F-150 King Ranch (2001–present)
In 2001, Ford’s marketing department leveraged a partnership with the 825,000-acre King Ranch in south Texas, which is the largest ranch in both Texas and the United States and which operates a large fleet of Ford trucks. The truck was emblazoned with the King Ranch’s “Running W” brand and upholstered in saddle leather. It was the industry’s first full-size lightweight pickup truck with a full rear passenger compartment and four full-size doors, becoming the SuperCrew cab. Along with the Limited and Platinum, the King Ranch continues to comprise the luxury end of the F-150 spectrum. 40% of King Ranch F-150 sales are in Texas, Ford’s largest pickup truck market.[33]
F-150 Platinum (2009–present)
Ford F-150 Platinum
Introduced for 2009, the Platinum is a luxury-oriented trim of the Ford F-150. Effectively replacing the Lincoln Mark LT in the United States and Canada[34] (though its production continued through 2014 in Mexico), the Platinum adopted many of the luxury features and content from the Mark LT with more subdued exterior styling (the Platinum was fitted with an egg-crate grille similar to early models of the Ford Expedition).
In 2013, Ford began use of the Platinum trim for Super Duty trucks, from the F-250 to the F-450 pickup trucks. Until 2016, the Platinum trim was an add-on package to a Super Duty that was ordered as a Lariat. 2017 saw the Platinum become a separate trim level.[citation needed]
F-150 Tremor (2014, 2021–present)
For the 2014 model year, Ford introduced the Tremor model of the F-150. The Tremor was released as a high-performance sport truck for street truck enthusiasts. The regular-cab Tremor is based on the style of the FX Appearance Package with the 3.5L EcoBoost engine and a 4.10:1 rear axle ratio. The interior uses a console-mounted shifter, custom bucket seats, and a flow-through center console not found in any other F-150. The Tremor is available in both 4×2 and 4×4. Both options feature an electronic-locking rear differential and customized suspension. There were 2,230 Tremors built.[citation needed]
Ford reintroduced the Tremor with the 14th generation F-150 in 2021 as a standalone model, slotted between the FX4 and Raptor, with an updated 3.5L EcoBoost, producing 400 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission.[35] The Tremor is available only as a SuperCrew model with a 5 1/2-foot bed with three specific trim levels (Base, Mid, and High) that offer updated luxury and convenience items. The updated Tremor features a revised shock and suspension system, unique external styling kit, custom seats, vented hood, powder-coated running boards, and various skid and bash plates. For the 2023 model year, Ford also offered the Tremor with the 5.0L Coyote engine, producing 400 horsepower and 410 lb-ft of torque. Both engines are paired with Ford’s 10-speed automatic transmission. The trim levels were reduced to Standard and High.[36]
Ford F-150 Lightning
Main article: Ford F-150 Lightning
Ford F-150 Lightning
At the 2019 Detroit Auto Show in January 2019, Ford announced the intention to produce a fully-electric light truck. Prototype test mules on an existing F-150 chassis were tested during 2019, including a record-setting demonstration test tow of 1,250,000 pounds (570,000 kg) on rails.[37]
Ford unveiled the truck, called the F-150 Lightning, on May 19, 2021. It intends to begin production in the spring of 2022.[38] Ford received 44,500 orders in the first two days after the announcement, and a further 25,000 in the next two days after that.[39] The low-end configuration has 426 horsepower (318 kW; 432 PS), 240-mile (390 km) range, and its smaller battery allows a 2,000 lb (907 kg) payload. The high-end configuration has 563 horsepower (420 kW; 571 PS), 300+ mile capacity, 0–60 mph (0–97 km/h) times in the mid-four-second range, and towing capacity of 10,000 lb (4,536 kg). Both models have 775 lb⋅ft (1,051 N⋅m) of torque, full-time four-wheel-drive, independent rear suspension, and currently come in a crew-cab configuration only, with 5.5′ bed.[40] The active suspension provides real-time load weighing function. Like Tesla, the Ford F-150 Lightning has over-the-air software updates, and a significant software driving aids which allow limited hands-off highway driving, but fall short of full self-driving.[40] The F-150 Lightning provides household-oriented V2G power, which can meet the electrical needs of a typical American home for three to ten days, and supply up to 9.6 kW of power through eleven 120V and 240V electrical outlets distributed around the truck.[41]
As of May 27, 2021, Ford has begun discussing the other vehicles beyond the F-Series, such as the Expedition and Navigator, which will be underpinned by their full-size EV truck chassis, as well as the smaller chassis which will be used for the Bronco, Explorer, and Aviator.[42]
Variants
Medium-duty trucks
Main article: Ford F-Series (medium duty truck)
Early 1970s Ford F-600/F-700
For most of its production, the F-Series was sold in a medium-duty conventional truck configuration alongside the traditional pickup trucks. Beginning in 1948 with the 11⁄2 ton F-5 (later F-500), the medium-duty trucks ranged up to the F-8 (F-800). Prior to the 1957 introduction of the Ford C-Series tilt-cab, the medium-duty range was offered as both a conventional and in a COE (cabover) configuration.
Following the introduction of the fifth-generation F-Series in 1967, the medium-duty trucks were designed separately from the pickup truck range. Although remaining part of the F-Series range, the medium-duty trucks shared only the cab and interior with the F-Series pickup trucks. Since 1967, the cab design has changed only in 1980 and in 2000. Redesigned on an all-new chassis, the 2016 F-Series medium-duty trucks retain an updated version of the 2000–2015 F-650/F-750 cab.
The medium-duty F-Series served as the donor platform for the B-Series cowled bus chassis produced from 1948 to 1998. Produced primarily for school bus bodies, the B-Series was discontinued as part of the sale of the Ford heavy-truck line to Freightliner in 1996.
Heavy-duty trucks
Above its medium-duty truck ranges, the F-Series also served as the basis of its commercial heavy truck lines for four generations. In 1951, Ford debuted the “Big Job” name for its F-7 and F-8 conventional trucks; the latter was optionally fitted with tandem rear axles.[43]
For 1958, the Big Job trucks were replaced by the Extra Heavy Duty line.[44] Coinciding with the debut of the Super Duty V8 engine line, trucks fitted with those engines were denoted as Super Duty trucks.[45]
In 1963, Ford introduced the N-Series short-hood conventional, replacing the F-900 Super Duty/Extra Heavy Duty. The first conventional-hood Ford with a diesel engine, the N-Series sourced its cab from the F-Series, pairing it with a shorter, wider hood and mounting it higher.[46]
Ford introduced the L-Series “Louisville” line of conventional trucks in 1970, ending all F-Series commonality with its heavy commercial trucks. The L-Series/Aeromax remained in production through 1998, coinciding with the sale of the Ford heavy-truck line to Freightliner (who sold the line as Sterling Trucks through 2009). Outside North America, Ford currently markets the Ford Cargo and Ford F-MAX COE trucks.
Vans
1956 Ford F-100 panel van
For the first three generations of the F-Series, Ford offered the model line in a panel van configuration, featuring an enclosed body for carrying cargo. In contrast to General Motors, Ford never offered a passenger “carryall” variant of this body (competing against the Chevrolet/GMC Suburban or the International Travelall). For 1961, the panel van was discontinued, following the introduction of the Ford Econoline van.
From 1968 to current production, the Econoline/Club Wagon/E-Series vans have a degree of shared powertrain commonality with F-Series trucks; during the 1970s, some body components were shared. While currently only produced as a cutaway chassis for commercial sale, the E-Series still shares its powertrain with current-generation Ford Super Duty trucks.
Export
This 1955 Australian F-100 Freighter had special high side panels, perhaps unique to Australia; note the right-hand drive.
As of 2018, outside of the United States, Canada, and Mexico, the Ford F-150 is officially sold in most Caribbean countries (except Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Cuba), Suriname, Ecuador, Peru, Chile, the Middle East (including Afghanistan), Iceland, China, Cambodia, the Philippines, Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, the French Overseas Collectivities of French Polynesia[47] and New Caledonia, Gabon, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, the Dutch territories of Aruba, Curaçao, Saint Maarten, and the British overseas territory of the Cayman Islands. The SVT Raptor is sold in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Middle East (including Afghanistan), China, Ecuador, Chile, and Peru. Both are available in LHD only.
In Mexico, the F-150 (XLT and higher trim levels) is called the “Ford Lobo” (Ford Wolf) while the F-150 SVT Raptor is called the “Ford Lobo Raptor.” The F-150 XL remains as F-150 XL.
There is a strong grey market presence of Ford F-Series trucks around the world, most notably in Europe, China, and South Korea, and usually driven by wealthy car enthusiasts, as the higher-end trim models are the most sought-after versions. In Australia, they are popular with those wanting to tow heavier trailers and caravans.
In Bolivia, Ford F-series truck are imported from the United States. F-150 single, super cab and crew cab are available with short and long bed. F-series Heavy Duty like F-250, F-350 are available in Super Cab and Crew cab with long bed, but the F-450 is available only in a chassis version. The F-150 Raptor is available, too.
In the United Kingdom, most imported Ford F-Series trucks are the F-150 model in LHD, and usually the higher-end four door versions.
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