2009 Ford F-150. Click image to enlarge |
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2009 Ford F-150
Detroit, Michigan - How do you redesign North America's most popular truck? Ask current F-150 owners what they want! That was Ford's simple approach to revamping the best-selling vehicle in North America.
"Before we started working on the new truck, we continued the conversation with people who use these trucks every day for work and play," said Matt O'Leary, chief engineer of the 2009 F-150. "We went to their ranches, their job sites and their homes, making sure we crafted features that would improve their ownership experiences and, really, their lives."
In all, more than 1,000 Ford engineers, designers, researchers and others worked together to develop the new 2009 F-150 drawing inspiration from Ford's large customer base.
Customers wanted more towing and hauling capacity, so the new 2009 F-150 fully boxed frame is now constructed with hydro-formed and high strength steel side rails and delivers 10 percent more torsional rigidity and improves upon the current model's class-leading towing and hauling capability across all cab configurations.
For improved safety, new features include standard AdvanceTrac traction control with Roll Stability Control and Trailer Sway Control plus an optional Rearview Camera Assist and Integrated Trailer Brake Controller, a segment-first on light-duty pickups. As well, with its stronger frame and more standard safety features including side-curtain air bags, the new F-150 is engineered to earn top safety ratings from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
The 2008 F-150 will be offered with three cab styles, four box options and seven unique trim levels - in all, 35 different configurations are available.
Trim levels include the no-fuss XL workhorse, the sporty STX, the off-road capable FX4, and the mid-range XLT. For those looking for luxury, Ford offers the high-end Lariat and King Ranch F-150 models. And new for 2009 is the Platinum series, the most luxurious F-150 ever.
Under the hood, the 2009 F-150 will be powered by one of three V8 engines - the base V6 has been dropped. The new V8s will be mated to either a four-speed automatic or a new fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission. The engines include a new 4.6-litre, 3-valve V8 which utilizes open valve injection which increases horsepower during towing and reduces emissions; a 4.6-litre, 2-valve V8 that delivers more horsepower with the same fuel economy performance as the outgoing truck's V6; and the 5.4-litre, 3-valve Triton V8, which has been optimized for better performance with improved horsepower and torque, and is capable of running on E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline). Diesel and EcoBoost gas turbo direct injection engines are planned for the F-150 in 2010 as well.
The pickup box on the new F-150 has a class-leading cargo capacity of 65.5 cubic feet and features Ford's industry-exclusive Tailgate and Box Side Steps, Stowable Bed Extender and Cargo Management System.
Thanks to a six-inch stretch, the interior of the new 2009 F-150 SuperCrew offers more usable space, rear seat legroom and cargo capacity. A mechanically articulated second-row seat flips up and out of the way. Combined with a truly flat load floor, this feature gives the new SuperCrew class leading 57.6 cubic feet of space behind the front seats and can accommodate items up to 47.9 inches tall, such as flat-screen TV.
A clever new interior features a flow-through console that has been lengthened by approximately two inches and is large enough to stow two or more laptop computers. Special ridges are moulded into the edges of the bin to accommodate file folders. The console also has a multi-tiered, removable tray and locks to protect valuables. More than 30 storage areas are built into the interior, ranging from a bin on the top of the instrument panel to a number of small spaces designed to accommodate tools like cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs and gate access cards.
A redesigned, more ergonomic shifter remains on the console. New, larger buttons and switches are ergonomically designed and within easy reach and view of the driver. A USB port and auxiliary MP3 player input are conveniently mounted on the dash. Two 12-volt outlets are located on the dash and center console.
As well, the 2009 F-150 will be available with Ford SYNC voice-activated, hands-free, in-vehicle communications and entertainment system; SIRIUS Travel Link that when combined with voice activated navigation will provide users with a suite of data services including real-time traffic, coast-to-coast weather conditions and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations; voice-activated navigation that integrates several functions, including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen display; and a Sony audio system that features 700 watts of power, 5.1 surround sound and 10 Sony speakers.
The new 2009 F-150 rolls off assembly lines at Ford's Dearborn, Michigan Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri this fall.
