click above image for more spy shots of the 2009 Ford F-150
The 2009 Ford F-150 has until now been kept a closely guarded secret, but the Blue Oval's best seller was recently caught by KGP photographers apparently on its way back to the safe confines of a trailer after a photoshoot. This first look at the undisguised F-150 shows a new front end that features a version of the brand's three-bar grille, though in this case it appears that the upper and lower bars are larger than the center one. The headlights also appear to be very similar to those used on the Edge CUV and Taurus X, dipping down and extending their height closer to where they meet the grille. KGP has also spotted new taillights, new rearview mirrors and subtle changes to the character lines on the sides of the truck.
The spy photographers were surprised to see how little the truck has visually changed, wondering whether it indicates a lack of imagination by Ford or simply a lack of funds. We're fairly certain that Ford doesn't mess around when it comes to its cash cow, so the money must be somewhere, but perhaps it's been invested in things we can't see like upgraded mechanicals and new drivetrains. For better or worse, the pickup wars are largely won on paper where stats can be compared objectively. We're betting the new F-150 will be a stout steed when it's unveiled, presumably at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show in January. Whether or not its new look is a big enough departure from the current truck, or if that even matters, will be decided by consumers when it goes on sale next year.
[Photos: KGP Photography]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 4)
Bob-omb @ Nov 20th 2007 11:25AM
I *hate* this new universal Ford design. The current F-150 looks much, much nicer.
Freestyle4x4f150 @ Nov 20th 2007 11:27AM
Sweet, now give me the new "Boss" motor to go with and i am sold!
TriShield @ Nov 20th 2007 11:29AM
It looks like a supersized Explorer Sport-Trac and just as bland as it has ever been. Not that the Silverado is any better but Toyota, Nissan and GMC's design embody the bold truck look whereas this is completely anonymous.
raz @ Nov 20th 2007 11:29AM
Hooray for clean air and saudi arabia. Prius is bad for America, we all should add to our lastnames al saud.
Freestyle4x4f150 @ Nov 20th 2007 11:32AM
Trisheil you are crazy, this looks nothing like a sporttrack and the Toyota?? please that thing is ugly
Max @ Nov 20th 2007 11:34AM
More "bold moves" from Ford. They throw a chrome grill on the thing and call it a redesign. Where is the small displacement diesel and a real V8 gas engine?
This thing is a joke.
Nellydesign @ Nov 20th 2007 11:49AM
Where exactly in this article or the attached pictures are you seeing something that says "This truck has no new engines."?
dan spalinger @ Nov 20th 2007 11:34AM
Looks more like a "reskin" rather than a "redesign"...the last redesign of the F-150 was well done going to a more angular heavy duty look...this goes in the other direction...another mistake by Ford...
Noah @ Nov 20th 2007 11:35AM
Yeah, the new front just looks busy now. Overall, it still looks good, and the interior is still beautiful, but the competition is now much hotter.
Honestly, the GMC Sierra looks like a natural evolution of the current Ford F150's design to me (exterior). That is the most gorgeous truck out there today.
And yes, the Toyota Tundra is ugly to me too. Great powertrain, I'm sure, but ugly.
ryan @ Nov 20th 2007 11:52AM
really? great powertrain on the tundra? besides the toyota badge, any reason why you say that?
http://www.autoblog.com/2007/10/22/toyota-tundra-hit-with-two-more-quality-issues/
Guenther @ Nov 20th 2007 3:03PM
Ryan- perhaps, because among current offerings, the Toyota 5.7/6spd. is the strongest 1/2ton power plant available. I know that the GM 6.2 in the Denali and 'Lanch has more hp, but the tow ratings are far lower.
Noah @ Nov 21st 2007 3:00AM
Yeah, I just meant that the Tundra has a great powertrain on paper, would be even better without the problems.
Seminole @ Nov 20th 2007 11:36AM
The current F-150 is still the best looking truck out there in my opinion. So it makes sense to just update the exterior.
That being said, the new Ford interiors, with the dash full of buttons, and the only screen being the multi-function one on the top of the dash piss me off beyond belief. They are hideous. They also make the dash look way to busy.
John P. @ Nov 20th 2007 11:36AM
I was so much hoping for something just a bit less slab-sided. While I still think the F150 is the best truck out there, sorry GM and Toyota, it's design is uninspiring. Still has the best interior though.
Overall, I'm disappointed a bit by what I see. It's not "muscular" enough.
Reuben @ Nov 20th 2007 11:36AM
Hey raz you could also say Hooray for the US losing its manufacturing economy, Hooray for the lack of new engineering jobs here, Hooray for sending all our money to Japan instead of buying American hybrids....
Reuben @ Nov 20th 2007 11:39AM
Fine looking truck though, hope that there are different grilles on different trims like last time.
k.w.a @ Nov 20th 2007 11:41AM
i actually like the front end...i bet thats what the front of the next explorer and expedition are gonna look like. the F-150 will still be competitive with this design, but it wont last forever... they better have a reDESIGN instead of just a facelift coming up
alex @ Nov 20th 2007 11:43AM
just watch ford give it the focus treatment... "uh oh people think its boring... quick throw some more chrome and fender vents on it!"
Doodoo Brown @ Nov 20th 2007 11:44AM
thank God they're returning to steering column-mounted shifter!!! I will buy one for sure!!
Jon @ Nov 20th 2007 4:31PM
FYI: the current generation also has a steering column-mounted shifter; the floor-mounted shifter is an option.