Tougher, smarter, new Ford F-150 pick-up truck gets first diesel

FORD has revealed the new Ford F-150 pick-up truck at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit – and America’s best-selling truck for 40 years gets its first diesel engine, a 3-litre V6 turbo diesel.

Ford says it is now even tougher, even smarter and even more capable than ever.

So wouldn’t it be good if they started sharing it this side of the Atlantic?

Three years after first introducing the high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy-bodied Ford F-150, the new F-150 arrives with bold new front and rear styling, advanced technologies – including optional Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection – and improved engines.

The new engines include the all-new 3.0-litre Power Stroke V6 turbo diesel and enhanced V6 and V8 petrol engines.

Joe Hinrichs, Ford President, The Americas, said: “Truck customers are constantly looking to improve their productivity, for work and for play.

“Since 1977, we’ve been America’s favorite truck, and we’ve never taken that leadership for granted. This new F-150 is our latest example of Ford’s commitment to going further for our customers through continuous innovation.”

The 2018 F-150 is part of the Ford F-Series truck lineup, America’s best-selling truck for 40 consecutive years and America’s best-selling vehicle for 35 years.

The new F-150 delivers on its Built Ford Tough promise through a segment-exclusive combination of advanced materials that are durable and inhibit corrosion.

A high-strength steel fully boxed ladder frame and high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body save weight and add capability, helping F-150 tow heavier trailers than ever and deliver best-in-class payload ratings.

The 2018 F-150 lineup is new with even tougher looks. From XL to top-of-the-line Limited, all Ford F-150 models receive new grilles, headlamps and bumpers that create a visually wider and more planted stance and maximum differentiation between the series.

Further enhancing its “milled from a block of high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy” look, the F-150 features six all-new wheel designs, ranging from 17 inches to 22 inches in diameter.

New Ford F-150 leads with new technologies

Ford F-150 advances the light-duty pickup truck segment again with segment-first and class-exclusive technologies that improve productivity, efficiency and driver confidence, while keeping occupants connected to the world around them.

• The segment-first optional adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality allows drivers to set a cruising speed. They then use radar and camera technology to monitor traffic ahead to maintain a set distance between vehicles – even down to a complete stop.
• Another segment-first is Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection that helps the driver avoid or mitigate collisions with vehicles and pedestrians.
• With a new available embedded 4G LTE modem for a Wi-Fi hot spot, customers can connect up to 10 mobile devices at one time, virtually anywhere.
• New B&O PLAY optional audio system takes advantage of high-end speakers, sound and tuning to deliver a richer, more engaging listening experience.

These technologies join existing segment-exclusive driver assist and convenience options that include:

• SYNC and SYNC 3 with FordPass enables compatibility of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – plus mobility services to help customers move more efficiently
• 360-degree camera technology helps improve driver confidence when parking and can help reduce stress when connecting a trailer – allowing customers to see more so they can focus on specific tasks such as lining up a hitch
• Lane-keeping system is designed to help reduce unintentional drifting of the vehicle outside the intended lane
• Optional Blind Spot Information System with trailer tow technology is optimised for F-150 to include the length of a trailer up to 33 feet; BLIS uses radar sensors in the tail lamps to monitor areas that may not be visible to the driver

First diesel in new engine line-up

Ford builds on its performance leadership by offering the most advanced F-150 engine lineup ever, plus the best towing capability of any F-150 ever.

The new F-150 introduces an all-new, standard 3.3-litre V6 engine, with direct-injection for increased efficiency. This is expected to offer the same 282 horsepower and 253 lb/ft. of torque as the previous model’s standard 3.5-litre V6.

An all-new second-generation 2.7-litre EcoBoost engine features advanced dual port and direct injection technology, reduced internal friction and improved robustness – all for improved levels of output, efficiency, quality and durability. Like the 3.5-litre EcoBoost, the 2.7 EcoBoost will be paired to the segment-exclusive 10-speed automatic transmission for 2018.

The 5.0-litre V8 also sees improvements in 2018, as the naturally aspirated engine features significant upgrades for increased power and torque. It’s also paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission for the first time.

The 2018 F-150 also adds the option of the all-new 3.0-litre Power Stroke diesel, designed, engineered and tested in-house and paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission. It’s the first-ever diesel engine offered for F-150.

In addition to the segment-first 10-speed automatic, the Ford F-150 is now the first full-size pickup truck to add automatic start/stop as standard equipment across all models and engines.

Well-appointed cab of the new Ford F-150 pick-up truck