2008 Detroit Auto Show: 2009 Ford F-150
- Competes with: Chevrolet Silverado, Dodge Ram, Toyota Tundra
- Looks like: Ford truck designers have been playing with their blocks
- Drivetrain: 4.6-liter V-8, E85 capable 5.4-liter V-8, four-speed and six-speed automatic transmissions
- Hits dealerships: Fall 2008
First, we’re just going to come out and say it: We don’t know how much the 2009 Ford F-150 shown here tows. That’s one bit of information — along with horsepower and torque — that Ford didn’t release before Sunday’s public unveiling at the kickoff of the Detroit auto show.
We do know quite a bit, though. For one, the F-150 is significantly redesigned for 2009. Besides the new looks and a polarizing grille, the chassis has been revised and is lighter and stiffer. Ford says this helps make all variations of the 2009 F-150 the most capable in the segment, meaning that it should tow more than the current model’s 10,000+ lbs.
There are three engine choices: Two 4.6-liter V-8s, one for economy, one for power, and a top-of-the-line 5.4-liter Triton V-8. Ford doesn’t say if the engines are more powerful than before, but they are saying the trio gets 1 mpg better fuel economy than the previous models.
The biggest changes are perhaps to the interior, where many new corporate parts have been integrated. The center stack is busting with buttons. The 2009 F-150 also gets the new Sync system and upgraded voice activated navigation with Sirius TravelLink. The truck bed also comes with an available cargo system with custom made toolboxes. We’ll get more information in the morning, but for now check out the photos below.
