By: Jeffrey Ross
Autotropolis.com
Here at Autotropolis, we thought 2007 was a defining year for pickup trucks. With the introduction of remodeled trucks from Toyota, Nissan, Chevrolet and the Ford Super Duty and Dodge releasing a more powerful diesel engine for the heavy-duty Ram truck, it didn’t seem possible to have a more important year for pickups than 2007 was.
So far, the 2009 model year is shaping up to be just as busy and more important to one of the most iconic pickups on the market, the Ford F-150. As competition in the truck market continues to heat up, Ford looks to maintain the title of best selling truck that the F-150 has held for the last 31 years.
Introduced at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Ford is redesigning its F-150 for the 2009 model year, after only a four-year life cycle of the current model. In addition to the expected towing and cargo capabilities, the 2009 Ford F-150 sets out to become a benchmark in comfort and luxury for a full-size pickup truck.
At first glance, the twelfth iteration of the F-150 doesn’t appear to be a stark departure from the outgoing model. The new front end adds better aerodynamics and gives the new full-size pickup looks similar to other Ford trucks and SUVs. The front doors continue to use the stepped-down beltline to increase rearview visibility through the side mirrors, while the cargo bed incorporates a handful of nifty features that make getting into the bed and storing cargo in the bed much more convenient. The Regular cab and SuperCab models will continue to offer the same dimensions as the current F-150, but the SuperCrew, which offers four full forward opening doors, is stretched six inches to improve rear passenger comfort and interior cargo capacity.
Ford wanted to make sure that accessing cargo in the F-150’s bed would be easy no matter where items were stored. Retractable side steps, mounted between the cab and the rear wheels, make reaching items in the front area of the cargo bed even easier, and they extend out at the touch of a button. The F-150 Platinum will come equipped with power folding side steps to make getting into and out of the cab an easy task for passengers of any height. Ford’s ingenious tailgate step, made popular on the 2008 Super Duty, can now be found on the F-150’s tailgate now to make climbing into the cargo bed a simple task for almost anyone.
All 2009 F-150’s benefit from Ford’s Easy Fuel Capless Fuel System, which eliminates the need for a fuel filler cap. In addition to saving the extra two seconds required to unscrew the cap while refueling or the annoying check engine light caused by leaving the cap off and/or loose, the Easy Fuel system helps to better protect the environment by reducing the amount of gasoline fumes that escape when the cap is removed or left loose. Eventually, this technology will span Ford’s entire lineup.
Inside the 2009 F-150, the all-new interior is refined with an instrument cluster similar to the F-Series Super Duty lineup and a cleaner, slimmer layout of the center stack. Front bucket seats are available in the SuperCab and SuperCrew models and feature a larger center console big enough for multiple laptop computers and ridges to hold file folders in place. The SuperCrew also features a flat load floor once the rear seats are folded out of the way. The elimination of the center hump allows taller items to fit in the cab more easily.
While Ford’s popular in-car, voice-activated communication system, SYNC™, will find its way into the F-150’s cabin, the highlight of the entertainment system is the optional Sony stereo system that offers five-channel surround sound through 10 speakers and 700 watts of power. That is more audio strength than most home living rooms will ever see.
Upon introduction, the F-150 will offer three engine options: a 5.4-liter 24-valve Triton V-8, 4.6-liter 24-valve V-8 or the 4.6-liter 16-valve V-8 (which features more horsepower and better fuel economy than the previous F-150’s V-6). The obvious lack of a V-6 will be remedied a year after the 2009 is introduced as Ford announced that the 2010 F-150 will offer two progressive new engine options: a diesel engine and the turbocharged EcoBoost gasoline direct injection. These smaller engines will offer improved power and better fuel economy from a smaller displacement.
Years ago, the only reason to buy a pickup truck was to haul stuff in the bed or tow cargo on trailers. Ford made sure that the F-150 was fully capable of doing both safely. The built-in Cargo Management System and Stowable Bed Extender ensure that items stored in the bed safe and secure. A segment first for light-duty trucks, the 2009 F-150 offers a fully integrated trailer brake controller and rearview assist camera assist. To keep the truck and trailer safely on the road, standard safety features include trailer sway control and AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control)
Prices will be available closer to the fall launch of the 2009 F-150, but expect base XL trucks to start under $20,000. With the top-of-the-line Platinum essentially replacing the soon-to-be defunct Lincoln Mark LT, prices for the most luxurious F-150 ever should start somewhere near (probably above) the Lincoln’s current $38,000 price tag.
Photos courtesy of Ford Motor Company