Autoblog

Shelby unveils F-150 Super Snake Concept, turbocharged Mustang package

Drew Phillips — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance, Truck, Ford

Shelby F150 Super Snake Concept - Click above for high-res image gallery

We figured that anything and everything automotive in Las Vegas would be over at the convention center for SEMA all week, but apparently, we were wrong. Amidst the introductions of custom cars and aftermarket parts, Shelby Automobiles introduced two new vehicles at its Las Vegas facility.

The first is the F150 Super Snake Concept. Built as a pickup version of the potent GT500 Super Snake, the truck version has similar features including a Whipple supercharger system, Borla exhaust system, 22-inch wheels and tires, six-piston brakes, custom Shelby bodywork, and Shelby embroidery inside. Even though it is labeled as a concept, Shelby is offering the package to F150 owners who can get the parts installed only at Shelby's headquarters.

The second car is a (you guessed it) Mustang that features Shelby's new turbo package that can be installed post-title on any 2005-2009 GT at any of the company's mod shops around the country. Using a Turbonetics single-turbo system, Shelby has increased the output of the Mustang's 4.6-liter V8 to by nearly double to 550 horsepower. A variety of other components come with the package as well including a short-throw shifter, Borla exhaust, Shelby grille, 18-inch wheels and more. Other items like Baer six-piston brakes, Eibach suspension system, eight-point roll cage, and the Shelby GT-H hood are optional.

Learn more about each of the cars after the jump.

Gallery: Shelby F150 Super Snake Concept

Gallery: Shelby Turbocharged Mustang

[Source: Shelby Automobiles]

Continue reading Shelby unveils F-150 Super Snake Concept, turbocharged Mustang package

Shelby unveils F-150 Super Snake Concept, turbocharged Mustang package originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 05 Nov 2009 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 packs 411 HP

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST

Filed under: SEMA Show, Performance, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor in Blue Flame - Click above for high-res image gallery

When Ford first revealed the new F-150 SVT Raptor a year ago, the initial powerplant was the same 5.4-liter V8 found in more pedestrian F-series trucks. At the launch, however, Ford officials promised that an all-new 6.2-liter V8 would become available right about ... now!. Well a month from now. The order books for the Raptor 6.2 officially open on December 1. Ford has already taken 3,000 orders for the 5.4-liter Raptor and 700 have gone to customers.

Last year, Ford told us the 6.2 would crank out at least 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of twist. Now that the engine has been certified and the final numbers are in, the targets have been exceeded. The 6.2-liter for the Raptor has been officially rated at 411 hp at 5,500 rpm and 434 pound-feet at 4,500 rpm.

According to F-150 Marketing Manager Mark Grueber, the Raptor 6.2 will get to 60 mph 1.5 seconds faster than the 5.4 while matching its fuel economy (as though anyone buying a Raptor will car about MPGs). That should put the 6.2 somewhere in the upper six- to low seven-range for a 0-60 mph run (Mike Levine at PickupTrucks.com clocked a Raptor at 8.8 seconds with a brake torque). But take heed, with more power comes a higher MSRP: the new engine will cost $3,000 more than the carryover 5.4, starting at $41,995 delivered.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 packs 411 HP

SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 packs 411 HP originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor XT, $100K off-road race truck

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, SEMA Show, Truck, Ford

2010 Ford F150 Raptor R - Click above for high-res image gallery

Does the idea of a $100,000 pickup truck give you heart palpitations? If so, you might want to skip over the rest of this text. For the past year Ford has been using off-road races like the Baja 500 and 1000 as real world test tracks to prove out the performance and durability of the new F-150 SVT Raptor pickup. The Raptor R that Ford has been racing is actually pretty close to the production truck, although it does have more power and suspension travel.

Now the Ford Racing crew is following in the footsteps of the various FR500 Mustangs of the last five years and offering a factory-built race truck. Called the Raptor XT, it features the same 500-hp 6.2-liter V8 found in the latest edition of the Raptor R. The Raptor XT also gets all the interior amenities of a standard road going Raptor while adding the chrome-moly roll cage and tubular bumpers of the R. The XT even gets the 15-inch front and 18-inch rear wheel travel of the race truck.

Only 50 units of the Raptor XT will be built for the 2011 model year and only the most extreme off-roaders will be willing to pay the $99,950 price tag. Like the FR500 race Mustangs, the Raptor XT is off-road only, but in this case it's really off the road.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor R

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor XT, $100K off-road race truck

SEMA 2009: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor XT, $100K off-road race truck originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 00:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Popular Mechanics calls out automotive excellence

Sam Abuelsamid — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:31:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Technology

As we head into the final weeks of yet another year, that means it's time for everyone to pick out their favorites. In this business that means its time to select cars, trucks and SUVs of the year. Over at Popular Mechanics, the editors have put together a list of vehicles that they feel exemplify excellence based on a number of characteristics. For example, the list opens up with what they consider the most off-road capable - a likely easy choice this year with the launch of the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

The technical innovation prize went to the new Remote Touch System that appeared in the Lexus HS 250h and RX this year. This joystick control provides haptic feedback when the cursor hits a selection button on the screen. As a result it's not as fiddly as a conventional joystick might be, allowing the driver to keep more attention on the road. Check out the full list of automotive excellence at Popular Mechanics's web site.

[Source: Popular Mechanics]

Popular Mechanics calls out automotive excellence originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 30 Oct 2009 09:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln

John Neff — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Coupe, Minivan/Van, Performance, SUV, Truck, Work, Crossover, Ford, Lincoln, Specialty

2009 Ford SEMA vehicles - Click above for image gallery

In addition to the slew of Mustangs that will be at the 2009 SEMA Show in Las Vegas next week, Ford has well over a dozen more vehicles represented including perennial favorites like the Focus, Fusion, Flex and F-150, as well as newcomers like the Taurus SHO, Transit Connect and MKS.

Our personal faves include the Taurus "Best of SHO" by MRT-Direct that improves on the stock SHO with a subtle ground effects kit and vented hood, as well as adds performance improvements through tweaks of EcoBoost engine's turbocharging system and exhaust. Another cool newbie is the Transit Connect by Azentek and Grant Products that features a road-hugging body kit on the outside and a pull-out kitchen and upper bunk bed on the inside.

Our two favorites F-150s that will be on display at SEMA are the "Freedom Truck" that pays tribute to all those who have served in the U.S. armed forces with a patriotic paint job and the Super Duty DeWALT Contractor "Concept", the latter of which looks like a contractor's dream come true.

You can check out all the remaining SEMA vehicles from FoMoCo in the gallery below, complete with descriptions attached for each model.

Gallery: Ford and Lincoln at SEMA 2009

[Source: Ford]

SEMA Preview: The rest of the best from Ford and Lincoln originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 19:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gets suspension explained by IL

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford, Specialty, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor under the skin - Click above for high-res image gallery

In stock form, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is one of the most impressive bits of machinery available from any automaker extant. We've managed to snag some seat time in one a couple of times now, and each time we've walked away mightily impressed. But just what is it that makes the off-road-ready supertruck so good? It's not the powertrain, it's the suspension.

While we've offered a basic walkaround of what makes the Raptor tick, the chaps at Inside Line took it upon themselves to delve a bit deeper into the mystery of the truck's cushy pogo sticks. Chief among the updates that turn an ordinary mild-mannered F-150 into a fire-breathing desert runner are the beautiful cast aluminum lower control arms and the special inverted Fox Racing Shocks with remote reservoirs.

Also worth noting are the 13.8-inch ventilated brake rotors with dual-piston sliding calipers and the beefy 17-inch wheels wrapped in LT315/70R17 All-Terrain tires from BFGoodrich. Add it all up and you've got yourself $38,995 worth of eminently capable pickup goodness - and a hearty "attaboy" for Ford's SVT engineers.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Inside Line]

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor gets suspension explained by IL originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Oct 2009 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford confirms (again) EcoBoost engine for F-150 lineup

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford

2009 Ford F-150 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The biggest bit of truck news from Ford today may have been the introduction of the latest Super Duty models, but the automaker didn't leave its smaller full-size pickup out of the festivities entirely. Buried down at the bottom of the press release (after the break) is a paragraph on the long-expected EcoBoost engine for the F-150.

No real details are given on the new turbocharged, direct injection mill, but we're expecting to see a 3.5-liter V6 engine similar to the one used in Ford's front-wheel drive models, but modified to accommodate a rear-wheel drive layout. Ford says its EcoBoost technology has been optimized for truck applications, meaning there should be tons of torque with a peak that starts at the lower end of the rpm scale and continues on through the midrange.

Ford also announced that its EcoBoost engine will boast a 20-percent improvement in fuel economy with a corresponding reduction in carbon emissions as compared to a similarly powerful naturally aspirated engine.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

Continue reading Ford confirms (again) EcoBoost engine for F-150 lineup

Ford confirms (again) EcoBoost engine for F-150 lineup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Super Duty debuts at Texas State Fair

John Neff — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel

2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

The circle is now complete. Following a couple model years after the redesigned F-150, Ford has taken the wraps off the new 2011 Super Duty model at the Texas State Fair today. The new Super Duty debuts with a new look, new diesel engine called "Scorpion" 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8, and an all-new 6.2-liter gas-powered V8 (NOTE: This should be the same 6.2-liter V8 destined for duty in the F-150 SVT Raptor). Ford has still not released power figures for either engine, but the Power Stroke diesel does have the ability to run on B20 biodiesel.

Also new is a 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission that features manual SelectShift control and a Tow Haul option with integrated exhaust braking. The new transmission also offers an optional Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) feature that was first developed for agricultural machines. Live Drive PTO allows the engine to power auxiliary equipment like snow plows, cement mixers and tow truck lifts directly through the transmission.

Of course, the new Super Duty wouldn't be a Ford truck if it didn't offer best-in-class towing and hauling capabilities, and since the previous Super Duty already held that crown, the new one puts Ford even further ahead of other heavy duty trucks. Again, no hard numbers were given, but expect enough irresistible force to dislodge any immovable object.

The new Super Duty is also packed with all of Ford's latest technologies like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Control and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, among others. Ford Works Solutions is also available, and the interior features a new 4.2-inch auxiliary LCD screen between the gauges for keeping track of what the truck's technologies are doing.

The new exterior design of the 2011 Super Duty also takes the biggest of Ford trucks in a new direction with the boldest front end yet that appears much more integrated with the cab and bed than previous models. Vertically stacked headlights frame a new grille that sports two big horizontal bars and a Ford logo large enough to read from a mile away. Check out the full gallery of official high-res images from Ford below and the press release with even more details after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Super Duty

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Super Duty debuts at Texas State Fair

2011 Ford Super Duty debuts at Texas State Fair originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Truck, Plants/Manufacturing, Ford

Two of Ford's vehicles are moving well enough that the automaker is adding production to its plants in Missouri and Michigan. Ford says its F-150 and Ford Escape are looking to earn their highest sales of the year in August, with the F-Series truck line looking good for its first year-on-year sales jump since October 2006 and the Escape knocking on the door of its own sales record. Of course, August sales number are expected to be wildly inflated by the success of the government's Cash for Clunkers program, so Ford is also taking into account the sales rates of these two vehicles before August and only boosting production by a smidge in response.

Thus, 2,800 workers at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant will go back to full-time work at the end of September, which will raise production of F-150s by 10,000 units through the end of the year. A third shift added to the Kansas City plant in October will raise production of Ford Escapes and Mercury Mariners by 2,400 through year-end. If production details are your cup of tea, you can read all of Ford's good news in the press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford | Image: Scott Olson/Getty]

Continue reading Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape

Ford boosts production (slightly) of F-150, Escape originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 27 Aug 2009 17:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a diamond on the rough

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford, First Drive, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

Although some of us have an unabashed love for all-things off-road, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor didn't register a huge blip on our collective radar. We figured it would be a performance kit that was much more kit than performance, or an off-road wunderkind that makes life a Hobbesian kind of brutish when used anywhere but the moon. We spent two days in Southern California, one of which in the Raptor's Anza Borrego Desert birthplace, to discover one thing: We were wrong. The Raptor is all that. And a bag of chips. And dessert.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

All photos copyright Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a diamond on the rough

First Drive: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is a diamond on the rough originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Escape puts Ford back atop Cash For Clunkers sales pileup

Chris Shunk — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Government/Legal, Chevrolet, Ford

2009 Ford Escape Hybrid - Click above for a high-res image gallery

In America, we like our sports and love to keep score. Even when it comes to car-buying subsidies, we want to know which model is selling best. The government says the Ford Focus is the top seller under Cash for Clunkers, but Edmunds has a different winner: the Ford Escape. The discrepancy stems from the government's old-school way of counting model sales. The feds consider each model variant a separate vehicle, while Edmunds counts vehicle sales as a whole. In the case of the Escape, the Environmental Protection Agency counts the crossover as six separate models; including FWD, AWD and Hybrid versions.

While the government's list of C4C top sellers contains mainly small cars, the Edmunds list tells a different story. Since the feds count each truck configuration (GM and Ford trucks each have five) as a different model, no pickups made the cut. That was a surprise to many, considering the fact that 83% of the vehicles turned in were trucks, and large pickups have lower fuel economy requirements to work under C4C. On the Edmunds list, the Ford F-150 comes in at number five, while the Silverado sits at seven.

There's been plenty of healthy discussion regarding C4C, and it appears even counting methods are up for debate. With a fresh $2 billion getting dumped into the program's coffers, it looks like we'll be able to keep talking straight through Labor Day. Hit the jump to look over Edmunds' Top Clunker Buys, and chime in with your comments after the fold.

[Source: CNN Money]

Continue reading REPORT: Escape puts Ford back atop Cash For Clunkers sales pileup

REPORT: Escape puts Ford back atop Cash For Clunkers sales pileup originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Toyota Camry tops this year's Cars.com American-Made Index

John Neff — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:32:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Plants/Manufacturing, Toyota

Cars.com has once again published its annual American-Made Index that rates vehicles built within the United States based on their sales and percentage of domestic parts content. This year's list has a number of movers and shakers based mainly on the fact that a troubled economy has torpedoed sales of some models and others are now ineligible because their parent brands are being canceled.

The Ford F-150 has lost its top ranking in the American-Made Index for the first time since Cars.com began producing the list back in 2006. The new No. 1 is - gasp - the Toyota Camry. Assembled in Georgetown, KY and Lafayette, IN, the Camry's upswing in domestic parts content helped it barely edge out the F-150, which has seen both its sales and domestic parts content fall year-over-year. Toyota, in fact, had four models make the American-Made Index this year including the Sienna, Tundra and first-timer Venza.

General Motors placed the Chevrolet Malibu, Silverado and GMC Sierra, while Ford had the aforementioned F-150, and list newcomer Ford Taurus, which enjoys the highest domestic parts content of 90 percent. No Chrysler vehicles made the top ten, although one Honda did: the Lincoln, AL Odyssey has an 80 percent domestic parts content rating and thus sewed up the #10 spot. You can view the full list after the jump and visit Cars.com to read more about how the index was produced.

[Source: Cars.com]

Continue reading Toyota Camry tops this year's Cars.com American-Made Index

Toyota Camry tops this year's Cars.com American-Made Index originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jun 2009 12:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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The More, the Merrier: Ford considering crew cab Raptor?

Noah Joseph — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

Packing more badass than a gang of werewolf bikers on mescaline, the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor does not require you to be a truck guy to appreciate its purpose. The bold styling, mile-high suspension and big V8 engine under the hood ensure the Raptor stands apart from the rest of the pick-up crowd. But now our man Mike Levine over at PickupTrucks.com reports that Ford could be considering extending the Raptor's passenger compartment to give it a full four-door crew cab.

The news comes right from the mouth of F-150 marketing manager Mark Grueber, who revealed to Levine that FoMoCo has already received more than 1,000 orders for the new Raptor, but that they've come accompanied by requests from customers for a full crew-cab with four full-sized doors. The increased wheelbase would undoubtedly compromise the vehicle's off-road performance, but is Ford about to tell that to customers waiving fistfuls of cash? Guess we'll have to wait and find out.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

The More, the Merrier: Ford considering crew cab Raptor? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Jun 2009 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: Ford releases trailer for "Raptor: Born in Baja" feature documentary

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:32:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Truck, Videos, Ford, Off-Road

Raptor: Born in Baja documentary -- Click above after the jump

The Ford F-150 SVT Raptor has just finished its close-up, and pretty soon you'll be able to see it on both the big screen in "Raptor - Born in Baja". The Blue Oval took its factory-built off-road runner to the Baja 1000 last year and documented the entire build and the race. The documentary is like Truth in 24, but with trucks and lots of dirt, and the Raptor only finished third in its Class 8 division (full-sized 2-wheel-drive), but that's not bad for a team that had only three months to complete the build.

The movie will premiere in Hollywood on June 23 at the Egyptian Theater, and then air on Speed TV a few weeks later. For now, you can check out the trailer after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading VIDEO: Ford releases trailer for "Raptor: Born in Baja" feature documentary

VIDEO: Ford releases trailer for "Raptor: Born in Baja" feature documentary originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 19 Jun 2009 15:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford drops 'SFE' label from fuel-efficient trucks

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Green, Ford

2009 Ford F-150 SFE - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in the summer of 2008, fuel prices hit their highest peak in U.S. history and automakers responded with a raft of new cars and trucks designed to eke out as many miles from a single gallon of fuel as possible. Not surprisingly, Ford followed this tack when it introduced its latest F-150 pickup truck for the '09 model year, which launched with an optional SFE (Superior Fuel Economy, if you must know) edition that featured a number of fuel-saving tweaks and the Blue Oval's long-running three-valve 4.6-liter V8 engine.

After just one year on the market, PickupTrucks.com reports that Ford will drop the SFE model for 2010. The good news for those interested in fuel efficient full-size trucks is that Ford will continue to offer a two-wheel-drive, four-door version of its popular pickup with an SFE-matching 15/21 mpg rating, so it would seem the SFE is disappearing in name only. As far as we're aware, General Motors will continue to offer a competing model that matches the ex-SFE's 15/21 mileage rating and carries an XFE badge, though Ford's truck can tow 500 lbs. more, doesn't require a tonneau cover, and the chin spoiler can remain on when going off road.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150 SFE

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Ford drops 'SFE' label from fuel-efficient trucks originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 16 Jun 2009 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor starts at $38,995

John Neff — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:08:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mike Levine of PickupTrucks.com is currently embedded in an F-150 SVT Raptor R with the Ford Racing Team at the "Terrible 250" in Primm, Nevada. Being that close to the action, Levine has managed to wrest some hard info about the upcoming production SVT Raptor from Ford. The off road-ready half-ton will start at just $38,995, which may sound like a lot until you consider this desert flier will be only about $3,000 more than a well-equipped F-150 FX4. The SVT Raptor will launch with Ford's 5.4-liter V8, but soon after will be joined by the company's new 6.2-liter V8, as well. The truck certainly isn't for everyone with its huge tires, high suspension and compensating-for-something "FORD" grille, but those who do go for that kind of thing will at least not get gouged at the checkout counter.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor starts at $38,995 originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Apr 2009 16:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VIDEO: 2009 Ford F-150 versus 2009 Dodge Ram

Chris Shunk — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Truck, Videos, Dodge, Ford

Click above to watch video after the jump

The pickup market may be contracting, but the trucks themselves are better than ever. Two substantially new full-size trucks have gone on sale recently, the 2009 Ford F-150 and 2009 Dodge Ram, and we've already had the chance to park both in the Autoblog Garage for a week. The F-150 tows more, carries a higher payload and is the all-time leader in sales. The Dodge Ram is arguably the better looking truck, sports a vastly improved interior and its 390-hp HEMI V8 engine is a true powerhouse. Follow the jump to view our video comparison of these two new pickup trucks. They're both deserving of high praise, but only one has what it takes to be the king of the Autoblog Garage.

Related:

Continue reading VIDEO: 2009 Ford F-150 versus 2009 Dodge Ram

VIDEO: 2009 Ford F-150 versus 2009 Dodge Ram originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Chicago 2009: (You Can Still) Rock in America - Ford unveils Harley-Davidson F-150

Chris Paukert — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford F-150 Harley Davidson Edition

Flush from the news that its F-150 pickup performed markedly better than many of its primary competitors in a new series of IIHS side-impact crash tests, Ford has rolled out its latest larger-than-life Harley-Davidson model.

Outside of the appearance items, the HD is essentially a Platinum Edition F-Series in motorcycle leathers, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Available in either Lava (dark maroon) or Tuxedo Black, the Harley looks very aggressive in the metal - and the effect is not just a function of scale. The bold six-bar grille and 22-inch Harley-branded polished/painted alloys clearly set it apart as a distinct model from other F-Series pickups, and Ford has also slathered the pickup in oversized emblems and strange red "swoosh" marks on the rocker panels. While we could do without the latter flourishes, the truck still strikes us as particularly good-looking in Lava.

Ford's 14th Harley-branded product also has a seriously dolled-up interior that is likewise not for introverts. The prevailing theme behind the cabin's styling is that of a Harley biker jacket, and the materials, color choices, and the gigantic badges on the seats and center console (including a serialized plate) are unsubtle but appropriate.

Clearly not a truck for wallflowers, Ford continues to carve out niche after niche for its new 2010 F-150. Click on the gallery below for in-person shots of the new HD F-150, and then click here for more details.

Gallery: Chicago 2009: 2010 Ford Harley Davidson F-150

Chicago 2009: (You Can Still) Rock in America - Ford unveils Harley-Davidson F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4

Chris Shunk — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Truck, Ford, Reviews, Off-Road

2009 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4 - Click above for high-res image gallery

The Blue Oval delayed the introduction of its all-important 2009 Ford F-150 by two months late last summer. The company claimed it could save some cash by postponing the pickup's launch, but in the interim, the cost to fill up the F-150's biggie-sized tank was slashed in half. The delay couldn't have been better timed. Marketing North America's best-selling vehicle is an expensive endeavor to begin with, but add in the trepidation of $4-per gallon gasoline and an economy spiraling towards the floor, and there's no doubt that the F150's intended audience would've had a hard time plunking down the coin for a brand new pickup.

No doubt, Ford is relieved that gas prices dropped, but the sketchy fluctuations in the commodities market have changed the way this 106-year-old company looks at the truck business. One consequence of high gas prices has been the sharp drop in truck buying for recreational purposes, so Ford has marketed the new F-150 as the ultimate work truck. Labor-friendly features like an integrated trailer brake controller and pop-out side steps are winning buyers over, but will they be enough to pass muster in the Autoblog Garage? Hit the jump to find out.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4

Continue reading Review: 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4

Review: 2009 Ford F-150 Platinum 4x4 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: 2011 Ford F-150 to share new V8 with Mustang, also get EcoBoost V6

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:17:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Technology, Ford

PickupTrucks.com is reporting that by the end of 2010, Ford will alter the three engine options that currently make up the engine choices in the F-150. What is coming in time for the 2011 model year will be a new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 and a 5.0-liter V8 code-named "Coyote."

Subbing the V6 EcoBoost for the V8 is about providing the same power with more efficiency. Said to be the premium engine for light-duty trucks, the direct-injection gas engine will offer something like 400 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque while carrying an EPA rating of "at least 23 miles-per-gallon on the highway." Those power numbers handily beat what you'll get from any of the current engines on offer, even though it's down two cylinders.

The "Coyote" 5.0-liter, modular, four-valve V8 will have "huge heads," and will return the same numbers as the V6: 400 hp and 400 lb-ft. This engine will become the standard F-150 lump, returning the same gas mileage as the current 5.4-liter but with much more power. This same engine will also reportedly find its way into the Mustang. That will leave the 6.2-liter V8 (the Boss) slated for the Raptor later this year as last engine choice (unless there's a 4-cylinder EcoBoost added in 2013), and it will go into special edition F-150s and the Super Duty trucks.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

REPORT: 2011 Ford F-150 to share new V8 with Mustang, also get EcoBoost V6 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 20 Jan 2009 11:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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