2015 Ford F-150 Preview: 2014 North American International Auto Show

The 2015 Ford F-150 is the latest version of the best-selling vehicle in North America.  With 37 years of dominance in the full-size segment, the 2015 Ford F-150 is a can’t-fail product for the company, in the sense that while it has enough of a built-in buyer base to guarantee at least initial success, Ford relies on the income generated by the pickup to fund a significant portion of its operations.

The 2015 Ford F-150 takes a number of risks: a new body structure, a new engine, and styling that moves in a new direction compared to the departing model.  Positioned against recently redesigned trucks like the Chevrolet Silverado, the GMC Sierra, and the Ram 1500, the fresh Ford F-150 facing stiffer debut competition than it ever has before.

What’s New for the 2015 Ford F-150:

• All-aluminum body structure
• New styling
• Lighter platform
• Increased tech content

New 2015 Ford F-150: Styling and Design

The 2015 Ford F-150 finally fully embraces the big rig styling that took the pickup segment by storm in the 1990s.  That’s not to say that the F-150 looks dated – far from it – but it is playing a big of catch-up with other trucks such as the Ram 1500 and the Toyota Tundra that have been rocking an enormous grille for far longer.

More interesting, from a technical standpoint, is what Ford has chosen to build the body of the 2015 Ford F-150 out of: aluminum.  The first use of an aluminum body by a full-size pickup has enabled Ford to drop as much as 700 lbs of weight from the truck’s platform (depending on which model is ordered).  This is a major achievement for any vehicle, let alone one as bulky as a pickup, which indicates just how serious Ford is about improving fuel economy across the board.

New 2015 Ford F-150: What’s Under the Hood

More proof of Ford’s efficiency buzz can be found in the engine bay, where the company has added a new base V-6 to the mix. Displacing a mere 2.7 liters, this turbocharged EcoBoost joins a new 3.5-liter V-6, last year's  5.0-liter V-8, and the returning 3.5-liter V-6 EcoBoost mill, with the 6.2-liter V-8 having been eliminated from the options list. No power or fuel efficiency numbers have yet to be released for either the fresh motors or any of the carry-over units, but it’s safe to assume that the 2015 Ford F-150 will offer at least a few additional miles per gallon thanks to its weight reduction.  Look for the small V-6 to push out near 300 horsepower when the official announcement is made.

New 2015 Ford F-150: Features and Technology

Ford has done its best to cram the 2015 Ford F-150 full of both gee-whiz as well as useful technology features.  On the practical side there’s LED headlights and tail lights, a 360-degree top-down camera view for parking, a trailer hitch camera view, and LED lights inside the cargo box.  Ford has also added an eight-inch LCD screen in the gauge cluster, LED ‘spotlights’ on the side mirrors, inflatable second row seatbelts, and something called ‘Curve Control’ which is intended to improve handling by way of selectively activating the truck’s brakes.

New 2015 Ford F-150: What Autobytel Thinks

The 2015 Ford F-150 has a lot going for it, especially for those who complained that last year’s truck wasn’t as aggressive-looking as it needed to be.  There’s no question that adding extra safety and technology features to the F-150 makes it a more appealing package, especially for those inclined to load on the options at ordering time.  How will an all aluminum body age in a work environment?  Will a small turbo V-6 be enough to move the pickup truck crowd?  These important questions are harder to answer in an auto show environment.