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What it Is
2009 Ford F-150 Preview – Detroit Auto Show: When you’re the best at something, especially for multiple decades, there’s a lot of motivation and pressure to maintain that ranking. That mentality keeps Ford continuously improving its most important vehicle, the F-150 pickup. Taking center stage at the 2008 Detroit Auto Show, the redesigned 2009 model will debut style that’s “a touch more civilized” than the Super Duty and features designed to keep competitors at bay, such as a new side step for the tall bed, added safety features, and a top-of-the-line Platinum trim. Look for the complete package to hit lots later this year.
Why it Matters
At this point, it appears things can only get better in Dearborn. With 2007 sales figures in, Toyota has officially displaced Ford as the U.S.’s second-best selling automotive brand, a point that won’t likely be rectified by vehicles such as the redesigned Focus. The Blue Oval brand needs not only hot new products but also solid updates to existing models, the most crucial being the 2009 F-150. While its cars and SUVs have gained and lost favor over the years, it has been Ford’s full-size light-duty truck that has invariably rallied the troops with consistent best-selling status. For a brand fighting to right itself, that kind of positive momentum is more important than ever.
What’s Under the Hood
For 2009, the Ford F-150 gets a fully-boxed, hydroformed frame, a double-wishbone front suspension, and a Hotchkiss rear setup with leaf springs offering six inches of added length. Three engines will be available: a 24-valve, 5.4-liter V-8; a 24-valve, 4.6-liter V-8; and a 16-valve, 4.6-liter V-8. The larger engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic, whereas the smallest engine will be paired with a four-speed auto. The V-6 has been scrapped from the F-150 lineup, and as far as engine and towing capacities, well, Ford is remaining extremely tight-lipped for now.
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