A lot of new things about the facelift of the F-150: The pick-up can drive autonomously, gets a new infotainment and a hybrid drive. But what about wireless charging? It was not available in previous model, so has Ford finally heard the cries of its customers?
Ford has given the F-150 an extensive facelift. The look is only slightly adjusted. A new headlight design, optionally in full LED, a revised bonnet with power domes, new aprons and eleven different grill designs, depending on the equipment and customer requirements, must be enough. In order to make the pick-up a little more economical, emphasis was also placed on less air resistance and the vehicle was equipped with active flaps in the grill, for example.
Wireless Charging
Yes, the new 2021 Ford F-150’s does come with a wireless charging pad, a long awaited feature that has finally been made available to F-150 fans. Not only that, the infotainment system has been upgraded to SYNC-4 operating system which now enables wireless connectivity with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay without having to plug in a USB cable.
Apple users can just place their iPhone on the wireless charging pad and then connect Apple CarPlay and stream music or use Google Maps without hassling with any wires. Its definitely a much appreciated feature.
“All-new SYNC 4 is standard, helping keep owners connected and make their days more productive with more natural voice control available as well as real-time mapping and customizable information on demand. The technology builds on more than 10 years of SYNC innovation by helping minimize distractions with hands-free voice control as well as core features such as making phone calls and selecting music. With twice the computing power of the previous-generation system, new SYNC 4 can wirelessly connect smartphones without the USB cord for seamless integration of Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™ compatibility as well as SYNC AppLink® apps like Waze and Ford+Alexa.”
Ford Motor Company
New interior with a large screen
The interior is completely new. There is now a huge 12-inch display for infotainment, which can also be split. This means, for example, that playlists and navigation can be displayed and operated side by side. However, the large screen is only available in the higher configurations, as standard there is an eight-inch touchscreen on board.
The speedometer of the F-150 facelift is now digital and has special graphics and animations ready for the pick-up. The software behind the infotainment is the current Sync 4 system from Ford. This means that many functions can also be operated via voice control, it also offers real-time navigation and its own apps such as Ford + Alexa and is updated wirelessly. Smartphones can now be connected wirelessly via Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Using the FordPass app, F-150 owners can also lock their vehicles using a smartphone, turn on the headlights individually to illuminate certain areas or set an alarm if someone wants to steal the trailer.
F-150 can drive autonomously
One of the new assistance systems is particularly interesting. Because in addition to expected features such as a trailer assistant that uses the cameras and provides graphical assistance for parking, the F-150 can also drive autonomously on some highways in North America from the end of 2021. The driver may take his or her hands off the steering wheel on the relevant roads, but must pay attention to traffic. This is monitored by cameras. The new model also comes with an integrated generator. The petrol engine has two kW, the hybrid 2.4 kW or 7.2 kW for an extra charge. Sockets with 120 volts and 20 amps are located in the cabin and on the side wall of the loading area. The generator can also be used while driving to charge batteries, for example.
For the first time as a hybrid
A hybrid drive is also brand new. It is a 3.5-liter V6 with 48 hp electric motor in the ten-speed automatic. The battery stores 1.5 kWh. Ford is still silent about the performance, but promises that the pick-up can pull up to 5.4 tons in this way and that one tank of fuel will cover more than 700 miles (1,100 kilometers). As a hybrid, the F-150 is also said to have special driving modes, including towing. Conventional V6 engines in various performance levels will continue to exist. The market launch for the Ford F-150 is in autumn 2020, Ford does not yet give any information about the prices.
