2015 Ford F-150 Unveiled – What You Need to Know
Tim Esterdahl | Jan 13, 2014 | Comments 13
With blaring music and all the pizzazz of a Hollywood movie premier, Ford unveiled it’s much anticipated Ford F-150. Here is what you need to know and a very interested observer’s take on it.
The all new F-150 front profile.
- Tougher: All-new high-strength steel frame, high-strength aluminum-alloy body, more than 10 million miles of testing and Baja 1000-proven 2.7-liter EcoBoost® engine
- Smarter: 11 new class-exclusive features, including 360-degree camera view, integrated loading ramps stowed in the pickup bed, 400-watt power outlets inside the cab, LED headlights and sideview mirror spotlights, and remote tailgate release
- More capable: Up to 700 pounds less weight plus four engine choices for an impressive combination of power, capability and efficiency
Other signature “class-leading” features will include:
- 360-degree camera view, using exterior cameras to create a bird’s-eye view of the truck to help the driver park, maneuver in tight spots and navigate down narrow roads and trails
- Integrated loading ramps, which enable easy loading of ATVs, motorcycles and mowers
- BoxLink™, which is a combination of metal brackets and custom cleats used to secure a variety of accessories in the cargo box, from ramps to storage bins to bed dividers
- LED headlamps and taillamps, which provide excellent nighttime visibility
- Trailer hitch assist, a new rear view camera feature that adds a dynamic line based on steering wheel angle in the display to help customers line up truck and trailer without requiring a spotter or having to get out of the vehicle
- Smart trailer tow module, using an all-new smart trailer tow wiring harness that helps identify and inform the driver of potential trailer connectivity issues, burned or unlit trailer marker lamps, and brake light and trailer battery faults
- Remote tailgate, allowing for the tailgate to be locked, unlocked and released with the key fob – eliminating manual locking and increasing convenience and security. The tailgate also is damped, dropping down, hands-free, to a flat position when opened
- High-wattage power outlets (400 watts, 110 volts) in the cab, allowing drivers to easily charge corded tools, battery chargers or mobile devices on-site or while driving
- LED spotlights on sideview mirrors, which provide powerful, durable and bright lighting around the truck exterior
- Latest EcoBoost® technology in an all-new, even more efficient 2.7-liter EcoBoost engine that features extremely high output and lightweight design
- Next-generation tailgate step, which is now fully integrated inside the tailgate and virtually invisible when not in use
The new interior of the 2015 Ford F-150.
What does Toyota think of the truck? Funny you ask. I happened to be standing at the Toyota press conference and guess who I ran into – Chief Engineer Mike Sweers. He shared his thoughts on the truck less than 30 minutes after he saw it.
(Editor’s note: It was incredibly loud where we were, here is my synopsis of what he said.)
Sweers said he was a bit surprised it wasn’t more innovative in its styling. While the aluminum might be OK on the large sheets of the door panels and beds, it is really where the metal is crimped that will show it’s durability the most. Also, his big question is in the aluminum bed. He pointed out that one of the issues with aluminum is in the stamping. If you get a little bit of dust on the stamp, it can screw up the mold. This will probably be most evident in the truck bed itself since it is a big piece to stamp.
The all new Ford F-150 rear profile.
Also of interest is the 2.7-L Ecoboost. Sweers shared a story where they took the larger V-6 Ecoboost to the Davis Dam. He said they averaged about 12.5 mpg with the truck. With a large truck powered by the tiny engine, how could it get better fuel economy. He also pointed out that truck customers buy trucks for utility. With the small motor, how does it fit the Ford work truck advertising.
Ultimately, he said the big question is how Ford can keep their low price point using the more expensive to produce aluminum. Actually, I overheard many different executives talking about this at various press conferences.
In the end, I think Toyota was pretty unimpressed by the unveil and it left more questions than answers. It remains to be seen how Ford plans to pull this one off. If they do though, it will be a game changer.
What do you think?
Filed Under: Auto News
I agree with much of what Swears said but at the same time, this truck has a bunch of new innovations while the Tundra has, well zero.
So while it’s easy to critisize some things right now, he and his team better be coming up with some new ideas for the Tundra, otherwise it will be ancient technology, which it’s on the verge of.
In addition to my thoughts on the new F150’s inevitable quality problems stemming from combining a steel frame with an aluminum body:
https://www.tundraheadquarters.com/blog/aluminum-2015-f150-problems/
My other thoughts on this new truck:
1. Is it really that new? The 2015 truck doesn’t look much different than the 2014.
2. Remote opening tailgates? Built-in AC inverters? Upgraded interior surface and expensive aluminum body panels? Is the era of the cheap F-150 over?
3. The 6.2L is gone?! If the EcoBoost is the highest performance engine in Ford’s line-up, Ford won’t win any comparisons with the Hemi, the Toyota 5.7, or the GM 6.2L.
In a market where “bragging rights” about capability and performance count for so much, Ford has gotten rid of their strongest motor…I wonder if consumers will respond negatively to that, or if Ford can successfully shift the focus to MPG?
4. Last but certainly not least, I would re-emphasize the costs of this new truck. It’s going to be expensive.
Four major errors with the new F150, two are carry overs problems and two are new:
Alumin-num
EcoBoost 2.7
EcoBoost 3.5
No warranty provided
There are solid reasons 8 out of 10 owners of the 3.5 EcoBoost are not buying another. I think Ford is in trouble.
Ok, so the items I mentioned above still hold 100% TRUE.
There are literally dozens of components that fail because of the condensation issue. The plugs failed on my truck with less than 10,000 miles “exactly” as illustrated in this Ford Tech’s video. This video talks only about the failed cats and failed plugs. Notice the dealer techs words “fighting”. Pay close attention. Why should anyone buying a new truck have to “fight”?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fze1x9GJJ3E
Ford will NEVER solve this problem. It is a Dew Point issue not a humidity issue.
Ford = Failed Engineering
According to this article base line will start at $24k up to $50k for a limited version.
http://money.msn.com/business-.....d=17251324
Now both articles did exactly what I thought it would do Neither mention the J2807 standards. Which tells me Ford lied again. With all the questions about the aluminum and Ford stating they will tow and haul more with this aluminum body and the same engine. When does the B/S flag come up. Ford’s unwillingness to do the J2807 standards is more than enough for me to never trust anything with a blue oval. NHTSA and EPA should raise cane on Ford over this.
I think its a nice truck but definetly not game changing. Its nice looking in the interior for me better the exterior. I cant wait to see how much this truck is gonna be. Probably need to work two jobs to afford one lol. I just recently got a 1794 tundra and absolutely love it. In my opinion if and when they get the fuel economy up with the new transmissions im hearing about I think the tundra is still right there with the rest if not better.
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[…] 2015 Ford F-150 Unveiled – What You Need to Know | Tundra Headquarters Blog Aluminum Revolution: Ford introduces a new F-150: Associated Press Business News – MSN Money 2015 Ford F-150 shaves 700 pounds, adds 2.7-liter EcoBoost [w/video] – Autoblog __________________ MIDNIGHT RIDER THIS TRUCK CAN TAKE A HIT AND KEEP ON TICKIN' […]
Tim,
I think regarding the smaller motor more MPG deal….
I think you could make the argument that if sweers got 12.5 in the big ecoboost old truck, then if this thing cut 700lbs, you could go smaller motor and get the same if not better within rated capacities. Remember the smaller ecoboost will be rated lower and is all new so it’s probably more efficient in itself.
also I read this regarding price
“The 2015 F-150 goes on sale late this year. While aluminum is more expensive that steel, Ford truck marketing chief Doug Scott says the F-Series will stay within the current price range”
I find it real interesting that they don’t have a large V8 now??? So I guess that also means we are going to have a Raptor 3.5 ecoboost? lame…
No large V8 takes it off my list already, I don’t care how much power the ecoboost has, I like large V8s and now you have to buy a yota 350, Ram 350, or gm 6.2 to get one.
these will be my choices going forward, and I know there are tons out there like me. And yes, I am aware that the ecoboost performs well, but there is more to it than that.
we’ll see…
Ill tell you this to knock off 700 lbs your gonna see these things all in ditches come winter to light!
Tundra needs to step up efficiency and ditch the c-channel frame. They need a high strength steel boxed frame like the leader F-150
Every Used Tundra I’ve ridden in seems “loose” and rattles when you hit a rough patch of road.
Frame flex is def not good on a direct mount truck body.
My Tundra is solid and feels tight over bumps. Most trucks will shudder when the tire’s sidewall height exceeds 60mm (see stock BF Goodrich 275-65-18).
I rented a ’13 F-150 with tall sidewall tires and it pitched and shuddered on even the smallest of bumps. he Tundra’s frame is fine. Boxing it throughout, as in the F-150, will add hundreds to the curb weight and won’t do much for smoothing bumps. Also remember, it’s a pickup truck.
I was shocked the F-150 just breaks even in weight with the GM twins! How does the Tundra stack up in weight?
The Ford with the 5.0L will be tough to beat. That’s a good motor! WIth Gm having fire issues now (start stop, software etc.), the Tundra with its ‘don’t mess with success” attitude is beginning to look like a smart buy!
I’m STILL getting 16.7 mpg hwy with a 4.88 rear!
[…] weighing around 4,300 lbs) than their 2013 counterparts, but that’s nothing compared to Ford’s 700 pound cut as a part of their new generation overhaul. While more efficient engines and evolved transmissions will help to improve fuel economy, the best […]