What was without question the new shiny thing this year at the Texas Truck Rodeo was the all-new 2015 Ford F-150. In the hotly contested top honor of this event, the F-150 won Truck of Texas.
Before I get too much further after saying that, what made the 2015 Ford F-150 the winner for this year’s Truck Of Texas went well beyond the surface of first impressions and lust for what’s new.
This truck is a sea change, a vehicle which literally changes every aspect of what you expect from the full-size truck class. The headline ground breaker is its body constructed entirely of aluminum for up to 700 lbs weight loss on the high end and an average of 500 lbs in the mid levels.
That isn’t the whole story however as the new 2015 Ford F-150 brings with it all-new power-trains, a stronger high-strength steel frame, and segment first infotainment and driver assistance technology featues.
Because that new aluminum body itself is so dramatically lighter, Ford was able to increase the truck’s capabilities by almost the same amount of its weight savings. In the process, they also downsized the engine lineup, offering increased fuel economy but in a sick twist….still offering high power.
Those engines we tested included the all-new 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6, an engine you can option in addition to the already popular 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6. For only about $500 on the option sheet you get 325 horsepower and 375 lb-ft of towing torque .
Add new engines to a host of new driver serving technical features like a 360 degree view camera system which really does make life easier behind the wheel for the majority of full-size truck owners. There was a time when I scoffed these things, but you know what? They really do provide value.
How does it drive? Well as you can see the new F-150 is well capable of getting itself in and out of tight spots just the same as the one which came before it. The torque of its new EcoBoost engines or the venerable 5.0 liter V8 give you that go anywhere confidence you expect.
Its lighter weight isn’t something you notice in terms of a flimsier or less substantial feel, in fact with its stronger high-strength steel frame, the new F-150 feels tougher and tighter than ever. A dramatic distinction in feel of aluminum versus steel when behind the wheel just isn’t there, it just feels like a good ‘ol truck.
We’ll bring you a far more detailed drive review here soon so stayed tuned. For more news and test drives of Fords and Mustangs see our partner channel TheMustangNews.com.
