Autoblog

Consumer Reports: Over 40 percent of 'sudden acceleration' claims involve Toyota

Chris Shunk — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Government/Legal, Safety, Ford, Toyota

We're guessing you've heard about Toyota's massive 3.8 million vehicle recall for unintended acceleration. It appears to be an issue that could have potentially resulted in several deaths and reports of hundreds of accidents. Consumer Reports wanted to dig deeper on the matter, studying National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data for the 2008 model year. CR chose 2008 because the claims occurred prior to the widespread media coverage that has resulted in a flood of new complaints.

In studying NHTSA's accumulated 5,916 reports CR found that 166 involved unintended acceleration complaints. Of those, 128 were reported prior to August 28, 2009, when a California family was killed in a Lexus sedan experiencing uncontrollable acceleration. Of those 128 complaints, 47 came from Toyota and five from Lexus, representing 41 percent of overall unintended acceleration complaints. That's obviously a disproportionate amount of reports for an automaker with 16 percent of the US market's overall share. Here's one complaint logged by NHTSA.

"I felt the vehicle [2008 Lexus ES 350] increasing in speed to about 90 mph, without depressing the accelerator. I had been on cruise control at about 73 mph... [A] passenger screamed at me to slow down. I was unable to do so, even after stepping forcefully on the brakes."

While Toyota had a disproportionate amount of unintended acceleration claims, the Japanese automaker wasn't alone. Ford received an also high 36 overall complaints, or 28 percent of all U.S. models. The F-150 appears to have been one of the Blue Oval's main culprits, and complaints ranged from a gas pedal that was too wide to an engine that decided to go buck wild.

"The engine immediately increased in rpm to the point where the rear tires began spinning on the gravel. I put the transmission in Neutral and the engine rpm increased. I removed my foot from the brake and the engine continued at a very high rpm. I then depressed and released the accelerator and the engine returned to a normal idle."

While Toyota and Ford have the lion's share of unintended acceleration claims, other automakers have a disproportionately low amount of complaints. Chrysler came in with 11 complaints, GM had seven, Honda had five and Nissan had three. Head over to Consumer Reports for its full report and more information on unintended acceleration.

UPDATE: Numbers and percentages mentioned in second paragraph further clarified.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Consumer Reports: Over 40 percent of 'sudden acceleration' claims involve Toyota originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:29:00 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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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named 2010 Truck of Texas

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 EST

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

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

It's no secret that the Texas Auto Writer's Association loves Ford trucks: The Blue Oval's F-Series pickups have won the Truck of Texas award six straight times. Actually, you can make that seven straight times now, with the F-150 SVT Raptor taking the top honor this year in the Lone Star State.

We didn't go through the precise reasoning of the F-150's dominance in previous years, but the arrival of the Raptor probably made the choice just too easy this time around. After having driven the Raptor ourselves we knew that there is simply nothing like it, and nothing anywhere near as good as it is, to be found in the OEM pickup truck world. When you throw in the purchase price of $39K for the 5.4-liter, you're going to look hard to find a similarly priced competitor in the OEM or aftermarket. The press is after the jump, and to Ford, congratulations are well deserved.

UPDATE: Turns out that the F-150 was actually named this year's Truck of Texas, not the SVT Raptor model specifically. The Raptor was, however, named best "Full-size Pickup Truck". You can check out the corrected press release that Ford just sent out after the jump.

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

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford F-150 ~~SVT Raptor~~ named 2010 Truck of Texas

Ford F-150 ~~SVT Raptor~~ named 2010 Truck of Texas originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 10:00:00 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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Spy Shots: Ford's new "Coyote" 5.0L V8 caught in F150 engine bay

Sam Abuelsamid — Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:40:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Technology, Ford

PickupTrucks.com has snagged photos of a Ford F-150 powertrain prototype with a brand new engine under the hood. And if the rumors are to be believed, it's the new 5.0-liter "Coyote" V8 due to debut in 2010.

The Coyote is thought to be a twin cam, four-valve per cylinder motor with an output of 400 hp and 400 lb-ft of torque. The new V8 will replace the long-in-the-tooth modular V8, joining the 6.8-liter V10 it's derived from.

The 5.0-liter will be used in both the light duty F-series pickups and the Mustang, and it should be interesting to see if Ford markets the EcoBoost V6 in trucks against the V8 when they're outputs are so similar.

Pickuptrucks.com also notes that one of the trucks was equipped with seven-bolt wheels, indicating a heavy duty payload version. This fits with comments made by Ford at the launch of the new F-150 last year, where Ford's marketing people indicated that some buyers whose needs were on the edge of the Super Duty were actually moving down to the F-150 for lower cost and better fuel efficiency. A light duty truck with an enhanced payload would help bridge the gap to bigger trucks, giving buyers more options.

[Source: PickupTrucks]

Spy Shots: Ford's new "Coyote" 5.0L V8 caught in F150 engine bay originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 17:40:00 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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Texas truck sales uptick seen as bellweather for auto sales?

Chris Shunk — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota

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

When auto sales began to circle the drain in 2008, no single segment was hurt more than pickup trucks. Sales were cut in half in many instances, pummeling the domestics from Detroit more often than their foreign competition. Truck sales even dropped in Texas - easily the world's largest market for all things with four wheels, a bed and a V8 engine. Some Texas dealers saw sales drop 30% or more in 2008 and 2009, but some signs point to a turning point for truck sales and perhaps even the auto industry as a whole.

In August, the Ford F-150 saw its first year over year sales increase in three years. Automotive News is reporting that dealers in Texas are reporting more fleet and retail traffic, and one ton trucks are beginning to move off the lot again. Analyst Erich Merkle with Autoconomy.com told AN that the increased truck activity in Texas could mean that the auto industry is on the back swing, and more importantly, perhaps the entire American economy.

As an example of how this could play out, Texas is home to many of our nations biggest ranches. Dealers often sell entire fleets of trucks to these massive ranches, and if they are asking for more trucks, the results will be noticeable in our monthly By the Numbers update. And if ranchers are buying trucks again, that means we're making more things and more money changes hands, which means the economy may be bouncing back to life.

We know it's a bit of a stretch to hang the entire economy on Texas truck sales, but more trucks usually means more building and more construction. We're not sure if that's a bellweather for success, but it can't exactly be a bad thing either.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

[Source: Automotive News - Subs. Req'd]

Texas truck sales uptick seen as bellweather for auto sales? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:29:00 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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2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor already a hit with buyers?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford

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

According to our friends at PickupTrucks.com, Ford has a hit on its hands in the form of the new and immensely capable 2010 F-150 SVT Raptor. Ford's Special Vehicle Team spokesperson Patrick Hespen reports that the Blue Oval has already taken over 1,500 orders for its long-travel off-road capable pickup, which puts the Dearborn Truck Plant at maximum capacity.

So far, all those orders are for the standard truck, which at $38,995 includes Ford's well-known 5.4-liter V8 engine with 310 horsepower and 365 lb-ft of torque. Come winter, an uprated 400-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 engine will be made available for another few thousand dollars.

Not surprisingly, 94-percent of Raptor purchasers are males (the other six percent are women we're dying to meet), and the median age is 39. Ford reports that Molten Orange Metallic and Tuxedo Black are the two most popular colors, accounting for 80-percent of all Raptor orders so far. No info on how many of those were sold to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor already a hit with buyers? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Lincoln Mark LT debuts for our friends to the South

Chris Shunk — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Lincoln

2010 Lincoln Mark LT - Click above for a high-res image gallery

The Lincoln Mark LT was an unmitigated failure in the US market, but in Mexico it's been the marque's top-seller, with 6,000 units leaving dealers since 2005. So while the gussied-up F-150 was unceremoniously euthanized in the US, Ford's luxury brand had to whip up something with a star badge, a split grille and a work-over with el feo palo for our southern compadres.

The 2010 Lincoln Mark LT looks a lot like the Ford F-150 Platinum fitted with a new grille (Ford didn't even change the headlights) and some Lincoln badging, because essentially, that's what it is. The new LT shares all the mechanicals with Ford's top-selling pickup, including its 310 hp 5.4-liter V8 powerplant, a choice of 5.5- or 6.5-foot beds and a tow rating of 10,000 lbs.

We're guessing there won't be many American pickup truck buyers disappointed that the 2010 Lincoln Mark LT won't be available in the US market. Heck, most truck buyers didn't even know the original Mark LT even existed to begin with. Click on the gallery below to check out the 2010 Mark LT in all its frankentruck glory.

Gallery: 2010 Lincoln Mark LT

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

2010 Lincoln Mark LT debuts for our friends to the South originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Aug 2009 11:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, Off-Road

Quick - What's the best-selling light-duty pickup truck in America? Did you say the Ford F-150? Not so fast. According to the J.D. Power Information Network (via our friends at PickupTrucks.com), General Motors sold more Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups (119,959 units) in June that Ford sold F-150s (107,778 units), and that's not a fluke.

It seems that the automakers don't actually break out the sales of each pickup line when reporting overall figures, so Ford lumps all F-Series (F-150, F-250, F-350...) sales together when it correctly lays claim to the title of Best-Selling Pickup Line in America. Ford's Super Duty series commands nearly 50-percent of the HD pickup market, which puts the Blue Oval on top of the overall sales race.

Interestingly, all three American automakers picked up full-size pickup market share at the expense of Nissan and especially Toyota, which saw sales of its Tundra plummet from 76,516 units to just 36,106 units in June of 2009 compared to one year ago. Click here for the full breakdown of full-size truck sales data.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:30:00 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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Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps

Michael Harley — Tue, 12 May 2009 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Ford

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

A total of 8,735 2009 Ford F-150 pickups are being recalled for stop lamps that may not illuminate during very mild brake pedal applications. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the culprit is a "brake stop lamp switch" that is improperly adjusted. Although the recall campaign does not mention any injuries as a result of the vehicle defect, the delayed brake lamps may increase the risk of an accident so owners are asked to bring their trucks in for repair.

As expected, Ford dealers will inspect and reinstall the brake stop lamp switch on affected F-150 models free of charge to consumers in a national campaign beginning on or before May 13, 2009. Owners with questions are encouraged to contact the Ford Motor Company Company Consumer Relationship Department at 1-866-436-7332 or online at www.ownerconnection.com. Recall campaign press release after the jump.

[Source: NHTSA]

Continue reading Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps

Ford recalling nearly 9,000 F-150 pickups over faulty brake lamps originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 12 May 2009 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Here's Mud In Your Eye: Ford Raptor gets new microsite

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:28:00 EST

Filed under: Gadgets, Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Toys/Games, Off-Road

Click above for a high-res gallery of the F-150 Raptor driving simulator

Ford is looking to drum up some extra interest in its F-150 SVT Raptor off-road specialist ahead of its actual on-sale date (which is still only listed as "coming soon") with the introduction of a new dedicated microsite that you can check out here. Features on the new web destination include a place to learn what makes the Raptor different from the rest of the F-150 lineup, along with videos, a gallery and an online tool to build your own.

Still not enough to whet your appetite? According to Brian Bell, Ford's F-150 consumer marketing manager, "We want people to understand the unique capability of this truck, that it can do things that other trucks just can't." To that end, Ford has been bringing an off-road driving simulator to the assorted U.S. auto shows that we've been following over the last few months, and the Blue Oval will evidently continue doing this on through the rest of the 2009 circuit. Give it a shot, it's good fun.

Gallery: Ford F-150 SVT Raptor driving simulator

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Here's Mud In Your Eye: Ford Raptor gets new microsite

Here's Mud In Your Eye: Ford Raptor gets new microsite originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Mar 2009 19:28:00 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.

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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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