2015 Ford F-150 (just released)

[christopher]

Ford Just Unveiled It’s New F-150 Truck and It’s Being Called ‘Radical’

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/201...new-f-150-truck-and-its-being-called-radical/

Ford Just Unveiled It’s New F-150 Truck and It’s Being Called ‘Radical’

<time itemprop="datePublished" datetime="2014-01-14"> Jan. 14, 2014 8:39am </time> Jonathon M. Seidl
“Radical.”

That’s how Ford’s new F-150 truck is being described after the redesigned 2015 model was unveiled at the Detroit auto show on Monday. And besides calling it “radical,” the Associated Press is also saying it’s the talk of the show.

So what’s so radical? The auto-maker shaved 700 pounds off the truck by making it the first to be made mostly out of aluminum:

Ford Motor Co. unveiled the 2015 F-150, whose body is 97-percent aluminum, on Monday. The lighter material shaves as much as 700 pounds off the 5,000-pound truck, a revolutionary change for a vehicle known for its heft and an industry still reliant on steel. No other vehicle on the market contains this much aluminum.

The change is Ford’s response to small-business owners’ desire for a more fuel-efficient and nimble truck – and stricter government requirements on fuel economy. It sprang from a challenge by Ford’s CEO to move beyond the traditional design for a full-size pickup.
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See it for yourself:

• New Ford F-150
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">The Associated Press</cite>Trick roper Ketch Weaver, of Buffalo, Texas, pulls back the cover to unveil the new steel frame, aluminum-alloy body Ford F150 at Gilley's in downtown Dallas, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. The truck features a 360 degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the truck bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and side view mirror spotlights and remote tailgate release. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Tom Fox) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY; NO SALES.
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">The Associated Press</cite>Ford Motor Co. executive director of North American product engineering Frank Davis unveils the new steel frame, aluminum-alloy body F150 at Gilley's in downtown Dallas, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. The truck features a 360 degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the truck bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and side view mirror spotlights and remote tailgate release. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Tom Fox) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY; NO SALES.
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">The Associated Press</cite>The interior of the newly unveiled steel frame, aluminum-alloy body Ford F150 is photographed at Gilley's in downtown Dallas, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. The truck features a 360 degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the truck bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and side view mirror spotlights and remote tailgate release. (AP Photo/The Dallas Morning News, Tom Fox) MANDATORY CREDIT; MAGS OUT; TV OUT; INTERNET USE BY AP MEMBERS ONLY; NO SALES.
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">The Associated Press</cite>Ford unveils the new F-150 with a body built almost entirely out of aluminum. at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">The Associated Press</cite>Journalists surround the new F-150 with a body built almost entirely out of aluminum at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Monday, Jan. 13, 2014. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">The Associated Press</cite>This undated photo provided by Ford shows the company's new 2015 F-150 pickup truck. On Monday, Jan. 13, 2014, Ford unveils a new F-150 built almost entirely out of aluminum. The lighter material, which shaves as much as 700 pounds off the truck, will save fuel and make the truck more nimble without sacrificing power, Ford says. (AP Photo/Ford)
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">Getty Images</cite>The new Ford F150 is introduced at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit on January 13, 2014. AFP PHOTO/Geoff Robins
  
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  <cite style="text-align: right; display: block; color: rgb(153, 153, 153); padding: 5px 10px 0px 0px; font-size: 12px;" class="DL-source dlq-meta">Getty Images</cite>DETROIT, MI - JANUARY 13: Ford introduces the new F-150 pickup truck at the North American International Auto Show on January 13, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The auto show opens to the public January 18-26.
  

“It’s a landmark moment for the full-size pickup truck,” Jack Nerad, editorial director for Kelley Blue Book, told the AP.

Still, there is some skepticism.

“Trucks are put to such hard use. They take bangs and dings and a lot of hard use,” Nerad added. “We’ll see how the use of lightweight aluminum plays out in the field.”

Judging by first impressions, however, the truck will at least get a shot at proving itself.

 

[christopher]

<iframe width="853" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/Xp2TOg3ctyo?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[christopher]

Ford just launched their new page.
http://www.ford.com/trucks/f150/2015/

 

[christopher]

<hgroup class="title"> http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1401_2015_ford_f_150_first_look/
First Look: 2015 Ford F-150

Can Aluminum Beat Chevy and Ram Attempts at Pickup One-Upsmanship

</hgroup> By Frank Markus | January 12, 2014 |
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See All 47 Photos


The veil has been lifted, and the questions about the 2015 Ford F-150, debuting at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show, have been answered: Yes, the next F-150’s cab and pickup box will be almost entirely made of various grades of aluminum. Yes, magnets will still stick to the steel chassis frame. So yes, towing and hauling capacities (not yet announced) can be expected to increase by roughly the body-mass savings, which are only quantified as “up to 700 pounds.” Let’s start right there. Because it’s the switch from steel to aluminum in the body that accounts for 70 percent of the weight savings, the bigger the bodywork, the bigger the savings. Hence: short-cab/short box, probably 500 or fewer pounds saved. SuperCrew long-box—maybe a bit more than 700. The big volume SuperCrew short box should come in around the 700-pound mark. The only major piece of the body sheet metal that is not aluminum is the Quiet Steel laminated sound-absorbing firewall -- aluminum just can’t match its performance for hushing engine noise. While Ford is being coy about defining the alloys used, we’re told they’re the same as used in military HMMWVs and aerospace applications. The engineering team learned about aluminum when assisting with the development of the original aluminum Jaguar XJ. We’re assured that it will resist dents and dings better than steel, and that it will not be substantially more expensive to repair (and hence to insure).

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Roughly 70 pounds were saved in the chassis, by increasing the percentage of high and ultra-high-strength steel alloys (up to 70,000-psi tensile strength) from 23 to 77 percent. These alloys reportedly outperform aluminum in terms of overall rigidity and other factors. The rest of the weight savings come from things like a lighter transfer case. There isn’t much “cascade effect” light-weighting of other components due to the lighter bodywork, as you typically get in a passenger car, because there’s little or no downscaling of the gross vehicle weight or gross combined weight ratings. So brakes still need to be able to stop the same mass, for example. The idea is, you can save fuel when the truck is empty, or you haul more weight. There’s more big news under the hood, where four engines are still offered. The entry 3.7-liter TiVCT V-6, which accounts for 15% of current sales, gets downsized to 3.5 liters while outperforming its predecessor in every way. Next up the ladder is a brand new 2.7-liter EcoBoost V-6 that is reportedly unrelated to the 3.5. It features a light-but-tough compacted-graphite iron block and is optimized for high fuel economy for customers who do not need to tow 8000 pounds. The familiar 5.0-liter V-8 occupies the third rung of the ladder, and the top engine is now the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, as the 6.2-liter gets put out to pasture. No output ratings have been announced as yet, and six-speed automatic transmissions will back all engines. Oh, and speaking of tow ratings, Ford says it will rate its trucks according to the recently revised SAE J2807 standard, after which we can expect GM and Ram to follow suit, putting an end to the difficult-to-compare ratings we’ve heretofore enjoyed.

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Fun fact about that 2.7-liter: It received a trial-by-fire durability test by running incognito in the 2013 Baja 1000 desert race, mounted in a prototype body running the 2015 frame and all aluminum bodywork stamped to look like the 2013 truck. The truck reportedly survived the race without incident, after which the team installed a Plexiglas windshield and drove home. Styling-wise, the new truck is a pretty faithful production of the Atlas concept from last year’s NAIAS. The basic grille and headlamp shapes are retained, and top models will indeed get innovative (segment first) LED headlamps that employ a single LED and advanced “ice cube” optics for each of the low and high beam lamps. LED signature light pipes will identify upper-series F-150s from the front and rear. The “double-bubble” roof is gone, but the “roof tongue” of sheetmetal extending down above the rear-view mirror remains, with outboard sections of the windshield extending farther up for better visibility. The base of the windshield is moved forward to provide several degrees more rake, in the name of aerodynamics. Also on the visibility front, the lower side window beltline has been lowered an inch, the drop-down in the front window beltline plunges 2 inches lower, and the front edge of the front side window is extended almost 4 inches forward. Similarly, the rear glass is now flush mounted. Other aero tricks include grille shutters on all models, a deeper front airdam, and a 6-inch plateau on the top of the tailgate to aid in airflow separation.

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That wide spot at the top of the tailgate also enabled some handy upgrades of the optional tailgate step, which now deploys with one hand in one motion, no second-stage unfolding of the step necessary. And the assist railing now stows inside the tailgate, telescoping out and pivoting up instead of remaining visible on the tailgate, making it uncomfortable to sit on the tailgate and fussy to shovel mulch out of. Oh, and that tailgate can now be opened by pressing a key-fob button (another segment first). You’re on your own to hoist it closed, though. There’s loads more innovation in the bed. A BoxLink system of four mounting points can accept tie-down cleats midway up the bed wall -- often a more convenient location for tying down than the floor corners. These cleats can be removed, and a set of (segment first) telescoping motorcycle or ATV ramps can attach there. The upper lip of the bed is about an inch lower, making it easier to reach into the bed, and bed-side steps are now available even on the shortest boxes. LED spotlights illuminate the bed, though these seem inferior to GM’s under-rail rope lighting. And of course, just being constructed of aluminum means the entire box is considerably more dent-resistant. Inside, the front seats are moved 0.8 inches outboard, so the console can be 1.6 inches wider and more versatile. It boasts slots for two USB and one SD-card plus a 400-watt 110-volt plug. All F-150s get lovely high-def color screens in the instrument cluster and infotainment center, small 4-inch ones on the cheaper models, and big ones twice that size on top models. Cameras all around provide 360-degree around-view monitoring and 180-degree forward visibility for poking out of alleys, there’s forward collision mitigation, lane-keeping assist, blind-spot monitoring radar, and (two more segment firsts self-parking and a panoramic sunroof. Another nice touch: SuperCab model rear “suicide” doors now open 170 degrees (up from 90), offering some prayer of exiting the vehicle in a tight-ish parking lot.

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In keeping with the Lexus-like level of standard and optional equipment, the interior trim, materials, and craftsmanship on the top-flight Platinum model on display were exquisite. There are soft-touch materials everywhere, stitching, knurled aluminum knobs on the radio and climate controls, reasonable looking fake or genuine wood trim, depending on model series, and a nice palette of available. Even the base XL looks fairly dressy in basic black. Exterior color choices number a lucky 13: Tuxedo Black, Oxford White, Ingot Silver, Magnetic (think charcoal gray), Race Red, Ruby Red, Blue Jeans, Blue Flame, Green Gem, Caribou, Guard (gray/green), Bronze Fire, and White Platinum tri-coat. That roster of newly added standard, optional, and segment first equipment almost sounds like 700 pounds’ worth, so we’re dying to roll an alloy F-150 onto our scales and see what the real-world weight savings are. We applaud Ford for taking such a bold and technically challenging step forward, and we can’t wait to see how the competition responds. Maybe a carbon-fiber Silverado?

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Read more: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/trucks/1401_2015_ford_f_150_first_look/#ixzz2qOXOMl00

 

[1Fast68]

Looks like a RAM

 

[milehighassassin]

I'm not big on the outside. I think the inside looks nice. Not sold on that new smaller motor. What I do like:

-Blind zone assist (will be required soon)
-360 camera, but curious how well it works
-aluminum, big move and expensive move. We'll see how it holds up, but that is a big weight saving move and you will see more of it in the future.

What I think is lame:
-Integrated ramps (seriously, who cares? I have ramps if I need them)
-Center mounted shifter. Keep it on the column! It wastes space in the center.

 

[mp_2009]

i would rather have the center counsel shifter and i know other people do to if you dont like it there get the folding middle seat

 

[polarisfornow]

I'm not big on the outside. I think the inside looks nice. Not sold on that new smaller motor. What I do like:

-Blind zone assist (will be required soon)
-360 camera, but curious how well it works
-aluminum, big move and expensive move. We'll see how it holds up, but that is a big weight saving move and you will see more of it in the future.

What I think is lame:
-Integrated ramps (seriously, who cares? I have ramps if I need them)
-Center mounted shifter. Keep it on the column! It wastes space in the center.

I agree on this. Very bold move on a truck. I would be a little concerned about lots of little dings and dents. They've made it such a point that its more dent resistant than steel that it makes me wonder if the engineers say that but the real world will say differently. I remember when chevy came out with the composite boxes... they didn't exactly set the world of fire. Time will tell on that.

 

[Bubba]

picup

All i can say is it can haul a bag of garbage to the can

 

[carlc]

Looks like a RAM

My thoughts exactly. Front end, dash and steering wheel look really similar


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[MORSNO]

Aluminum body parts cannot be repaired like steel, it must be replaced. I have a Volvo S40 with an aluminum hood. I got a small dent in my hood from a plastic traffic marker and had to buy a new hood (not cheap!). Pounding out dents and bondo are not an option. There also is a special hood vent running to the battery to keep the venting gasses from eating through the aluminum. It's soft and the paint chips very easy from the aluminum, the steel fenders look great, aluminum hood not so good.

I do think it looks good, but lets see how these aluminum trucks hold up to gravel roads and winter sanding.

 

[BHPete]

The hoods have been aluminum for years. As has been the hatches on the Expys. Land rover has always been full aluminum bodies, so it's time has come! Paint is not an issue if it is prepped properly, and minor damage can be repaired!
Looks like an F250 breed a Toyota, but at least it is not as ugly as What Gubernment Motors served up!

 

[polarisfornow]

Now this is interesting... I didn't know that aluminum was widely used on ford hoods and tails until just now. Well a little of the google machine turned up a lot of complaints.... And I mean tons. Ford may be gambling even more than I first thought.

http://www.designnews.com/author.as...&dfpPParams=bid_240,aid_212222&dfpLayout=blog

http://www.expeditionforum.com/f40/...register-complaint-read-fords-response-16012/

http://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/937784-whats-up-with-the-hood-major-paint-failure.html

http://www.f150forum.com/f38/wtf-up-aluminum-hood-87458/index3/


This is just a few that I found and some of these are affecting vehicles as new as 2011.....

 

[christopher]

There is no doubt but that this IS a MAJOR gamble on Ford's part.
But its mighty hard to think they didn't test this one our pretty well.
The F150 is their BREAD & BUTTER for the company.
Screw this up and it cuts to the bone!

Just did a quick search....

It's showtime for Ford's gamble on aluminum F-150

Ford Gambles on Aluminum-clad F-150 Pickup

Ford makes a big gamble on new aluminum F-150

Ford takes calculated risk with aluminum F-150

Ford's big aluminum gamble

Ford bets big on aluminum

All eyes are on Ford's F150 made of aluminum

Aluminum Ford may be 787 of auto world
Can the new aluminum F-150 deliver?

 

[christopher]

I wonder what dropping 700lbs off the truck's weight will do to the over all fuel economy.

Was out looking at some of the Ford Ecoboost forums last night and the variance in fuel mileage from one truck to the other is wild with this little engine. Anywhere from 12-17 in the city and 17-25 on the highway.

 

[milehighassassin]

I think it's baby steps. Just like dropping weight on a sled. You won't notice the power difference but as you combined lost weight over the years it starts to add up (or down). Vehicles are already getting heavier because of safety items, multiple air bags, cross member supports, side impact door beams, cages within the passenger compartment, then you add the amenities like heated and cooled seats, DVD screens, navigation, 11 speaker sound system, more insulation for quieter rides, etc, etc.

 

[christopher]

it will be interesting to see how they market the new "little" engine as well.
Since ford doesn't offer an F100 or a Ranger, I am guessing they are offering that F150 with the 2.7L Ecoboost to try and fill that bottom end slot.

 

[polarisfornow]

I wonder what dropping 700lbs off the truck's weight will do to the over all fuel economy.

Was out looking at some of the Ford Ecoboost forums last night and the variance in fuel mileage from one truck to the other is wild with this little engine. Anywhere from 12-17 in the city and 17-25 on the highway.

I would guess that the weight drop will do way more for city MPG then it will for he hiway. Once you're up to hiway speed that extra weight isn't a real big deal. A good comparison would be how much of a difference is the mileage in your current truck with or without a sled in the box. Mine is about the same either way. Wind affects my truck way more than payload does.

As far as the variance on eco mpg it really comes down to speed. The 1 guy that I know in the western states says his eco is real thirsty on the hiway. 75 mph speed limits. My buddy that has one in MN where the speed is much lower (70 interstate and 55 on most rural hiways) loves his and raves about the mileage. In fact my best tank in my 12 hemi was 24.2 driving from duluth, mn to brookings, sd. All back hiways 60-65 mph.

 

[mountainhorse]

Even with all the talk and great performance that the Ecoboost offers...
I still cant figure out why a Global company like Ford,
with stellar Turbo Diesel engines in all sizes, can't find a way to put one into a 1/2 ton in the US.

Can't beat the real world pull of a good diesel.

Like the Ford made, 3.2L, 5 cly, Power Stroke turbo diesel that ford will actually run in the transit vans in the USA... with a 6 speed auto option

Sweet truck... but missing the diesel plant!!

http://www.trucktrend.com/roadtests/163_1308_2014_ford_transit_power_stroke_first_look/

.

 

[christopher]

Even with all the talk and great performance that the Ecoboost offers...
I still cant figure out why a Global company like Ford,
with stellar Turbo Diesel engines in all sizes, can't find a way to put one into a 1/2 ton in the US.

Can't beat the real world pull of a good diesel.

.

I think that one is a slam dunk easy answer.
They will not do ANYTHING to endanger the sales of their full size diesel engines until they have NO alternative.

I would guess it is PURE $$$ decisions.

With the new small 6 cylinder Dodge coming out, I am willing to bet it won't be long before we DO see our first small diesel Ford....