Detroit 2008: 2009 Ford F-150 looks to keep its crown

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

The full-size pickup market may be shrinking in sales, but it's more competitive than ever. With the introduction of the 2009 Dodge Ram and this truck, the 2009 Ford F-150, the segment is filled to the brim with modern, next-gen pickups. The best-selling F-150, however, is looking to keep its crown with the introduction of the 2009 model. Like any next-gen truck worth its salt, the '09 F-150 is pretty much better in every way.

Styling is always subjective, and fortunately there are many styles of the new F-150 from which to choose. The XL, STX, FX4, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and new premium Platinum trims all have their own look to varying degrees. Having seen all the different variations, we actually think the new F-150 gets uglier the more you pay for it. That's probably not what Ford designers intended, but the Platinum model's 20-inch aluminum wheels and bright chrome grille with mesh inserts just don't say "Built Ford Tough" to us. We'll take one of the less expensive models with its black bumpers and Super Duty-inspired three-bar grille instead.

Follow the jump for more on the 2009 Ford F-150, including Ford's official press release. Check out all the pics we have so far (more will be added) in the gallery below.

UPDATE: New pics added to gallery. Check out all 113 high-res photos of the 2009 Ford F-150.

[Source: Ford]

For those thinking that the '09 F-150 is just a skin-deep redesign, you'd be wrong. The entire platform is new and boasts a fully boxed frame made of hydroformed high-strength steel. It's lighter and stronger than the current platform, so expect payload and maximum towing numbers to increase when they're released on Sunday.

Pulling those payloads will be an engine lineup comprised entirely of V8s, as the V6 option's been dropped in favor of a 4.6L 2-valve V8 that offers more power and the same fuel economy. The mid-grade engine is a 4.6L 3-valve V8, while the 5.4L Triton V8 has been reworked to provide more power and run on E85. What's more, in the near future, Ford will offer both a diesel engine and a new EcoBoost turbocharged direct-inject V6 in the F-150. Until that time, its new all-V8 engine lineup features a fleet average 1 mpg boost in fuel economy.



The F-150's interior has also been revamped, though it was already class-leading to begin with. We'll wait until we have a chance to sit in one before we reveal whether or not Ford's interior designers messed with a good thing. New additions, however, include the availability of SYNC, Sirius Travel Link and a Sony brand stereo. Perhaps the biggest news inside the F-150 is how big it's become. Ford has added a full six inches to the length of the four-door model, all of which goes to increase rear-seat legroom to limo-like lengths. The rear floor is also completely flat, which Ford boasts is perfect for carrying a large flatscreen TV home from Best Buy.



Being that the U.S. truck market is such a competitive segment, you'd expect the '09 F-150 to include plenty of nifty features to set it apart. There's the Tailgate Step donated from the Super Duty, as well as new Box Side Steps that swing out with a flick of the foot right in front of the rear wheels. We're eager to try out one of Ford's first applications of its new Capless Fuel-Filler System, too.

We'll have more details on the 2009 Ford F-150 on Sunday morning when it rolls out on stage at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, including horsepower figures for its three engines, as well as payload and towing ratings. We expect them to be class leading. This is the F-150, after all.



PRESS RELEASE:

NEW 2009 FORD F-150: MORE CAPABILITY, MORE CHOICE, MORE 'SMART' FEATURES FOR AMERICA'S TRUCK

The vision for Ford's truck team was clear: Redesign America's favorite truck inside and out to give customers unrivaled capability, unprecedented choice and a host of smart, game-changing features.

The result is the new 2009 Ford F-150, the new benchmark in the full-size pickup segment from the industry's truck leader – which has built more than 33 million F-Series pickups since 1948.

The Ford truck team adopted a holistic, 360-degree approach to revamping the new 2009 F-150 – from its segment-first features to the tough new exterior highlighted by a dramatic three-bar grille and more spacious, flexible and refined interior, to the unparalleled choice of cab styles and trim levels – including a new Platinum series that redefines truck luxury.

The improvements are just as dramatic beneath the sheet metal. A new high-strength, lighter-weight chassis is the backbone that allows this tough truck to deliver more horsepower, better fuel economy and safety, and additional towing and payload capacity.

"The Ford F-150 is an American icon," said Mark Fields, Ford's president of The Americas. "Ford is the truck leader, and F-150 customers expect and demand the best truck on the market.

"Our team not only met those expectations, they exceeded them with the new 2009 F-150," Fields added. "With Ford's product-led transformation in full swing, the new F-150 could not have come at a better time – for Ford and for our customers."

In all, more than 1,000 Ford engineers, designer, researchers and others worked together to develop the new 2009 F-150. The team drew inspiration by listening to Ford's large customer base.

"Before we started working on the new truck, we continued the conversation with people who use these trucks every day for work and play," said Matt O'Leary, chief engineer of the 2009 F-150. "We went to their ranches, their job sites and their homes, making sure we crafted features that would improve their ownership experiences and, really, their lives."

The results will be clear to customers when the new 2009 F-150 rolls off assembly lines at Ford's Dearborn (Mich.) Truck Plant and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo – and as the new F-150 goes on sale in dealer showrooms this fall.

Most Capable
Ford F-150 customers tackle tough jobs when they work and play, and they need a full-size truck that rises to the challenge. The current F-150 is already the most capable truck on the market, but Ford's truck team drove capability to new levels with the 2009 model.

The improvement starts with the 2009 F-150's fully boxed frame constructed with hydro-formed and high strength steel side rails. The lightweight frame delivers 10 percent more torsional rigidity, which delivers increased durability and safety. The sturdy chassis also paved the way for the new 2009 F-150 to improve upon the current model's class-leading towing and hauling capability across all cab configurations.

"The new, improved chassis helps deliver additional payload and towing capacity as well as improved fuel economy, which we know is top of mind for customers," O'Leary said.

Thanks to the strength of the frame and comprehensive package of standard safety equipment, including side-curtain air bags, the new F-150 is engineered to earn top safety ratings from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Complementing the modern frame is a high-tech suite of features that ensures the F-150 is sure-footed and safe in all driving and load conditions. The new F-150 offers segment-first standard AdvanceTrac® with RSC® (Roll Stability Control) and Trailer Sway Control plus available Rearview Camera Assist as well as Integrated Trailer Brake Controller a segment-first on light-duty pickups.

The interior of the new 2009 F-150 SuperCrew offers more usable space for moving more people and gear thanks to a 6-inch stretch that improves rear seat legroom and cargo capacity. A mechanically articulated second-row seat flips up and out of the way. Combined with a truly flat load floor, the feature gives the new SuperCrew class leading 57.6 cubic feet of space behind the front seats and can accommodate items up to 47.9 inches tall, such as flat-screen TV that needs to be hauled from the electronics store to home.

Most Choice
Ford's F-Series may be America's best-selling vehicle, but one-size-fits-all does not apply to today's truck buyer. From the Texas rancher to the general contractor in Florida, F-150 customers have different needs and tastes.

In response, Ford's truck team designed a truck that offers more choice than any full-size truck on the market. With three cab styles, four box options and seven unique trim levels, the F-150 comes in 35 different configurations to meet the widest range of customer needs and wants – all delivered with quality.

Customers can choose from the no-fuss XL workhorse, to the sporty STX and off-road capable FX4, to the mid-range XLT. For those looking for tough luxury, Ford offers the high-end Lariat and King Ranch F-150 models.

New for the 2009 F-150 is the Platinum series, the most luxurious F-150 ever and the answer to a perennial question: Just how high-end do truck customers want to go?

The striking F-150 Platinum features a satin chrome grille with fine mesh inserts, 10-way captain's chairs upholstered with top-quality leather, tuxedo stitching and embroidered logos on the seatbacks. Satin gloss Lacrosse Ash wood grain accents and real brushed aluminum panels give the dash, center console and doors an upscale look and feel. Standard 20-inch, 16-spoke polished aluminum wheels give the truck a commanding presence on the road.

With more customers interested in personalizing their trucks, Ford is offering the largest selection of wheels in the segment with 13 offerings across the F-150 lineup.

Under the hood, the new F-150 will be powered by three modern V-8 engines, mated to either a 4-speed or a new fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The engines include:

5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V-8, which has been optimized for better performance with improved horsepower and torque and is capable of running on E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline), pure gasoline or any blend in between.
4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8, which is new for F-150. Both the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8's utilize open valve injection. This unique feature improves the flow of fuel into the combustion chamber, which results in an increase in horsepower during towing and reduced emissions.
4.6-liter, 2-valve V-8, a third V-8 choice in the line-up that delivers more horsepower with the same fuel economy performance as the outgoing truck's V-6.

This all-V-8 engine lineup delivers a fleet-average 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy versus the outgoing F-Series.

Diesel and EcoBoost gas turbo direct injection engines are planned for F-150 in 2010 as well.

Most 'Smart' Features
Ford's researchers spent thousands of hours listening to truck buyers to gain inspiration for a host of the smart new features for the new 2009 Ford F-150.

It starts with the clever interior, which features a flow-through console that's been lengthened by approximately 2 inches and is large enough to stow two or more laptop computers. Special ridges are molded into the edges of the bin to accommodate file folders. The console also has a multi-tiered, removable tray and locks to protect valuables.

More than 30 storage areas are built into the interior, ranging from a bin on the top of the instrument panel to a number of small spaces designed to accommodate tools like cell phones, MP3 players, PDAs and gate access cards.

A redesigned, more ergonomic shifter remains on the console. New, larger buttons and switches are ergonomically designed and within easy reach and view of the driver. A USB port and auxiliary MP3 player input are conveniently mounted on the dash. Two 12-volt outlets are located on the dash and center console.

Even the pickup box on the new F-150 breaks the mold with clever and capable features the competition cannot match. The class-leading cargo capacity of 65.5 cubic feet is only the beginning of the story.

The F-150's pickup box is made easier to use, more flexible and accessible with such new features as Ford's industry-exclusive Tailgate and Box Side Steps, Stowable Bed Extender and Cargo Management System.

"These features are impressive on their own. For the customer who uses their pickup box five, six or seven times a day, these innovations together make a huge difference," O'Leary said.

That same kind of logic drove the team to include other clever features on the truck, including Ford's Easy Fuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System. When fueling is completed and the nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut, reducing emissions.

The new 2009 Ford-150 also will allow truck customers to be connected to the world like never before. Ford has been working with Microsoft, Sony and SIRIUS to offer customers leading technologies to help them stay connected with their lives while on the road including:

Industry-exclusive Ford SYNC™, a voice-activated, hands-free, in-vehicle communications and entertainment system offers even more functionality for the 2009 model year, with 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report.
SIRIUS Travel Link™ that when combined with voice activated navigation will provide users with a suite of data services including real-time traffic, coast-to-coast weather conditions and fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations.
Voice-activated navigation that integrates several functions, including voice recognition destination entry, climate control and SIRIUS satellite radio into one easy-to-use system, displaying them on an 8-inch touch screen display.
Sony audio system features 700 watts of power, 5.1 surround sound and 10 Sony speakers and amps and is certified by Sony to deliver a unique, rich listening experience.

"We know how important the F-150 is to our customers," said O'Leary. "With the new 2009 F-150, we are delivering a top-quality truck lineup that is second-to-none in capability, features and a range of choices that will continue to make Ford America's favorite truck."