Ford F-150 XL $26,615
Ford F-150 XLT $31,890
Ford F-150 Lariat $39,880
Ford F-150 King Ranch $49,460
Ford F-150 Platinum $52,155
Ford’s F-series pickups are among the best-selling vehicles in America, year after year, because trucks are important to Americans. That makes the new 2015 Ford F-150 a very important new vehicle, especially with all of the changes going on—an aluminum body, a new small turbocharged engine option, and other technological and design upgrades. For truck owners, both commercial and private, the new F-150 brings many significant changes.
At the top of that list of changes is an aluminum body. Far from the flimsiness of a beer can, the high-strength aluminum alloy in the F-150’s body is, Ford claims, tougher than ever. The material also allowed Ford to execute an exterior design that’s more aerodynamic while retaining the “signature Built Ford Tough appearance” derived from the “machined cubic-style shapes,” according to the F-150’s chief designer, Gordon Platto. Inside the 2015 Ford F-150, the look isn’t such a great departure from previous versions of the pickup, though there’s a new level of upscale look and feel on premium trims. Blocky shapes and sturdy structures are the visual theme to back the F-150’s chosen mission.
Engines are another area of innovation for the 2015 F-150. Four engines are available, and while three are familiar, the all-new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 is an unusual choice for a full-size pickup. Built around a compacted-graphite iron block, the smaller turbocharged V-6 offers automatic stop/start to reduce gas usage in traffic, as well as a range of friction-reducing technologies to further improve gas mileage. It’s clear Ford has made extensive efforts to make this the go-to for gas mileage in the new F-150. Also available will be an updated 3.5-liter Ti-VCT V-6 engine, and the familiar 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 and 5.0-liter Ti-VCT V-8. All four engines are paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Both 4x4 and 4x2 drive configurations are available.
The new 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine in the 2015 Ford F-150 rates 325 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque. That allows the small turbocharged V-6 engine to offer V-8-like towing capacity of up to 8,500 pounds, and payload capacity of up to 2,250 pounds. The standard 3.5-liter V-6 engine rates 283 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque, enabling towing capacity of 7,610 pounds and payload capacity of 1,910 pounds. Towing and payload ratings for the EcoBoost V-6 and Ti-VCT V-8 in the 2015 F-150 haven't yet been released.
The 2015 F-150’s front suspension is a coil-on-shock independent arrangement, while the rear retains the Hotchkiss-type solid axle riding on leaf springs and outboard shock absorbers. Electric-assist power steering and four-wheel vented ABS disc brakes round out the other key mechanical specs released thus far.
Materials changes in the new F-150, however, are perhaps even more interesting. Using phrases like “military-grade,” “high-strength,” and “Ford tough,” to describe its aluminum body, Ford is making sure that the weight-saving aluminum used in the cab, front-end, box, and tailgate aren’t perceived as flimsy or weak. The extensive use of aluminum saves about 700 pounds versus the previous all-steel F-150—a substantial reduction in mass that should markedly improve gas
EXTERIOR
Ford has yet to release towing figures and deeper details, but we figure the reduced weight and added strength from the revised frame (more on that later), will add to the already capable capacities.
That added capability might come in handy in an unconventional way. The movement to adopt the Society of Automotive Engineering’s voluntary J2807 towing standards is underway, although not all manufacturers have been quick to climb aboard. The SAE’s tow rating standards system basically levels the playing field for manufacturers’ quoted tow ratings, eliminating overestimating for a ’I-can-tow-more-than-you’ sales pitch. Much like horsepower ratings, the SAE numbers may fall below what the manufacturer wants to hear, thereby making their engine look less powerful. The J2807 standards have the possibility to ’reduce’ tow ratings, at least on paper. The 700-pound weight drop would likely lessen the blow to the F-150’s current tow ratings, so with Ford’s clean-slate opportunity in 2015, we hope they adopt.
Up front, a new front fascia, with a prominent three-bar grille flanked by distinctive headlights with LED technology for improved night vision. Integrated LED fog lights sit down low either side of the familiar-looking center bumper section. Exposed, closed-loop tow hooks are optional.
Out back, more LED lighting abounds with reworked taillights and LED lighting within the bed. The tailgate now features a more prominent spoiler and revised foldable/stowable step. Perhaps the bed’s biggest new feature is an electronic-operated tailgate. Push a button on the key fob and watch the gate drop. Integrated loading ramps fit nicely on either side of the bedrails for easy loading and unloading of motorcycles, lawnmowers, or the neighbor’s new refrigerator.
Holding up all that new technology is a new high-strength steel frame. It features eight crossmembers that are through-welded to the main two framerails for added support. Staggered, outboard-mounted shocks are still used to cushion the rear end’s ride. Ford claims the new frame is rated up to 70,000 psi - stronger than the steel found in its competitors’ heavy-duty truck frames.
Some new additions for the 2015 model year, include:
360-degree camera view
Integrated loading ramps
Boxlink - custom brackets and cleats in the cargo box to fit a wide array of accessories
Smart trailer tow module to alert the driver of any potential trailer issues, from burnt out bulbs to a connection issue
Remote tailgate
LED spotlights on the sideview mirrors
Next-gen tailgate step that is fully integrated into the tailgate and invisible when not in use
LED-lit cargo box
Box-side step for 5.5-foot bed
INTERIOR
►400-watt and 110-volt outlets inside the cabin
►Eight-inch LCD productivity screen that shows that displays important items, like towing and fuel economy tips
►Second-row inflatable safety belts
►Adaptive cruise control
Aesthetically, the new interior looks good. The new steering wheel has plenty of redundant controls, making operating the navigation and center cluster screen a snap. Four large air vents dominate the dashboard, which itself, looks covered in rich materials. The center stack is wide and leaves plenty of room for the numerous buttons and controls. The center console-mounted gear selector is driver-centric with the cup holders more passenger oriented. Accent lighting gives the cabin a futuristic feel at night as does the huge panoramic moonroof, a first for any pick-up. A 360-degree view camera system is also new for 2015, making parking and tight-spot maneuvering a much easier task. Much like systems on other vehicles, it uses front-, rear-, and side-mounted cameras to produce a bird’s-eye view of the truck on the navigation screen.
We imagine rear seat legroom will still be limo-like with a flat load floor and foldable seat bottoms. Ford has also included two 110-volt power outlets for charging laptops, cell phones, or the like.
Other :
►Single-CD Player w/SiriusXM Satellite Radio
►Full Coverage Rubber Floor Mats
►Carpeting and Floor Mats
►Cloth 40/Console/40 Front Seat
►Vinyl 40/Console/40 Front Seat
►Crew Chief Telematics Powered By Telogis (Late Availability)
►Trailer Brake Controller
SPECIFICATION
►Make : Ford
►Model : F-150
►Price : $ 26615
►Engine : V6 (Est.)
►Horsepower @ RPM : 283
►Torque @ RPM : 255
►Displacement : 3.5 L
►0-60 time : 8 sec. (Est.)
►Top Speed : 124 mph (Est.)
MODEL & PRICING
Regular Cab short-box rear-drive XL model pricing starts at $21,399 for the 3.5-litre V-6, rising rapidly through to the Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum with Super Crew cabins all the way to $66,999. While the bulk of sales will come from XLT trims, the sheer number of engine, cabin, bed, drive, and trim level is mind boggling, let alone the arms-length options list.
By comparison, the GMC and Chevrolet twins are already feeling past their best-by date, while the Ram 1500 is a much more refined rival. We’re still waiting for those fuel-economy figures and a firm on-sale date but until there’s time for a longer test, it seems fitting to give Ford a round of hearty applause for a good first impression.
TECHNOLOGY
►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
►Latest EcoBoost® technology in an all-new, even more efficient 2.7-liter EcoBoost 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
Other smart innovations include:
►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
►LED lighting embedded 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 step, 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.
4 ENGINE CHOICE
The 3.5-litre EcoBoost V-6 with its 365 horsepower and monster 420 lb-ft of torque carries over unchanged, as does the 5.0-litre V-8 with 385 horses and 387 lb-ft. The 6.2-litre V-8 is no longer available in the ‘regular’ light-duty models, instead being reserved for the SVT Raptor and larger Super Duty.
However, there’s a new 2.7-litre EcoBoost V-6 that splits the existing ‘sixes’. Using more durable materials for the upper block, and allowing for much closer tolerances for crankshafts and other internals, means it’s theoretically better prepared for pickup work.
Its 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of torque – the latter nearly equalling the V-8's – are more than enough to haul smaller items and boat trailers. The 2.7 EcoBoost also get Ford’s first crack at a non-hybrid stop-start system, which will help improve fuel efficiency figures, once they’re officially released.
Speaking of efficiency, Ford said that the whole line should consume anywhere from five-to-20 per cent less fuel this year over last. And while Ram is making noise with its eight-speed box, for now at least, all F-150s use the same six-speed automatic transmission, with either rear- or four-wheel drive.
DRIVETRAIN
All-new for 2015 is the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 with an Auto Start-Stop system — a first in the light-duty pickup segment — that puts down 325 horses and 375 pound-feet of torque. The Auto Start-Stop is said to be specially tuned for truck use and will not activate when in tow mode or four-wheel-drive. The system shuts the engine off whenever the truck is stopped, then restarts the engine within milliseconds of the brake being released. Combined with the aluminum body construction, we imagine the 2.7-liter EcoBoost will give class-leading fuel economy numbers.
In addition to the thousands of hours laboratory testing done in developing the 2.7-liter EcoBoost, Ford ran the 2013 Baja 1000 with a disguised 2015 F-150 powered by one. Just like the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6 did in the Baja a few years back, the engine performed admirably, finishing the race.
Type twin-turbo 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower 325 HP 283 HP
Torque 375 LB-FT 255 LB-FT
VIDEO
Video by : Autoguide.com
By : Automotive News & Super Modified Sports Cars
Posted by : Shahen Tharammal
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