Autoblog

Rendered Speculation: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty looks beefy, more modern

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:27:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford, Rendered Speculation

Armed with the latest sets of spy photos and insider information, our friends over at PickupTrucks.com have created an illustrated rendering of what they think the 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty will look like.

It's definitely bolder and more masculine, which is the direction that the Blue Oval seems to be taking with its heavy haulers over the last few generations, and it appears to take its basic inspiration from the F-250 Super Chief concept from the 2006 Detroit Auto Show.

Under that bulging hood will reportedly sit either a 6.2-liter gasoline-fed V8 engine or Ford's newly-developed 6.7-liter Scorpion diesel V8, the pair of which are new engines that replace the existing 5.4-liter Triton and 6.4-liter Powerstroke. Interestingly, both of these new powerplants will reportedly be paired exclusively with automatic transmissions.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Rendered Speculation: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty looks beefy, more modern originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 26 Mar 2009 10:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Chicago 2009: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition returns for Round 14

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck, Ford

Since a redesigned Ford F-150 was introduced to the world last year, that must mean this year will bring another limited-run Harley-Davidson edition. As with other recent examples of the co-branded truck, the new 2010 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition is largely an appearance package, but certainly a striking one. This is the 14th time that Ford has created a Harley edition pickup with the current series running back to 2000. Over the past decade, some 74,000 customers have opted for the bike-badged trucks. Aside from the unique Harley-Davidson visual elements, this model features most of the goodies you can find on the top-end Platinum edition F-150.

This latest edition brings the custom Harley design ethos, such as it is, to Ford's latest full-size truck. Starting at the front, yet another grille appearance shows up in the F-150 line with a six-bar billet-style setup. The body work can be ordered in either a deep maroon called Lava or the same Tuxedo Black available on the Lincoln MKS. The latter color features tiny glass balls in the paint that give it even more luster in the sunshine than a conventional metallic paint. Along the flanks, a red sweep adorns the rocker panels and chrome Harley badging stretches just below the top edge of the bed. There's more about the Harley F-150 after the jump.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Chicago 2009: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition returns for Round 14

Chicago 2009: Ford F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition returns for Round 14 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 10 Feb 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

VIDEO: Mike Rowe takes on dirty job of comparing full-size pickups

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:26:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Videos, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Toyota

Click above to watch the video

In today's world, you'd imagine that any new full-size pickup truck can handle the daily grind with ease. And for the most part, you'd be right. But when the time comes for heavy hauling, not all trucks are created equally. Each manufacturer can probably come up with scenarios where its particular pickup performs better than the competition, but after watching Ford's video, hosted by Dirty Job's Mike Rowe, we feel that the footage offers a few compelling reasons why the Blue Oval's latest F-150 might be the pick of the litter.

Up first is the well-known rough road test, and we were shocked by how much difference there was between how the F-150 handled the exam compared to the Chevy Silverado, Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra. You've got to watch it to see what we mean. After that is a test of fuel efficiency, and all we know about the procedure is that the most efficient engine option was chosen and, not surprisingly, the Ford came out on top. The third test involved placing a 993-pound spool of cable in the bed and running through a handling course and again, the results were enlightening. Lastly, an improperly loaded trailer was hooked to each truck and sway was induced.

In each test, the trucks were driven by a set of professional drivers, including Tanner Faust (that boy ain't right indeed), and the scenes were recorded from every conceivable angle. We're not going to suggest that these results conclusively show that the F-150 is the best truck available under all circumstances. What we will say, is that the footage after the break is certainly entertaining. Thanks for the tip, Kevin!

Continue reading VIDEO: Mike Rowe takes on dirty job of comparing full-size pickups

VIDEO: Mike Rowe takes on dirty job of comparing full-size pickups originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

5 Stars for '09 Ford F-150

Dan Roth — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:28:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Safety, Ford

Ford's 2009 F-150 has garnered five-star government crash ratings and a "Top Safety Pick" award from the Insurance Institute For Highway Safety (IIHS), which Ford says makes its newly redesigned full-sizer the safest out there. Vehicle safety is still largely a question of the loose nut behind the wheel, but the F-150 does come with a raft of safety gear. Acronyms and names abound, from RSC (Roll Stability Control), to K-bags and Safety Canopy curtain airbags, it all helps the pickup earn five stars in front- and side-impact crash testing. We'd expect no less from Ford, considering the F-Series is a perennial sales champ, and probably the most pivotal vehicle Dearborn makes. The '09 F-series has been racking up accolades and these safety ratings are yet another feather in its cap. With competitors nipping at its heels, the F-Series cannot be anything other than stellar, and for now, with the long list of huzzahs, it appears to have met the challenge. Press release after the jump.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 5 Stars for '09 Ford F-150

5 Stars for '09 Ford F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concept gallery

Frank Filipponio — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, SEMA Show, Truck, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford concept pickups from SEMA

We managed to track down most of the Ford concept pickups on our last day at SEMA. Hidden across the street, right in the front of the outdoor lot, just under the huge "Built Ford Tough" sign, there they were. We saw the Performance West Striker R F-150 and it's bigger brother Striker F-350, as well as the Street Scene Equipment Lariat that sort of reminded us of a certain bike-branded Ford truck. The F-150 Striker was reminiscent us of the Saleen S331 we sampled last year, and the F-350 was much the same only, uh, more so. We even came across an older Performance West version of the Striker sitting on the main sidewalk in front of the central hall.

Gallery: SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concepts

SEMA 2008: Ford pickup concept gallery originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford's light-duty 4.4L V8 diesel DOA?

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Green, Ford

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford F-150

Ford's reported decision to put its long-awaited light-duty diesel truck engine on ice for the time being could well be a result of slowing truck sales and the rising cost of diesel fuel. Indeed, the Blue Oval's pickup sales are down by about 27% compared to last year and are a far cry from what they were a few short years ago. That downward trend in sales is partly blamed on the recent rise in fuel prices, and diesel fuel has outpaced gasoline in its upward spiral. So, while diesel engines are inherently more fuel efficient than those running on gasoline, that pricing difference is usually only made up when a truck is used for heavy hauling and towing - one reason the expensive oil-burners prove so popular in the largest of trucks. Ford's not so sure any longer that drivers of its non Super-Duty trucks want or need a smaller diesel engine option. So, for now, Ford's 4.4-liter diesel V8 has been shelved.

Though not in the full-size truck segment for nearly as long, Toyota's Tundra has seen sales declines much steeper than the pickups from Ford, and the Japanese automaker has also put its diesel V8 on hold. General Motors is still on track to launch its 4.5-liter oil-burner, as is Chrysler with a Cummins-built 5.0-liter turbodiesel V8. These relatively small diesels are expected to average about 25% better fuel economy than their gasoline brethren while offering a power improvement of 10-15%. Ford believes it can offer similar performance benefits with its EcoBoost series of engines, one of which is slated for the F-Series trucks in 2010, for a smaller surcharge. We'll see.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Ford's light-duty 4.4L V8 diesel DOA? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Oct 2008 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford moves its F150 launch back up

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:02:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford

click above for more high-res images of the 2009 Ford F-150

Ford announced earlier this summer that it would delay the launch of its ultra-important F150 full-size truck by a few months to help dealers clear out left over 2008 inventory. For the record, the new truck's launch was originally scheduled for October before being moved to December. Finally, Ford has split the difference and will begin marketing its F150 in November. Jim Farley, main marketer at the Blue Oval, cites two main reasons for the revised decision. One: its dealerships culled their old supply faster than anticipated, and two: Dodge just launched its new-for-'09 Ram. Ford obviously doesn't want its cross-town rival to steal all its thunder.

Expectations for the new F150 seem appropriately timid. Current market conditions, including the relatively high price of fuel and the difficulty in securing credit, mean the the days of Ford selling a million trucks a year are over. Still, there is a large market left of users who depend on their trucks for work, and Ford's targeting them. We'll see how it goes beginning next month.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

[Source: Inside Line]

Ford moves its F150 launch back up originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Ford cuts inspired by Honda

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Tue, 27 May 2008 18:31:00 EST

Filed under: Budget, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Crossover, Ford, Honda, Earnings/Financials

Click above for high-res gallery of the Ford Explorer America Concept

For years, the success of vehicles such as the Ford F-Series pickups and Explorer SUV kept the Blue Oval brand from improving its line of mostly uncompetitive sedans. Automakers like Honda, though, never went the way of body-on-frame trucks and SUVs, preferring instead to continually improve its range of cars and crossover utility vehicles. That strategy is paying dividends in these days of high fuel prices, and Ford has taken notice. Asked whether he would prefer a more car-oriented model-mix, like that of Honda or Toyota, CEO Alan Mullaly recently answered, "Absolutely. We just don't have enough of those small or medium-sized vehicles yet, and that's what we need to concentrate on." Of course, all is not lost. As Automotive News points out, Ford has a new F-150 on the horizon, which is likely to improve its sales somewhat, and the brand as a whole has sold 647,140 vehicles, placing it well above Honda through April. Profitability, on the other hand, is another matter entirely.

[Source: Automotive News]

Ford cuts inspired by Honda originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 27 May 2008 18:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Got a Ford F-Series? Better follow the rules...

Alex Nunez — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:42:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Ford

If you roll in a Ford truck, you'd best be aware of the rules. If you violate 'em, the BFT patrol will be all over your case like stink on a monkey. And if you've been to the zoo, you know how monkeys stink. It's not good. BFT, as you might have surmised, stands for Built Ford Tough, and the rules detail activities and things that don't jibe with the image the F-Series projects. They include No Puny Dogs; No Scooters; No Manicures; No Cutesy Cell Phone Rings; No Fancy Coffee; and No Liquid Wrench, among others. Ford has helpfully provided a website that details individual violations captured on video by camera crews traveling with BFT cops. Case #073, above, documents a fancy coffee violator, while Case #235 (embedded after the jump) is an action-filled segment featuring a manicure infraction. We expect to see additional case videos added over time.

If you're driving, say, an F-250 4x4 with a pair of Vespas in the bed, a caramel macchiato in the cupholder, a Yorkshire Terrier in the passenger seat, and a BK Veggie in a take-out bag, we'd expect to see you get chased down, tased, "softened up" a bit, and probably locked up for 20 years without parole. If your Hannah Montana ringtone goes off at any point during all this, we fear that BFT would then be forced to get medieval on you. Consider yourselves warned.

[Source: BFT]

Continue reading Got a Ford F-Series? Better follow the rules...

Got a Ford F-Series? Better follow the rules... originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Harley-Davidson museum planned

Joel Arellano — Sun, 12 Mar 2006 19:00:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Classics

Motorcycle company Harley-Davidson has announced plans to build a museum in its hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Construction is to commence some time this spring.

According to director Stacey Watson, displays planned include the 1903 Harley-Davidson's serial number 1 cycle and Elvis Presley's 1956 Harley-Davidson KH. Posters, clothing and other colorful items from the company's collection will also be featured. No word if a suitably clothed Ford F-Series will make the scene.

The museum is expected to open in 2008.

[Source: Associated Press via the Milwaukee Post-Gazette]

Harley-Davidson museum planned originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 12 Mar 2006 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments