2015 Ford F-150 Preview

What Makes the 2015 Ford F-150 Unique

There are still a few months to go before buyers can see the all-new 2015 Ford F-150 in Knoxville TN at Lance Cunningham Ford. That may actually be a good thing because the 13th generation has a number of features that are the first among its competitors, from all-aluminum body construction to new engine options to a focus on the little details that matter for prospective truck owners. In fact, while it still retains the essence of its predecessors, it represents a significant step forward as well.

Powertrain and Weight Savings

It’s hard to talk about a pickup truck without going into how much it can haul. For a lot of people, that means the full-throated engine note of a V8. That will not be the most powerful powertrain option on the 2015 Ford F-150, and the auto maker’s engineers say that owners will not notice the difference.

Instead, while a V8 is the third option, the most powerful will be an EcoBoost V6 engine with twin turbochargers. The effect should be better power and torque numbers with significantly better fuel economy. There is also a similar 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 that also is a newcomer. Concerns over its reliability should be close to nil: Motor Trend reports that it got a “road test” of sorts by racing the full Baja 1000 with no problems.

New engines still have to work with the weight of the truck, but buyers shopping the 2015 Ford F-150 near Oak Ridge, TN should know that engineers focused on that area as well. By using aluminum for every body panel except the firewall, savings of up to 700 pounds are possible. Ford also used stronger steel in the chassis that also shaved off some weight. That translates into higher cargo capacity.

Exterior Features Follow Function in the 2015 Ford F-150

People who keep track of auto shows will note that the newest model hews fairly closely to a 2013 concept truck that still maintains the grille and stance of the outgoing vehicles. As noted above, however, the devil is in the details. One key vulnerability for many drivers is visibility, and engineers have slightly decreased the beltline of the doors and combined it with larger glass overall.

In addition, the trunk will have some parts that any pickup truck buyer will appreciate. The tie-downs are midway through the bed which affords more flexibility in securing bulky items and there is an available ladder that swings down all in one motion. Commercial and personal buyers will likely appreciate the available power tailgate that drops at the push of a button on the keyfob.

Interior and Safety Features of the 2015 Ford F-150

Buyers considering the 2015 Ford F-150 in Knoxville will also likely appreciate the updated interior; on higher trim lines, automotive journalists compare the amenities to luxury. Even on base models, there is an infotainment screen to control the air conditioning, stereo and other features. Available options include cameras that allow all-angle viewing outside of the vehicle along with the lane-keeping, collision-mitigating and similar safety systems that are still more common on expensive luxury sedans.

While the crash test data has not come in yet, many observers feel that with the addition of the higher-strength aluminum panels and stronger steel, the 2015 Ford F-150 should provide even better collision protection for all occupants.

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