At the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, Ford unveiled their all new 2015 F-150 pickup which changes the game across the board with new engines, new materials, new design, and new features aimed at keeping the Blue Oval #1 in the pickup truck game.
The 2015 F-150 is tougher with an all-new high-strength steel frame and a military-grade aluminum-alloy body which saves up to 700 pounds which is flat out huge. It’s also the first application of Ford’s new 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 engine which we will see in other vehicles soon.
When it comes to design, Ford took no risks with their golden goose. The exterior is a dead ringer for last year’s Atlas Concept. While it is unquestionably a Ford F-150 at first view, it features a new grille design, LED headlamps and tail lamps and subtle new styling cues from from front to back.
Ford will tell us its bolder, more masculine, and all of that. It’s more aerodynamic as well which should make it one of the most efficient trucks out available. EcoBoost F-150’s get active grille shutters stay open when extra engine cooling is needed or automatically close to reduce aerodynamic drag at cruising speed.
But to the meat of it, Ford has increased the use of high-strength 70,000-psi steel from 23 percent to 77 percent of the frame, improving stiffness and durability while reducing weight. The new frame is up to 60 pounds lighter than the current frame.
High-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloys are used throughout the F-150 body for the first time. Ford says the new aluminum body will improve dent and ding resistance as well as corrosion in addition to saving up to 700 pounds.
The new F-150 will be available with even more gadgets than ever before. There is a new 360-degree camera view system similar to Nissan’s around view. Out back you can get integrated loading ramps, which enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and mowers. With that you can get BoxLink, which is a combination of metal brackets and custom cleats used to secure a variety of accessories.
The new remote tailgate, allows for the tailgate to be locked, unlocked and opened with the key fob.
Under the hood, Ford adds an all-new, even more efficient 2.7 liter EcoBoost engine that features extremely high output and lightweight design and has the first start-stop system in a full size truck.
Replacing the current 3.7 liter base V6 is truck version of the 3.5 liter V6 found in other Ford products as standard equipment on lower trim grades.
The popular 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 and 5.0 liter V8 carry over with new enhancements and new power ratings, all of which have yet to be announced.
The 2.7 and 3.5 liter EcoBoost engines as well as the 5.0 liter V8 will be optional depending on model and configuration. The 5.0 liter V8 will be standard on top models like Platinum and King Ranch.
An all new interior gets a new 8-inch LCD productivity screen in the instrument panel, which includes updated truck apps which range from fuel economy to towing tips. You can also create a customized home screen to access most frequently used apps in one place.
The looks is predictably F-150 with a new spin in design. There are many new storage spots including room for a laptop storage in the center console. Super and Crew cabs get new under seat storage and storage bins also are located underneath the rear seats.
Ford’s inflatable seat belts come to second-row 2015, similar to those found in the current Explorer. They have 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.
Driver aids for 2015 include curve control, which automatically provides more aggressive four-wheel braking when the truck is going into a corner too fast. You also can get adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance and blind spot information with cross-traffic alert.
Five primary trims will be offered including XL, XLT, Lariat, Platinum and King Ranch. The FX4 off-road package can be added to most four-wheel-drive models, improving trail prowess.
The F-150 will continue to be manufactured at Ford’s Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, MI., and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, MO.
See ActivityVehicle.com for photo galleries and a more in-depth review.
