes updated truck apps – from fuel economy to towing tips – and the ability to create a customized home screen for customers to access their most frequently used apps in one place More hip room for both passenger and driver, and redesigned shifter and dash layout improve comfort. (Click to view larger image.)
Embedded LED lighting in the walls of the cargo box, which brightly illuminates the box interior to help customers quickly find tools or other items
Rear under-seat storage in F-150 Super and Crew cabs, providing hidden storage for valuables. Two storage bins also are located underneath the rear seats
Boxside steps, now available for the short 5.5-foot box
They join available driver aids, including SYNC® with MyFord Touch®, hill start assist, MyKey®, rear view camera, reverse sensing, trailer brake controller and extendable tailgate step.
F-150 Segment-First Safety Features
The 2015 F-150 also features a number of segment-first technologies that automatically assist drivers to be safer. They include:
Second-row inflatable safety belts, which work like a traditional belt but include a tubular airbag that inflates in the event of a crash and distributes the force of the impact across a wider area of the passenger’s chest
Curve Control, which automatically provides more aggressive four-wheel braking when the truck is going into a corner too fast
Adaptive cruise control, allowing drivers to set a cruising speed and use radar technology to monitor traffic ahead and maintain a safe distance between vehicles
Lane-Keeping System, which is designed to help avert unintentional drifting of the vehicle outside the intended driving lane by automatically detecting the left- or right-hand road lane markings using a camera mounted between the windshield and interior rearview mirror
Blind Spot Information System with cross-traffic alert, which uses radar hidden in the taillamps to detect a vehicle entering a driver’s blind spot while driving or backing up
Ford Adds 2.7L EcoBoost
On the power side, Ford changes course in the power and performance side by dropping the 6.2L V8 and base 3.5L V6, and adding a new 2.7-liter EcoBoost with standard Auto Start-Stop technology and what Rod says “has the same power as some mid-range V8s.”
The 2015 F-150s will also have a new base engine an the form of a a new 3.5L naturally-aspirated, twin-cam V6.
Ford F-150 trucks equipped with EcoBoost engines also will benefit from standard Active Grille Shutters that automatically close to reduce aerodynamic drag at cruising speed. (Active Grille Shutters stay open when extra engine cooling is needed, such as during low-speed stop-and-go driving or while working in hot weather.)
When it goes on sale late this year, the 2015 F-150 will continue offering the same trim levels as the current model: XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch.
The FX4 package, which adds electronic locking rear axle, skid plates and off-road-tuned shocks, is available in most 4×4 versions.
“Once again, the Ford F-150 establishes new standards in durability, capability, technology and efficiency to help F-150 owners be more productive 24/7 – whether for work or weekend fun,” said Nair.
The F-150 will continue to be manufactured at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Mich., and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo.
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