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Basic Specs
| Base Price | TBA |
| Drivetrain | Rear Wheel Drive |
| Curb Weight (lbs) | 4685 |
| City (MPG) | 17 |
| Hwy (MPG) | 23 |
| Horsepower | 302@6500 |
| Torque (lb-ft) | 278@4000 |
| Wheelbase | 125.9 |
| Length (in.) | 213.2 |
| Width (in.) | 79.2 |
| Height (in.) | 74.8 |
Ford's F-150 pickup has been the best selling vehicle in America for decades thanks to a rugged design, capable engines and an almost infinite amount of trim configurations, which include specialized niche models like the off-road-focused F-150 SVT Raptor and the burly F-150 Harley-Davidson.
For the latest model year, the big news is the availability of a new FX Appearance Package for the FX2 and FX4 trims. Though it can be had with any exterior color, the package has a stygian theme: the unique badges, grille and six-spoke, 20-inch wheels are all rendered in black (albeit with red trim). Smoked taillights and headlight surrounds along with a chromed exhaust tip round out the exterior aspects of the package, while inside there’s black leather seating with red perforations and red piping, brushed-metal trim and satin-finish on the shifter knob, door handles and air conditioning vent bezels.
Also new is a standard Hill Start Assist that makes accelerating from a standstill on an incline less of a dicey maneuver. After the driver releases the brake, the system will hold the vehicle in the place for two seconds or until the driver hits the gas, preventing the truck from rolling down the incline.
Powertrain Lineup
Ford recently unleashed a quartet of new engines for its lineup, ranging from a base V6 to to a new mid-grade V8, to a twin-turbocharged V6 to a massive 6.2-liter V8.
All engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The 6R80 transmission benifits Ford’s SelectShift system for full manual-style control to reduce upshifts. Gear ratios have also been modified and a one-way clutch is said to give the transmission smoother 1-2 or 2-1 shifts.
302-horsepower base V6
Just a couple years ago Ford dropped its base six-cylinder thanks to sluggish sales and dismal power, which temporarily left a small 2-valve 4.6-liter V8 as the base engine.
Now, Ford thinks it has the right configuration for a base model. Taking the 3.7-liter Duratec V6 from the new Ford Mustang, base variants of the F-150 will put out an impressive 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm, a figure the automaker says is best-in-class for a V6. The 3.7 is also good for 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm – tied for best-in-class. Ford says that these power figures give the base V6 engine best-in-class trailer towing of 6,100 lbs compared to V6 competitors.
The horsepower figure for Ford's newest base engine also exceeds the horsepower output of all but the range-topping F-150 from the previous model year – setting the tone for a significant powertrain overhaul across the entire lineup.
F-150s equipped with the 3.7-liter V6 and rear-wheel-drive return 17 mpg in the city and 23 mpg on the highway, while four-wheel-drive versions are rated at 16/21 mpg.
5.0-liter V8
Ford’s truck engineers also looked to the new Ford Mustang GT for its 5.0-liter V8. Putting out 360 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 380 lb-ft. of torque (at 4,250 rpm) in F-150 form, the 5.0 V8 has been modified significantly from its Mustang application.
Ford says that the camshafts were re-tuned for better low-end torque and that a 10.5:1 compression ratio helps reduce engine knock at low speeds for towing. The V8 uses an additional oil cooler to help give it 10,000 mile oil change intervals.
F-150s equipped with the 5.0-liter V8 and the proper towing configurations are rated at an impressive 10,000 lbs. towing capacity, which Ford says will be the best standard V8 towing capability in the segment.
With the 5.0-liter mill under the hood, RWD F-150s return 15/21 mpg while 4WD models are rated at 14/19 mpg.
Standard F-150 gains Raptor's 6.2
Already available in the F-150 SVT Raptor, the automaker's range-topping 6.2-liter V8 makes its appearance on the standard F-150 lineup.
Rated at 411 horsepower (at 5,500 rpm) and 434 lb-ft. of torque (at 4,500 rpm), the 6.2-liter helps the F-150 tow up to 11,300 lbs – tied for best-in-class with none other than the all-new 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 F-150 for trailer towing capability.
Ford says that the 6.2-liter will be available in certain "specialty applications," like the recently-unveiled F-150 Harley-Davidson.
The 6.2-liter V8 is the largest and most powerful F-150 engine, and it has an appetite to match: RWD trucks slurp fuel at the rate of 13/18 mpg, with 4WD units are rated at just 12/16 mpg.
EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6 hits haulers, no premium fuel here
Previously, many estimated that the EcoBoost V6 when put in the F-150 would boast numbers similar to the 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque found in its current applications, but now we know that Ford had bigger plans for the EcoBoost in its top-selling F-150.
For starters, horsepower receives a mild but unexpected boost to 365 at 5,000 rpm, as well as a major increase in torque to a truck-healthy 420 lb-ft at 2,500 rpm. These figures both eclipse the rating found on the previous applications.
A key aspect of these figures worth mentioning to any who intend to use their F-150 as a truck, Ford says that up to 90 percent of peak torque is on tap all the way from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm, and all ratings are done on regular fuel.
Thanks to the healthy power ratings, Ford says an EcoBoosted 2011 F-150 will offer best-in-class towing of 11,300 lbs, as well as best-in-class payload of 3,060 lbs, even besting all V8 competitors.
Despite the impressive power and hauling capacity, RWD EcoBoost trucks are rated at 16/22 mpg while the 4WD configuratin frunts 15/21 mpg.
Nearly Infinite Configurations
Engine talk aside, the F-150 comes in 11 models for the latest generation, including: XL, STX, XLT, FX2, Lariat, FX4, SVT Raptor, King Ranch, Platinum, Lariat Limited and Harley-Davidson.
Cab configurations and bed lengths vary from Regular cab, to Supercab to Supercrew, and from 5.5 feet, to 6.5 feet to 8.0 styleside boxes.
Other features include trailer sway control, a hydroformed frame, AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, an electronic locking rear differential and an integrated trailer brake controller.
Interiors range from work-minded XL trucks with cloth seats and vinyl floors to several types of leather interiors. Features cover a wide gambit, but include technology such as Sync or MyFord Touch.
Supercrew cab configurations also gain a fully flat rear floor, which allows for added foot room and storage capacity for large boxes.
Key Competitors
Although there tends to be a great deal of brand loyalty in the full-size pickup segment, potential F-150 buyers willing to entertain other options should consider the sturdy Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and the Ram 1500, which boasts a refined ride thanks to coil-spring rear suspension design. The Toyota Tundra is also a worthy rival thanks to its strong engine options.
Similar Cars
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2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD
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2012 GMC Sierra 2500HD
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2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500
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2012 Chevrolet Silverado 2500HD
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2012 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid
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2012 Ford F-150
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2012 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor
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2013 Ford Super Duty F-450
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2012 Nissan Frontier
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2012 Ram 3500
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2012 GMC Sierra 3500HD Denali
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- General
- Body Style: Pickup Truck
- Size: Fullsize
- Market Segment: Standard
- Weight: 4685 lbs
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- Exterior
- Length: 213.2 in.
- Width: 79.2 in.
- Height: 74.8 in.
- Wheelbase: 125.9 in.
- Ground Clearance: 8.2 in.
- Front Track: 67.0 in.
- Rear Track: 67.0 in.
- Weight Distribution: TBD
- Drag Coefficient: TBD
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- Interior - General
- Seats: 3
- Passenger Volume: TBD
- Cargo Volume: 78.8 cu. ft.
- Cargo Volume (Seats Folded): TBD
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- Interior - Front Row
- Volume: TBD
- Leg Room: 41.4 in.
- Head Room: 41.0 in.
- Shoulder Room: 66.6 in.
- Hip Room: 60.5 in.
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- Propulsion
- Fuel Type: Gas
- Engine Type: 3.7L V6
- Power: 302 hp @ 6500 rpm
- Torque: 278 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm
- Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
- Highway Fuel Economy: 23 mpg
- City Fuel Economy: 17 mpg
- Forced Induction: None
- Direct Injection: No
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- Chassis
- Layout: Rear Wheel Drive
- Front Suspension: Double Wishbone
- Rear Suspension: Solid Axle
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- Wheels
- Front: 17" Aluminum
- Front Tires: 235/75R17
- Rear: 17" Aluminum
- Rear Tires: 235/75R17
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- Trailering & Hauling
- Trailer Weight: 5500 lbs
- Payload: 1710
- Tongue Weight: TBD
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