Seventh Generation: 1980–1986 Focusing on economy and efficiency, Ford reengineered the F-Series for 1980 by…
Ford F-Series History Part3
F-Series Super Duty
Ford also redesigned the F-Series Super Duty for 2017 — the first time the Super Duty had been significantly redesigned since it joined the lineup in 1999. The Super Duty received a new exterior look, a completely updated interior and a number of new features designed around comfort, cargo hauling and towing just about any size trailer. But many of the updates are hidden from view, such as the high-strength aluminum alloy body and box, powerful engine lineup and high-strength steel frame. The new frame is 24 times stiffer than the previous version, and liberal use of aluminum has lowered the truck’s overall weight, giving the Super Duty increased hauling and towing capabilities.
Thirteenth Generation: 2015–2020
For the 2018 model year, Ford bolstered its law enforcement offerings with the F-150 Police Responder, which appeals to departments needing an all-terrain enforcement vehicle with both on-road and off-road capability. Based on the F-150 FX4 off-road package, the F-150 Police Responder is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine producing 375 horsepower and 470 lb-ft of torque, combined with Ford’s SelectShift 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. Additional features include upgraded brakes, a larger front stabilizer bar, all-terrain tires and 18-inch alloy wheels. The F-150 Police Responder features the SuperCrew body for maximum interior room ; other features include a column shifter, front center-seat delete, heavy-duty cloth front seats, vinyl rear seating and heavy-duty vinyl floor covering.
For 2019 the F-150 Raptor improved off-road performance with Smarter Shocks, new Trail Control and available Recaro sport seats. The electronically controlled FOX 3.0 Internal Bypass shocks with Live Valve technology adjust to the terrain in real time to maximize handling, comfort, and help prevent bottoming. The shocks improve high-speed off-road capability but also deliver smooth on-road performance. The new Trail Control system can be activated at speeds from 1 mph up to 20 mph to improve low-speed off-road performance and help drivers navigate rugged terrain. Trail Control automatically adjusts power and braking to each individual wheel to allow the driver to focus on steering. All-new Recaro sport seats provide additional support with aggressive bolsters for the seatbacks and lower cushions, as well as blue Alcantara inserts and accent stitching inspired by the Light Speed-colored interior of the Ford GT.
Also new for 2019, the F-150 Limited received the High-Output 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 producing 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque, making it the most powerful light-duty pickup on the road. A new dual exhaust system features exhaust tips integrated into the rear bumper cutouts. Inside, the F-150 Limited features a leather-topped instrument panel and door panels, ash swirl wood trim, aluminum wrapped bezels and a Miko suede headliner. Camel Back two-tone leather is new, and multicontour front seats feature Active Motion lumbar support and massage. Also offered are heated and ventilated captain’s chairs, a heated steering wheel, a standard 360-degree camera system, optional Pro Trailer Backup Assist and 4G LTE Wi-Fi access.
For 2020 Ford added a new off-road Tremor package for F-250 Super Duty and F-350 Super Duty on XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels, combined with either the 7.3-liter V8 or 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel. Trucks equipped with the Tremor package have a 2.0-inch front-end lift, a shorter air dam, progressive-rate springs, a retuned rear stabilizer bar, custom 1.7-inch piston twin-tube dampers and 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac off-road tires mounted on unique 18-inch matte-finish black wheels. The 2020 Tremor also features a locking rear differential, a Dana limited-slip front differential, off-road running boards and skidplates. With these additions, the Super Duty Tremor has 10.8-inches of ground clearance.
F-Series Super Duty
For 2020 the Super Duty lineup — F-250, F-350 and F-450 — received fresh styling, more capability, new features and an all-new off-road Tremor package. The 2020 Super Duty has a new look front and back: more powerful LED headlights, a new grille, updated bumpers, a new air dam, and a new tailgate look with updated taillights. Ford also upgraded the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbodiesel V8 that produces 475 horsepower and a class-leading 1,050 lb-ft of torque at a mere 1600 rpm. With the right configuration, the Super Duty F-450 can tow up to 37,000 pounds — almost five times its own weight — and is also best in class for heavy-duty trucks. A diesel-powered F-350 with dual rear wheels can haul up to 7,850 pounds — also the top of the heavy-duty class. Ford also offered the Super Duty with an all-new 7.3-liter gasoline V8 engine with 430 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque; it can tow as much as 21,200 pounds.
Fourteenth Generation: 2021
The all-new 2021 Ford F-150 arrived fall 2020 with bold new styling, an updated interior, a new hybrid powertrain and a range of innovative and versatile new features. Styling changes include an updated LED headlight design and new signature LED running lights, a new power dome hood and wraparound bumpers. More than these obvious changes, Ford says every exterior panel has been redesigned for the new model year. Under that fresh exterior still lives the fully boxed high-strength steel frame that continues to support the industry-first high-strength aluminum alloy body.
F-150 PowerBoost Hybrid
The new powertrain option for the 2021 Ford F-150 is a 3.5-liter PowerBoost Full Hybrid V6 — the first hybrid for the F-150. Teaming the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 with a 35-kw electric motor integrated into the 10-speed transmission will deliver what Ford expects to be the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. The liquid-cooled lithium-ion batteries get stored beneath the truck, so no compromises need to be made to cargo or passenger compartments. Complete specs will be released closer to the on-sale date; however, Ford is saying that this hybrid powertrain will deliver up to 700 miles of range on a single tank of fuel; the hybrid also has a tow rating of at least 12,000 pounds.
Innovative Features
Ford has gone to great lengths to make the new F-150 more useful to its owners. A new Interior Work Surface lets the driver fold the gearshift into the center console with the push of a button, and then unfold a hard surface that covers the center console, making it an ideal space for a laptop or even a meal. After that meal, the available Max Recline Seats can recline to almost 180 degrees, creating a comfortable way to catch a few moments of shuteye. The 2021 F-150 has a long list of other great features, ranging from an onboard generator to a tailgate workbench to the latest in driver assist features.
2021 Ford F-150 Tremor
The 2021 F-150 Tremor offers more off-road capability than the F-150 FX4 while still retaining excellent payload capacity and towing ability. The truck adds suspension upgrades and new off-road technology — including available enhanced Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive and Trail Turn Assist. The new F-150 Tremor will be easily identified by a more aggressive front end, a unique hood, an F-150 Raptor-style front bash plate, a unique grille with a blacked-out Ford oval, and Raptor-inspired off-road fixed running boards. Active Orange highlights include grille accents, front tow hooks, side vent accents and Tremor badging. Inside, Tremor features Active Orange accents, unique seat trim, TREMOR embroidered in the seatbacks, Active Orange accent stitching and special materials and finishes.
2021 Ford F-150 Tremor
Ford offers the 2021 F-150 Tremor in 4-door SuperCrew configuration with a 5.5-foot box, and the truck is powered by a 3.5-liter EcoBoost turbocharged V6 engine combined with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Standard 4-wheel drive includes locking front and rear differentials with late availability of an optional Torsen limited-slip front differential. The High equipment group adds a torque-on-demand transfer case similar to the high-performance transfer case in F-150 Raptor, combining AWD and 4WD capabilities.
Raptor Returns
In February 2021 Ford provided a first look at the 2021 F-150 Raptor with a new wide blacked-out grille, amber LED marker lights across the top of the grille, LED running lights surrounding the headlights, and a new power dome hood with heat extractor and functional vents on top of the front fenders. At the rear, Raptor has large blacked-out FORD lettering on the tailgate, blacked-out taillights and large high-mounted dual exhaust outlets. A wider front skidplate provides increased protection while giving the new Raptor a more aggressive stance. The new Raptor is about six inches wider than the standard F-150.
2022 F-150 Raptor
The 2021 F-150 Raptor is powered by a next-generation 3.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost high-output V6 engine teamed with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Horsepower and torque figures have not been released; the previous generation produced 450 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Raptor gets a new five-link rear suspension with extra-long trailing arms and 24-inch coil springs. Next-generation Fox Live Valve shocks are the largest that Raptor has ever had, designed to react faster to changes in terrain. Standard tires are a 35-inch BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2, as well as an optional 37-inch T/A K02. First deliveries are expected this summer. For those seeking even more performance, a Raptor R should arrive in 2022.
2022 F-150 Lightning
Ford takes electrification to another level with the introduction of the 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning — the first fully electric F-150. The 2022 F-150 Lightning will be powered by dual three-phase fixed magnet AC electric motors — one at each axle — so all Lightnings will be all-wheel drive. Total output for the extended-range Lightning is estimated at 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque — the most torque ever found in a production F-150. The Lightning will also handle up to 2,000 pounds of cargo or tow up to 10,000 pounds. Two battery options will be available — the extended-range battery will deliver an estimated range of 300 miles. The F-150 Lightning can be an external source of power at a jobsite, campsite or other outdoor function; it can also act as a power backup for a house in the event of a power outage. Deliveries of the new truck are expected to begin in spring of 2022.
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