Spy Shots: 2009 Ford F-150
by John Neff on May 3rd 2007 at 6:03PM 
We're betting Ford wants to get the new 2009 F-150 to dealer lots as soon as possible. With increased competition from the new Chevy Silverado and the Toyota Tundra stealing market share, the F-150's title as the best-selling vehicle in the world, a mantle it has worn for decades, is under serious threat this year. The revised 2009 F-150, however, is meant to address this threat head on. While we don't know anything about what mechanical improvements are being planned, these fresh spy shots from The Car Connection show that a styling update will help Ford's best-seller remain a relevant player.Being that the F-150 is the most important product in Ford's portfolio, the level to which to the automaker has gone to obscure its new styling is extreme. Nevertheless, we can see that the F-150 will receive a version of the corporate chrome three-bar grille. It also appears that its headlights will remain in proportion to its body rather than taking on the "stacked" look of the new Super Duty's lamps. Unfortunately, foam was placed beneath the camoflouge cover in strategic places to hide the truck's new lines, so what we see is an F-150 that looks bundled up for winter in a heavy down coat. We concur with TCC that the 2008 Detroit Auto Show is the likely time at which the 2009 Ford F-150 will debut. After all, the best-selling vehicle in the world needs the world's biggest automotive stage to make an entrance. Click on the Read link to view all 10 spy shots that were snapped.
[Source: The Car Connection]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Gary 8:18PM (5/03/2007)
The Tundra "stealing" market share? Perhaps nibbling would be a better word.
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The Other Bob 6:19PM (5/03/2007)
I dont get one thing. Ford sold 55,000 F Series last month. GM sold 44,000 and 12,000 and Dodge sold 36,000. Why does Ford feel sooooo threatened by Toyota to routinely attack it? Tundra sales were 15,000 for april. Doesn't ford know that the more it puts out commercials attacking a distant 4th place the more credibility it gives the Tundra? I mean if the 2007 F150 is superior to the Tundra then let the people decide. The only reason a number one attacks a number 4 is if they feel inferior. Also, Tundra can only wants to sell 200,000 this year.
Ford as the king of trucks look at yourself and improve not dis others. Unless you are affraid.
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neal 6:38AM (11/29/2007)
well if your constantly attacked as being #1 which they are, you dont think they have a right to defend themselves
The Other Bob 3:13PM (11/29/2007)
If you are number 1 you just need to worry about yourself not others. You need to improve and not be complacent. You need to be on top of your game. Attacking others is not necessary.
Hamud 6:25PM (5/03/2007)
#1 Never underestimate the competition, specially if it comes from the East. Ford did it when they had the sales king, aka Taurus, and look what happened...
Thats why I think that every company has to constantly review their product, doesn't matters if they are the best at it. There's always room for improvements.
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bill 6:26PM (5/03/2007)
I agree with number 1. All Ford does is talk about others. Pathetic. They just whine. Invest in the 4.6 and 5.4 first rather than on commercials.
I am a chevy guy and I hope Silverado puts the F-series to pasture.
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Lukewardjr 5:31PM (7/20/2007)
Sounds like you are the whiner. Ford is beating those butt ugly SilverROTos with the older body. Read it an weap 2nd place.
bill 5:49PM (7/20/2007)
I think you are the whiner because you cant see your Fseries getting dominated.
David 6:29PM (5/03/2007)
The 6.8 V10 apparently fits in the engine bay of the F-series. Ford should drop it in there. As with all Fords, it lacks technology and makes 362hp from 6.8 liters and gets 11 mpg, but whatever its an improvement.
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bdkross 6:30PM (5/03/2007)
It's called "perception" my friend. Ford's commericals are for the consumer that doesn't find themselves immersed in auto news, sales figures, etc. If you didn't know any better one may think that the Tundra is flying off the shelf and is the best truck since, well, ever. To combat that Ford, Chevy and Nissan play to one up the competition and give the average Joe Customer the facts about their product. Ford has done that in telling the story of class leading towing capacity, frame strength, crash safety rating, payload, etc. Think like Average Joe Customer and it makes perfect sense.
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Simon 6:34PM (5/03/2007)
Dodge Ram for the young stud
Chevy Silverado for the middleaged man
GMC Sierra for the middleaged professional
Ford F-Series old mans truck
Toyota Tundra for the educated and demanding person
No wonder for calendar year 2007 the only truck of the top four in decline is the F-series. All others are up YTD. When Ford puts out a press release they talk about high gass prices, housing slump, and the economy. I wonder why the other three sell?
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Ford Freak 9:23PM (12/29/2008)
Whoa there bub. your way wrong
Ford for The young Stud.
Ford for the middle aged man.
Ford for the middle aged professional.
Ford for the old Guy.
Ford for the educated and demanding person.
Ford for one and ford for all...
Mike 6:38PM (5/03/2007)
and toyota hasn't put out commercials saying this is our hitch, this is the competition or this is our brakes, this is the competition.
but it's toyota so you give them a pass? Hypocrites.
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Albert 6:38PM (5/03/2007)
#5 You are wrong. If you want to know the truth you dont learn it from one company towards the other. trust me, I dont sit and let Ford tell me how the frame of the Tundra is or how Ram cant tow worth a damn, or how Chevy is less dependable.
I either know the truth my self to begin with or i go to reliable sources and read it. Such as truck magazines, websites and so on. Then I take the comments from all of them and I average it.
And you know what? For ever and ever and ever the truth is Chevy can out tow a Ford no matter what Ford says.
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Luke 5:17PM (8/09/2007)
Chevy out-tows Ford? That's a LAUGH! I had a 2003 GMC with the small v8, 1/2-ton shortwide. We had a 19 & 1/2 foot Bayliner that had an inboard/outboard motor. It was light enough and easy enough to move that one could pick up the hitch and walk it around a fairly level surface. Not that GMC. You put that sucker (boat) on that POS (GMC) and it looked like it was seriously overloaded. Then pulling...that's another story...I had to pull that boat in THIRD GEAR on LEVEL surfaces! Not only that, my GMC got NINE MPG. NINE. That's REDICULOUS! I was in Oklahoma and it's flat out there! NINE! I had an '02 Ranger. A RANGER. 4.0 v6 with a 5-spd manual tranny. Regular cab flareside. THAT truck would pull it in OVERDIRVE--FIFTH GEAR--and not have any trouble. It got 12 MPG when pulling that boat. GMC/Chevy out-tow Ford? I think not. I finally got rid of that POS GMC and got an '04 F-150. I had a 6'x12' U-Haul trailer fully loaded and a Honda Rancher in the bed (800 lbs of weight) and moved from Oklahoma to Utah. It pulled in fourth gear all the way, averaging 9-13 MPG. Coming up 6-8% grades, it would grab third and chug up with plenty of passing throttle to spare. With all that weight, one might think it would look overloaded, but nope. Looked good and level, like a real truck with a good set of leaf springs will do.
Need more proof about Ford's towing? Look no further than the new Super Dutys. It's turbo has a friggin turbo and it will out-tow anything Chevy has. Good on Ford, looks like the new F-150 will be sa-weet and I'll be in to get one!!!
Albert 5:42PM (8/09/2007)
Luke why dont you go read this article then we will talk. This guy also knows a thing or two about towing.
http://ezinearticles.com/?Lets-Talk-Half-Ton-Trucks&id=599402
Talis 6:39PM (5/03/2007)
Yes, I understand what you are saying Bob. The only thing I can come up with in response is if you take out customer loyalty, and the commercial sales, then how many trucks can Ford really sell to new fresh buyers? Is the truck losing market share?
The Tundra, for all it's worth is a capable Truck and is winning the respect of at lease a few editors. I think Ford might be a little scared that sales will drop quicker than President Bush's approval ratings and is taking sure steps to stop that from happening.
As for the up date, I am glad to see that Ford is not letting the new generation of F-150's get stale like the last generations. I can only hope Dodge and Chevy update their trucks as much as Ford is.
Seeing as the last update for Ford was in 2004, and if this truck goes on sale in 2009 that is a quick restyle for any truck. Fastest turn around I've seen anyway. After all the last F-150 was on the market for about seven years.
As far as the drive train goes, I would suspect some usage of flexfuel, and maybe even a hybrid model. Also because the Toyota has a much better transmission and offers no less than two more gears than Ford I would hope that a six-speed is in development at the least. Like I said, now Dodge (mostly) as well as Chevy/GMC need to take suit and pick up the pace.
I say koodoos to Ford for keeping things fresh and interesting.
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Juan 6:40PM (5/03/2007)
I hope no photographers were harmed in the taking of this picture. Crazy engineers. Don't trust 'em.
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Mr. Smith 6:44PM (5/03/2007)
#6: Not a single properly educated person will ever buy a truck, let it be a Toyota or a Ford. Ever.
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Simon 6:44PM (5/03/2007)
#7 As it is said Toyota calls it competition. They dont call it this is our breaks this is F-150 Supercab Harley Davidson package XLT whatever. They just says "competion". This is the right way. When you name another company its petty. Specially when no third party like car magazines back it up. Even the redneck magazines.
I cant recall any manufacturer ever airing a commercial saying "hey look this car crashed like this and got this grade. Did you know? Did you know? Here watch the video America. It crashed like this"
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