The Ford F-150 pickup truck is the most important car in the United States. Now it is new and has several cool features including a much larger infotainment system display.
The most important, best-selling and without a doubt the most American vehicle in the USA goes into the 14th Generation. Ford has been building the F-series pickups since 1948 and has conquered the country from farmer to president. Last year alone, Ford sold an incredible 896,526 F-150s in the United States – this truck is a cult. Interest is correspondingly great when the icon is renewed, which Ford celebrated this time – due to the current times – in a large online presentation on the brand’s social media channels instead of having a pompous party.
However, there is no big surprise in terms of appearance. Now it was not to be expected that Ford would make a stylish sporty design, but at a glance, number 14 looks more like a facelift of the previous model, not like a completely new model generation. Certainly not unintentionally, the truck’s millions of fans don’t like surprises so much.
The clearest distinguishing feature in the front of the wall unit is the new LED daytime running lights, which frame the headlights at the top and sides. However, there will be no uniform front, since a total of eleven different grille designs are available for the various equipment levels.
Larger infotainment center display
The interior of the new 2021 Ford F-150 is dominated by the large 12-inch screen in landscape orientation of the new multimedia system, but its an optional feature – the standard screen size is 8-inch. It is almost the same size of Ram 1500 which has 12.3 inch infotainment display in portrait orientation.
The Ford F-150 goes online as standard and can be the first pickup to receive future software updates “over the air” instead of having to go to the workshop. A new feature is the use of the huge center console as a work table; the cover is simply folded forward.
Streaming services and sleeper seats in the Ford F-150
The standard Sync 4 system for online vehicle networking also brings real-time traffic maps and enables improved voice control. The integration of smartphones via Android Auto and Apple Carplay will work wirelessly in the future. Streaming services can also be received via the new multimedia system. Also new are the “Recline Seats”, which can be ordered optionally. They can be folded back by up to 180 degrees and, like business class seats on planes, should also be used for a nap in between.
In addition to additional safety assistance systems, the new Ford F-150 is also prepared for autonomous driving. The driver is observed with a camera to ensure that he has an eye on the road and the traffic situation. Ford states that autonomous driving of the new F-150 is permitted on the highways of all 50 US states. However, this function has not yet been activated: The hardware for the “Active Drive Assist” is already available, the necessary software for autonomous driving is to be installed automatically as an update in the third quarter of 2021 – modern times.
In terms of engines, however, Ford remains largely classic. There are six machines to choose from. Base engine is a 3.3 liter naturally aspirated V6 petrol engine. The biturbo engines from the Eco Boost series with 2.7 and 3.5 liter displacement rank above this. A five-liter naturally aspirated V8 rounds off the gasoline quartet. For diesel lovers, there will be a three-liter V6 turbodiesel. And as the only reminiscence of modern times so far, the new top engine is a hybrid drive without an external charging function. Ford does not currently provide any power and torque information for all engines. All engines come with ten-speed automatic as standard.
Ford F-150 with hybrid drive
The new 3.5-liter Power-Boost Full Hybrid V6 is not only supposed to be the most powerful of all available engines, it also brings some other special features. A lithium-ion battery with a capacity of 1.5 kWh serves as a buffer battery, which enables purely electric driving over short distances. For this purpose, a 35 kW electric motor is integrated in the gearbox, which also supports the petrol engine when there is a high power requirement. In addition, the hybrid gets the largest tank (139 liters) and the longest range (1,126 kilometers according to American standards) of all F-150 models.
Elsewhere, the new hybrid drive is the most powerful variant: Ford is equipping the F-150 with the “Pro Power Onboard” system for an additional charge, which provides sockets for the AC power supply in the vehicle and on the loading area. The pure combustion engines have 120 volt sockets and a maximum output of 2.0 kW. The system gets the hybrid as standard and delivers a maximum of 2.4 kW. For a surcharge, the Power Boost Hybrid can also be upgraded with a maximum 7.2 kW power supply, then there is also a 240 volt socket that can be loaded with up to 30 amps. According to Ford, an F-150 equipped in this way will no longer need a power generator on construction sites because all standard power tools can be connected directly to the pickup.
The new Ford F-150 rolls off the assembly line in Dearborn, Michigan and Calycomo, Missouri. It will come to the dealers in autumn 2020, corresponding to model year 2021. Ford currently does not name any prices, the F-150 series is currently starting at $28,740 before taxes.
Conclusion
Ford does not bring a revolution with the 14th generation of the F-150, but an evolution of the subject. Given the conservative clientele, that’s probably not the worst idea. Accordingly, the huge truck is improved compared to the previous generation, especially in practical details.
The powerful power supply of external devices is an exciting feature in the literal sense, the announced autonomous driving is a novelty in this vehicle class. Anyone who has been waiting for an electric drive or at least a plug-in hybrid will be disappointed. After all, Ford has struggled to get a standard hybrid that will bring fuel consumption down somewhat. However, this will not be very cheap, because the hybrid is intended as a top engine.
