The thirteenth-generation Ford F-Series was unveiled at the 2014 North American International Auto Show on January 13, 2014. Based on an all-new platform, the 2015 Ford F-150 marked the adoption of aluminum body construction for the F-Series.
Using an exterior design previewed by the 2013 Ford Atlas concept vehicle, the 2015 F-150 introduced a number of driver assistance and safety technologies to the vehicle, including a 360-Degree camera, Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support, Blind Spot Information System with Cross-Traffic Alert, and Lane-Keeping System.
For the 2017 model year, the Ford Super Duty truck line was completely redesigned for the first time. For the first time since the 1999 model year, all models of the F-Series from the F-150 through the F-550 utilized a common cab design, though the Super Duty utilizes its own front bodywork and unique bed, as well as two separate platforms (depending on GVWR).
Video Ford F-Series (thirteenth generation)
Design overview
Although not the first vehicle developed by Ford with an aluminum body (in 1993, the company developed aluminum Mercury Sable prototypes, reducing nearly 400 pounds of curb weight), it was the first full-production vehicle built of aluminum from the company; the change also included the best-selling vehicle in North America. As of 2016, 85% of the F-150 is made in USA.
Chassis
While nearly all body panels of the F-150 were converted from steel to aluminum construction (the only significant sheetmetal component constructed of steel is the firewall), the frame remained of steel construction, the use of high-strength steel in the frame was increased from 23% to 77%. To showcase the durability of the aluminum-intensive design, Ford entered prototypes of the model disguised as 12th generation F150s in the Baja 1000.
In an effort to offer a wider range of fuel-efficient engines for the F-150, a 3.5L version of the Ti-VCT V6 replaced the 3.7L version as the entry-level engine. In place of the 3.7L V6, an all-new 2.7L EcoBoost V6 made its debut, with the 3.5L EcoBoost continuing. With the 6.2L V8 again exclusive to the Super Duty line, the 5.0L V8 was retuned for additional horsepower and torque output. As with its predecessor, no manual transmission is available, with a 6-speed automatic paired with all drivelines.
Engines
Body
The 2015 Ford F-150 makes a number of design departures from previous F-Series trucks. In a major redesign of the headlights, the rectangular headlight units were replaced with C-shaped units bracketing a trapezoidal grille. The LED headlights were originally planned to use glass for the optics to focus the beam, but it could not achieve the needed clarity, so Ford designers instead used polycarbonate thermoplastic. Each lamp uses one LED for the high beam, a second one for the low beam and one for the orange thermoplastic light pipe. The two beams, along with the light pipe, are then housed within one module.
On the tailgate, the area between the taillamps became partially recessed (as on 1980s versions), with the option of chrome trim. The taillamp assembly also houses the blind spot monitor; these systems were not typically included on pickup trucks because the system could not be packaged inside steel bumpers typically found on pickup trucks.
Maps Ford F-Series (thirteenth generation)
Trim
As part of the redesign, several changes were made to the trim lineup for the Ford F-Series. In an effort to consolidate models, the STX and FX2/FX4 trims were discontinued; the Tremor and Harley-Davidson special editions were not included in the redesign either. To make up for the loss of the previous trims, the features of the STX became a stand-alone option package, as did the FX4. To complete engineering work on the model, the SVT Raptor submodel went out of production, returning for the 2017 model year.
The thirteenth-generation F-Series follows traditional Ford truck nomenclature with XL, XLT, and Lariat trims, joined with King Ranch and Platinum trims (shared with the Super Duty line). For 2016, the Limited trim level was revived (slotted above the Platinum trim).
- XL (2015- )
- XLT (2015- )
- Lariat (2015- )
- King Ranch (2015- )
- Platinum (2015- )
- Limited (2016- )
- Raptor (2017- )
F-150 Raptor
Following a two-year hiatus, the F-150 Raptor sub-model makes its return for the 2017 model year, with the loss of its previous SVT prefix. As with its predecessor, the 2017 Raptor is an offroad-oriented vehicle produced in SuperCab and SuperCrew configurations with a model-exclusive 5.5' pickup bed. The model continues its lack of a Ford Blue Oval grille badge, with "F-O-R-D" spelled across the center of the grille.
As with a standard Ford F-150, the Raptor is an aluminum-intensive vehicle; though built upon a steel frame, nearly all its body panels are built using aluminum (reducing curb weight by nearly 500 pounds over an equivalent 2014 SVT Raptor). In place of the 411 hp 6.2L V8, the new Raptor features a 3.5L twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 paired with an industry-first 10-speed automatic transmission. The new engine improves the horsepower by 39 horsepower to 450, and increases the torque substantially from the old engine to 510 ft-lbs of torque.
To improve its off-road ability over a standard F-150, the Raptor is fitted with a torque-on-demand transfer case, 13" travel front and 13.9" travel rear Fox Racing suspension, and all-terrain 35" tires and wheels.
Facelift
For 2018, the Ford F-150 receives a mid-cycle restyling. The new F-150 receives exterior styling cues from its larger sibling, the Ford Super Duty, including a single-bar front grille to replace the previous tri-bar unit. The rear tailgate is now embossed with the 'F-150' logo, replacing the previous 'F-150' emblem on the old tailgate. The rear tail lamps are also slightly restyled. As per 2018 Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, all 2018 F-150 models receive a standard rear-view backup camera.
There are two new engines for 2018. The first new engine is the 290-horsepower, 3.3L naturally-aspirated gasoline V6 unit to replace the existing 3.5L naturally-aspirated gasoline V6 unit. The other engine option is a new 3.0L Powerstroke V6 turbodiesel engine that is set to debut in mid-2018. The 325-horsepower 2.7L EcoBoost Twin-Turbocharged gasoline V6, the 385-horsepower 3.5L EcoBoost Twin-Turbocharged gasoline V6, and the 390-horsepower 5.0L "Coyote" naturally-aspirated and FlexFuel-capable V8 gasoline engine all remain, as does the high-output 3.5L EcoBoost Twin-Turbocharged gasoline V6 in the Raptor model, though all engines aside from the base 3.3L naturally-aspirated gasoline V6 unit are now paired with a ten-speed automatic transmission (the base engine is still mated to a six-speed unit).
On the interior, the 2018 F-150 sees little change from the 2015-2017 interior, though SYNC Connect, which includes a five-year trial subscription, and provides remote access to the vehicle, service information, and other vehicle-related information, is available on select models for the SYNC 3 infotainment system. Also, the B&O PLAY premium audio system, manufactured by Bang & Olufsen, replaces the old Sony premium audio system option on higher trim levels. SiriusXM Satellite Radio also becomes standard on XLT and above models.
Trim levels for 2018 are unchanged from 2017: XL, XLT, Lariat, Raptor, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited remain available, as do three cab configurations (two-door, two to three-passenger Regular Cab, four-door, five to six-passenger Super Cab, and four-door, five to six-passenger SuperCrew Cab, and three different bed lengths dependent upon trim level and cab configuration (5.5ft, 6.5ft, or 8ft). All models are available with two-wheel-drive (4X2) or four-wheel-drive (4X4), aside from the Raptor, which is exclusively available with four-wheel-drive (4X4). Some new appearance packages become available for 2018, mainly on the lower trim levels.
Gallery
References
External links
- Official 2015 Ford F-150 website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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