2009 Ford F-150

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, designers, 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), regular unleaded 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-150.

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 smart new features for the new 2009 Ford F-150.

It starts with the clever interior, which features a flow-through console that has 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 that 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.”

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Exterior and Interior

The new 2009 Ford F-150 offers customers the most choice with more configurations than any other full-size pickup 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.

New All Around

“When we talk with truck owners, they tell us about all of the ways we can improve the functionality of their trucks and they always tell us not to mess with the design,” said Patrick Schiavone, Design director, Ford Trucks and SUVs. “We’re listening to our customers, adding grille treatments to give each trim level in the series a distinct appearance while sill maintaining the signature tough look F-150 fans have come to know and love.”

Inspired by the 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty, the new F-150 three-bar grille is flanked by large nostrils and new jeweled headlamps that wrap into the edges of the fenders. A sculpted power dome hood raises the truck two inches adding to its presence.

The basic grille design has been tailored to reflect the character of each of the trim levels:

• The XL workhorse features the simplest execution of the new grille design – this no-fuss look is ready for the toughest jobs.
• Rugged black grilles on the STX and FX4 with body color surrounds signal a sportier character.
• A chrome grille and bumper give mid-range XLT models a tough, confident appearance.
• The higher series Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum models are differentiated by the refined toughness of the fine mesh grille inserts and unique finishes.

Every series of the 2009 F-150 features a new tailgate, which features a graphic abstraction of the three-bar grille. The three feature lines stamped into the tailgate tie to the tail lamps and curves up at the top, forming a lip that improves the truck’s aerodynamic performance and provides space for the Tailgate Step.

“Pickup trucks all look the same from the back,” said Schiavone. “We wanted to do something that would set the F-150 apart, add visual interest and provide another detail to reward truck fans who pay as much attention to the details as we do.”

The 2009 F-150’s badges are new, too. Displayed on the front fenders, the new badges are reminiscent of hand-crafted belt buckles. The new design features a bold, italic F-150 on a sculpted silver base with the trim level series designation inset in smaller type.

F-150 Goes Platinum

Toughness comes standard with the new 2009 F-150. But Ford is offering truck buyers still more choice with a broader truck lineup that now provides a new answer to the question: Just how high-end do truck customers want to go?

Reaching beyond even Lariat and King Ranch models, the new F-150 Platinum offers even greater levels of tough luxury without compromising any ‘Built Ford Tough’ truck capabilities.

The F-150 Platinum wears its own unique satin chrome grille with fine egg crate mesh set into the three horizontal chrome bars.

Monotone paint is accented by chrome-capped mirrors, and standard 20-inch, 16-spoke polished aluminum wheels.

Power-deployable running boards are also available.

The Platinum tailgate features a satin chrome appliqué that adds an extra touch of luxury to the back of the truck.

Inside, F-150 Platinum features upscale luxury appointments.

Rich Stone or Dark Sienna 10-way power captain’s chairs and console cover are upholstered in one of the finest leathers available in Ford Motor Company vehicles.

Tuxedo stitching and embroidered logos on the headrests add an additional touch of luxury to the interior.

Satin Gloss Rippled Lacrosse Ash wood grain accents the center of the dash, center console and doors. Architectural elements on the dash, doors and console trim are finished in stamped, brushed aluminum – a detail usually reserved for top-line luxury cars.

Interior Sets New Standards for Comfort and Flexibility

The full lineup of new F-150s will redefine the standard for truck interiors, delivering unexpected levels of refinement, quality, comfort and craftsmanship.

“Customers tell us that they spend an awful lot of time conducting business from their trucks, so we’ve worked hard to ensure the new F-150’s interior is both functional and comfortable,” said Michael Arbaugh, F-150 interior design chief. “We raised the bar on ourselves, pushing even beyond what we delivered on the game-changing interiors in 2004 and brought home the new trucks with architectural elements finished in real woods and metals that help the new F-150 interior look like it’s been ‘built,’ rather than designed.”

The new F-150’s flow-through center console is lengthened by approximately 2 inches and is large enough to stow a two or more small 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. The interior also retains the circular air vents that have become a hallmark of F-150 design, but they now feature a small tab mounted inside to help more easily direct air flow.

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 conveniently located, one on the dash and one in the center console.

Door panels are designed to provide more elbowroom for passengers, and large map pockets stretch the full width of all four doors on SuperCab and SuperCrew, higher series models have real metal speaker covers in the doors, a feature often reserved for high-end luxury SUVs and the aftermarket.

All-new seats are made with upgraded materials and expertly trimmed with fine stitching. The new seat design is more comfortable and offers available power recline, power adjustable lumbar and heating and cooling functions.

“Ford customers are passionate about their trucks, whether it’s a base work truck or top-of-the-line Platinum,” said Schiavone. “On the new F-150, we’re delivering higher-quality materials and finishes on every series, so each customer enjoys an interior that looks a cut above what they previously had – and it will be more durable, too.”

Designers used easy-to-clean materials on all the touch points – spots where boots may scuff the door and where dirty hands will use knobs and toggles. Seats wear more durable fabrics that feature a textured weave with a softer feel. Satin-finished leathers create a different take on tough luxury, while the obsidian paint and wood and textured trim patterns are deeper and richer.

Wheels, Wheels, Wheels

More than 50 percent of truck owners modify their vehicles in some way for work, for play or to simply make a personal statement. With that in mind, the new Ford F-150 makes the largest selection of high-quality wheels in the segment available with 13 unique offerings.

The base workhorse XL model offers two 17-inch wheel options; the sportier STX model offers 17- and 18-inch wheel options; the XLT model adds a 20-inch wheel option in addition to a 18-inch option; the FX4 features a standard 18-inch wheel with an optional 17-inch off-road wheel and a 20-inch wheel; Lariat models offer unique 18- and 20-inch wheels; the King Ranch model offers 18- and 20-inch unique painted wheels and the Platinum comes standard with 20-inch wheels.

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Safety

The new Ford F-150 remains the most capable full-size pickup on the market and for 2009 further builds its capability by strengthening the frame while making it lighter, improving horsepower, boosting fuel economy, adding more usable interior space to the SuperCrew models and offering even more standard safety features.

“Capability is currency for many F-150 customers,” said Mike Crowley, Ford Truck and SUV group marketing manager. “That’s why our team has been working so hard to deliver the most capable trucks for our customers, right down to the new F-150’s laser-edge welds that are five times stronger than other trucks’ traditional spot welds. F-150 owners need to know that whether they use these trucks on the job site – or for play – they’re truly ‘Built Ford Tough.’ ”

Improved Chassis Helps Get the Job Done More Efficiently

The new 2009 Ford F-150 features a fully boxed frame constructed from hydro formed high-strength steel side rails – and cross members that pass through the frame rails – for increased durability and safety.

The high-strength steel does double duty, providing about 10 percent more torsional rigidity, enabling engineers to finely tune chassis components, while also contributing to a 100-pound weight reduction versus the current F-150.

“The new, improved chassis helps deliver additional payload and towing capacity as well as improved fuel economy, which we know is top of mind especially for truck customers,” said Matt O’Leary, chief engineer of the new 2009 F-150. “At the same time, we’ve improved the new F-150’s driving dynamics, delivering a truck that’s consistently sure-footed in all driving situations and load conditions, regardless of the weather.”

F-150’s double wishbone short- and long-arm front suspension with coil over shocks shares components with the 2008 Expedition, although it has been further refined for the F-150. Double ball joint links allow for more precise steering inputs.

The Hotchkiss-designed rear suspension mounts the rear shock absorbers outboard of the frame rails for a smoother ride and improved body control. The revised suspension features 6-inch-longer leaf springs. The springs are extended forward to provide better lateral compliance and refined rear axle steer characteristics.

The FX4 features an Electronic Locking Differential axle designed for true off-road performance. There is also a special 17-inch LT tire available to further enhance off-road capability. All 4x4 trucks offer a choice of manual or electronic shift-on-the-fly four-wheel-drive systems.

The F-150’s four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) not only improves braking performance but provides the necessary foundation for enabling technologies like AdvanceTrac® with RSC® and the integrated trailer brake controller. A large brake booster and master cylinder offer more responsive braking with a better pedal feel and less noise and vibration.

Size Matters, F-150 Delivers

In addition to improved payload and towing capacity, the new 2009 F-150 SuperCrew offers more usable space for moving 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 folds against the back of the cab by simply pushing up on the seat bottom, a move easily done with one hand, allowing easier loading and unloading of the truck’s rear seating area. The new SuperCrew’s longer door moves the B-pillar further back, improving the driver’s peripheral vision.

“The flat load floor and fold-up rear seat allow for a much better use of cargo space,” O’Leary said. “After F-150 customers find their way to their favorite electronics store on their 8-inch navigation screen in the instrument panel, they have enough room to safely and securely load their new large flat-screen television into the flat-load floor and take it home.”

The flip-up seats combined with the flat-load floor, allows items up to 47.9 inches tall to be stored safely from the outside elements and secured in the locked cab. The total cargo space behind the front seats is a class-leading 57.6 cu. ft.

The center section of the front bench seat features hidden storage and on Lariat models the center section of the back seat folds down into an armrest for rear seat passengers.

Easy on the Ears

Beneath its skin, the new F-150 uses a comprehensive sound package and class-exclusive features to deliver a segment-leading quiet and refined ride.

An exclusive Quiet Steel dash panel combines with an expanded absorber on the engine side of the dash panel to limit the amount of unwanted noise coming from the engine compartment. A single-piece substrate under the instrument panel replaces the former multi-piece unit, reducing the risk of squeaks and rattles and boosting perceived quality. The Regular Cab utilizes a soft-trim back panel to improve interior quietness. All models receive a new acoustic headliner.

The F-150 Platinum adds a laminated windshield and ultra-light, more absorptive carpeting and additional insulation in the dash panel, doors and back panel to deliver the kind of quiet ride that’s expected of today’s luxury SUVs.

“The F-150 Platinum is quieter inside than the Lexus LX 450, according to tests that combined scores for wind noise, road noise and harshness measured at highway speeds,” O’Leary said. “We set the bar high with this truck, because we know customers equate quietness with quality.”

All new F-150s have been tuned from top to bottom to reduce NVH, including all the exterior body panels. Computer models were made to determine where to add curvature and grooves to the metal panels to reduce vibration. New powertrain mounts, in addition to being more durable, also deliver vibration-free performance at idle and while cruising on smooth roads.

The powertrain was tuned to optimize vehicle dynamics, shift quality and durability while reducing unwanted noise and vibration. For example, the standard 6-speed transmission on the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8s reduces gear whine by 10 to 15 dB versus the outgoing 4-speed unit.

The new Ford F-150’s segment-leading quiet ride stems in part from an ingenious technology called the Multi Activation Regression Simulation (MARS) model. Sound technicians use the MARS computer model to balance different sound inputs coming into the vehicle – from the powertrain, wind and the road – and make all the sounds blend harmoniously.

“There are some vehicles out there that sound unbalanced. They are good for two of the three attributes, say wind and road noise, but are pretty bad for powertrain noise,” said Mark McCarthy, Ford Truck NVH Engineering manager. “What we’ve done with the new F-150 is focus less on getting each attribute as quiet as possible and work on getting all the levels in balance so the vehicle sounds and feels a little bit more harmonious.”

The sound balancing exercise and having such precise control over all the sound attributes allowed engineers to focus on the engine note, introducing certain frequencies back into the truck to give the engine a pleasing, powerful sound.

All-V-8 Powertrain Lineup

The new F-150’s engines do more than sound good.

• The 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V-8 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.
• The 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 is new for F-150. Both the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8s utilize open valve injection. This unique feature improves the flow of fuel into the combustion chamber and allows for more precise control of the combustion process. This results in an increase in horsepower during towing and higher rpm operations along with an improvement in emissions.
• The 4.6-liter, 2-valve V-8 is the third V-8 choice in the line-up and delivers more horsepower with the same fuel economy numbers as the outgoing V-6.

All three engines are full LEVII capable meeting California’s Tier 2 Bin 4 tailpipe and evaporative emissions regulations.

“We’re including Ford-tested-tough V-8 engines throughout our F-150 lineup,” O’Leary said. “We listen when customers tell us that performance is much more than horsepower and torque numbers. For them, it’s all about towing and hauling, and this powertrain line-up delivers the class-leading capability that customers demand.”

The 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8s are mated to standard 6-speed automatic transmissions. The 6-speed has been designed to meet the demands expected of America’s most-capable pickup while delivering a significant improvement in performance feel and a fuel economy increase of about 1 mile per gallon.

All internal components of the smooth-shifting 6-speed have been upgraded to handle higher torque capacities; these include more robust clutch packs, bigger pump and bigger output shaft. The transmission’s hydraulic system also was beefed up to enable improved idle speeds and improved converter clutch duty cycles.

Building on Safety Leadership

The 2009 F-150, with an all-new hydro formed steel body structure including an industry-first use of tubular ultra-high strength steel, is engineered to earn top safety ratings from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Standard safety equipment includes: AdvaceTrac® with RSC®; ABS; Safety Canopy™ side curtain air bags with roll-fold technology for enhanced head protection in rollovers and side impacts; front seat-mounted side air bags; Personal Safety System; and new seats and restraints designed to earn a “Good” rating from IIHS in low-speed rear-end collision testing.

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Special Features

 The new 2009 Ford F-150 builds on its segment-leading capability, with industry- and class-exclusive “smart” features aimed at making the pickup an even more useful tool.

Most Capable Pickup Box
The new F-150 features the most capable pickup box in the segment. It starts with class-leading cargo capacity of 65.5 cu. ft. when properly equipped, made more flexible and accessible with new box-centered features.

“When we introduced the taller pickup box on the 2004 F-150, we heard from customers that they loved the extra cargo capacity but they were having trouble accessing the box from the side,” said Matt O’Leary, chief engineer of the 2009 Ford F-150. “We watched them try and jump up on the tire, use the edge of the running board or carry a milk crate to use as a step. They told us that we should just take the box height back down – but taking away cargo capacity from customers seemed counterintuitive, so we went to work on smart solutions that make the box even more functional.”

Among them:

• Box Side Step, which helps customers gain access to the front of the pickup box. This industry-first innovation, available on 6.5-foot and 8-foot Styleside boxes, is mounted firmly to the frame and tucks neatly beneath the underside of the box when not in use. The 11-inch wide step extends out from under the box with the push of a button and is easily stowed by pushing it back in. The system mounts one step on each side of the box for full access; each step can support up to 500 pounds.
• Tailgate Step, first introduced on the 2008 F-Series Super Duty. This ingenious feature is popular with a nearly 50 percent take rate. It is made of high-strength steel and is fully integrated into the tailgate. To use, simply lower the tailgate to the down position and slide the step out and drop it down into the step position. A grab handle folds up and out of the tailgate to provide extra support when using the Tailgate Step, supporting up to 300 pounds.
• Stowable Bed Extender, which can extend storage space to the end of the open tailgate or it, can sit inside the tailgate leaving a small, enclosed section that keeps cargo from sliding forward near the cab. When not in use, this innovative extender separates into two pieces that fold and snap securely to the sides of the box, allowing full space and functionality of the box.
• Cargo management system, which is factory-installed and available on any truck with a 6.5-foot Styleside box. It provides easy-to-use secure storage of all types of cargo. The basic system comes with two side rails and a pair of cast aluminum cleats rated for 600 pounds. Available side mounted, blow-molded plastic tool bins can hold up to 60 pounds and feature double-wall construction, providing a water-tight, thermal barrier that can even keep beverages cold. The system has additional load bar and bed divider options, to maximize cargo storage and flexibility.
• Lockable storage. The innovative Midbox is an enclosed storage system that’s mounted in front of the standard pickup box and behind the cab. Available on Regular Cab with 145-inch wheelbase and SuperCab with 163-inch wheelbase, Midbox provides an additional 26.3 cubic feet of protective, lockable storage for tools and other valuable equipment without compromising the use of the full pickup box. Rugged steel construction features double-paneled doors that are accessible from both sides of the vehicle. The doors lock and unlock with the same key that operates the driver’s door, and the dent-resistant exterior door panels are fitted with factory Ford door handles for an integrated look. Latches feature double-bitted keys and lock tumblers designed to provide exceptional security. In addition, commercial grade sealing provides a weather- and dust-resistant interior compartment.

“Any one of these features might not seem like a big deal, but for the customer who uses the box of their pickup five, six or seven times a day, these innovations working together are really meaningful,” O’Leary said.

That same kind of logic drove the team to include other clever features on the truck, including the EasyFuel™ Capless Fuel-Filler System. This customer convenience helps to reduce evaporative emissions that create smog and global warming. When fueling is completed, and the nozzle is removed, the system automatically seals shut.

This feature is expected to be a hit with customers, which is why Ford is rolling it out on new vehicles – cars and trucks alike.

The Ultimate Towing Vehicle

The new 2009 F-150 offers the most towing capability in the segment and features segment-exclusive technologies and features engineered and built with the tower in mind.

“Towing a trailer or boat can be intimidating, especially for people who don’t do it often,” said Don Ufford, chief engineer, Ford Truck Engineering. “Hooking up the trailer can be difficult, and feeling in control of the load on the road is challenging, too. That’s why we’re equipping the new F-150 with the same towing features Super Duty customers have come to love – and adding even more content for F-150 owners.”

They include:

• Advance Trac® with RSC® is standard on all F-150 models. The system can predict the vehicle’s path using a sensor to detect and measure oversteer and yaw by monitoring the vehicle’s speed, throttle position and steering wheel angle. When the system senses wheel slip or the loss of traction, it applies braking where needed to keep the truck tracking safely on its intended path. Unlike competitors’ systems, this Ford-exclusive system uses a second gyroscopic roll rate sensor to accurately predict the vehicle’s roll angle. If a significant roll angle is detected, the system applies additional countermeasures to enhance vehicle roll resistance.
• Trailer sway control works in conjunction with AdvanceTrac® with RSC® and can determine from the yaw motion of the truck if the trailer is swaying and take measures – such as applying precise braking or reduced engine torque – to bring both vehicle and trailer under control.
• Integrated Trailer Brake Controller is factory-installed and allows direct operation of the trailer’s electronic brakes by squeezing the control module on the instrument panel with more confidence than the typical aftermarket system.
• Tow Haul Mode changes shift points under acceleration, keeping the truck at a higher rpm and further up in the power range. Tow-haul also prevents the transmission from upshifting when the vehicle crests a hill, and it provides downhill braking that allows the transmission to downshift, letting engine-compression braking slow the vehicle and maintain a steady speed.
• Reverse Camera System mounts a small camera below the Ford oval badge in the center of the tailgate that is activated when the truck is shifted into reverse, giving the driver a clear view behind the vehicle. The video image is displayed in the navigation screen on trucks equipped with that option or in the self-dimming rearview mirror on trucks without the navigation system. The system provides the visibility needed to back up to a trailer and precisely line up the hitch. The screen image includes an industry-first centerline and colored guides giving the driver a better perspective of the vehicle’s center point and periphery.

“Capability matters to Ford truck customers, but that extends beyond towing and hauling,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “Customers tell us how important it is for them to feel connected on the road, and that’s why we’ve been working so hard to bring them technologies and features that provides them real-time access to key information, while minimizing driver distraction.”

Most Connected
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. A host of new technologies will be available on the new 2009 F-150. Among them:

Ford SYNC™, a hands-free, voice-activated hands-free in-car communication and entertainment system developed by Ford and Microsoft. The system fully integrates most Bluetooth-enabled mobile phones and digital media players, providing customers hands-free cell phone and music selection capabilities. SYNC will offer more functionality for the 2009 model year, with 911 Assist and Vehicle Health Report provided with no monthly fees.

911 Assist: When a phone is properly paired, turned on and connected to SYNC, the system will be ready to assist in placing a call to a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying accident. The key advantage of SYNC 911 Assist is speed, as calls are placed directly to local 911 operators. A SYNC-assisted call should reach 911 operators faster than competitive systems, as there are no handoffs and no need to speak to a call-center operator.
Vehicle Health Report (VHR): This feature will allow customers to stay connected to their vehicle’s condition and maintenance schedule. In creating a vehicle health report, SYNC will gather relevant information from the major vehicle control modules and package the diagnostic data into a usable format. That data packet will then be sent to Ford via an 800-number automatically dialed using the customer’s paired and operable mobile phone. The whole process, which in some vehicles will include a routine check of more than two dozen systems, takes a matter of minutes.

• SIRIUS Travel Link™, an industry-leading technology that, when combined with the voice-activated navigation system will provide users with a unique, information-rich in-car experience. The suite of data services includes real-time traffic data with accident and incident information, coast-to-coast weather data including current conditions and five-day forecasts, fuel price information for over 120,000 gas stations. Travel Link also offers sports scores and schedules and a listing of over 4,500 movie theaters with movie times, theater addresses, movie synopses and more.
• Voice-Activated Navigation, which 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. The navigation system’s text-to-speech function calls out street names while in route to a destination and reads incoming text messages when the system is linked to SYNC. The integrated DVD player is capable of reading CD-Audio, MP3 CDs, DVD, DVD-Audio and DVD-ROM (for digital map updates). A music jukebox function stores more than 150 hours of music.
• Sony Audio System features 700 watts of power, 5.1 Surround Sound, Sony Matrix Surround Sound and 10 Sony speakers and amps and is certified by Sony to deliver a unique, rich listening experience for every Ford or Mercury vehicle.

“Ford has spent years listening to our F-150 customers, and as the truck leader, we take our responsibility to deliver the right tools for them very seriously,” said O’Leary. “Before we started working on the new truck, we continued the conversation with people who use these trucks every day for work and play. 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.&rdquo