Ford really, really, really wants you to know that the F-150 has been America's top-selling vehicle for 32 years and the top truck for 37. It's no mystery why they're so focused on that element. Experience, consistency, and reliability are all fantastic components when you look at a car. But most importantly, being at the top pushes a company to continually work to stay on top. As you can see by cars like the Fiesta ST and the Fusion, Ford isn't exactly a complacent company. That's why, at this year's Detroit Auto Show (press days begin today), the new F-150 debuted with a construction that is lighter and more advanced than ever.
The biggest change is the heavy use of high-strength aluminum-alloy in the body, which Ford reassures consumers has been "torture-tested" for 10,000,000 miles. Couple that with its "high-strength" steel frame and you have a truck that is about 700 lbs lighter.
The second major addition is a 2.7L EcoBoost engine that will make use of the increasingly popular automatic start-stop function. The current lineup only includes a 3.5L EcoBoost option (365hp and 420 lb-ft of torque). Specs on the smaller engine are yet to be released, but Ford toutes that it will feature "the first use of a compacted graphite iron cylinder block in a gas engine," which is usually found in a diesel. Basically, more weight savings. Other engines include the 3.5L V6, the 5.0L V8, and the 3.5L EcoBoost.
Trims include XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum (the one in the photos here).
So, it's going to be more efficient. But what else? Take a look at a few other all-new features that will make truck-lovers lives much, much easier.
- A complete 360-degree camera view
- Integrated loading ramps
- BoxLink (brackets inside the bed)
- LED headlights and taillamps
- Remote tailgate
- 400W and 110W power outlets in the cab
- Cargo loading lamps
- Adaptive cruise control, lane assist, and blind spot assist
And that's not even mentioning the redone exterior, which takes a ton of cues from the Atlas concept. How's that for a response, Ram and Chevy and Toyota?
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[via Ford]
