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Ford, America’s truck leader, introduces its most advanced and luxurious truck ever – the Ford F-150 Limited.

The new Limited expands the F-150 model lineup – Ford’s toughest, smartest, safest and most capable F-150 ever – with more standard technology and driver convenience features than any other light-duty pickup. The Limited, a 2016 model, goes on sale this winter.

“The F-150 Limited sets a new bar for what discerning customers should expect in a high-end truck,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. “We’re adding segment-exclusive technology, and features that improve productivity, convenience and capability with distinctive style.”

There’s a Ford F-150 for every truck customer, beginning with work-ready versions that have a starting MSRP below the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 WT, as well as the popular mid-range F-150 XLT. But the new F-150 Limited meets the growing, untapped needs of luxury customers looking for exclusivity, convenience and fine craftsmanship that’s differentiated from other high-series trucks. F-150 Limited surpasses the well-appointed Lariat, the Western-themed King Ranch and contemporary Platinum edition models.

In 1999, the company introduced the special-edition 2000 Harley-Davidson F-150. In 2001, the first King Ranch F-150 arrived. The 2009 F-150 took truck luxury to new heights with the Platinum model, and the first-generation Limited was added with the 2013 model year.

Exterior refinements

The 2016 Ford F-150 Limited stands out with exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels and raised dimensional LIMITED lettering on the hood, unique grille and satin-finished chrome badge on the tailgate. The chrome front bumper has body-color end caps while the rear bumper is body color; bright belt moldings visually tie the two together. The exterior is further accented by satin-chrome door handles and chrome exhaust tip.

Available colors include Shadow Black, Magnetic, Blue Jeans and White Platinum Metallic tri-coat.

Top-tier equipment

The standard equipment list is a showcase of the best F-150 Limited has to offer to make getting work done easier and with greater comfort.

BLIS® with cross-traffic alert, chrome front tow hooks (4x4 only), panoramic vista roof, power-deployable running boards, quad-beam LED headlamps, remote start and tailgate release, as well as an integrated trailer brake controller come standard. A technology package includes a lane-keeping system, 360-degree camera system and dynamic trailer hitch assist.

Interior equipment includes heated and cooled black and Mojave leather front seats that are unique in design and feature Limited badging, 10-way power adjustment and class-exclusive1 multicontour massaging. Heated rear seats and SYNC® 3 with AppLink™ are also included.

SYNC 3 is Ford’s newest communications and entertainment system that features enhanced voice recognition, high-speed performance, capacitive touch screen and easier-to-understand graphical interface.3

F-150 Limited also includes a Sony® 10-speaker sound system with HD Radio™, subwoofer and single CD player paired with a five-year subscription to SiriusXM Traffic and Travel Link to complete the package.

The interior is further differentiated from other F-150 models with a laser-engraved VIN plate on the center console lid including production number. Unique front and rear floor mats, unique instrument cluster face, genuine fiddleback eucalyptus, and aluminum interior accents and unique scuff plates with ice blue backlighting further distinguish the Limited model.

All-new, segment1-first Pro Trailer Backup Assist is available that makes it easier for drivers of all skill levels to back a trailer up to launch a boat or park in a driveway. The technology allows customers to steer a trailer instinctively by turning a knob left or right to indicate direction; the truck controls its steering and limits vehicle speed.

Advanced power and fuel efficiency

The 2016 F-150 Limited is powered by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6, which allows for towing of up to 10,100 pounds when properly equipped. This advanced powertrain produces 365 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque – the latter unsurpassed by any truck with a comparable engine in its class1 – and has an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city, 24 mpg highway and 20 mpg combined.2

The engine is paired with an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul and sport modes that features SelectShift® with progressive range select. Four-wheel-drive models are equipped with two-speed automatic four-wheel drive that automatically shifts between two-wheel and four-wheel drive depending on driving surface traction conditions.

The 2015 F-150 is the only full-size, light-duty truck to earn the highest rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a five-star crash test rating for all crash test modes and cab configurations – SuperCrew, SuperCab and Regular Cab.

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For the last five years, Ford has been aggressively pursuing downsized, turbocharged engines across its vehicle lineup. However, a significant percentage of F-150 buyers still prefer the naturally aspirated 5.0L Coyote V-8 over the 3.5L or 2.7L EcoBoost V-6 engines. Although the Coyote is still fairly fresh, dating from just 2011 and producing a competitive 385 hp and 387 hp from its 302 cubic inches, Ford is not letting up on the innovation and development. In a Reuters report about Ford’s $447 million investment in its Windsor, Ontario, Canada, engine plants, a report about a next-generation 4.8L V-8 engine leaked out.
Little is known about the engine other than the fact it will replace the 5.0L at the Essex engine plant and is expected to be a “high volume” engine. An engine specifically made for the Super Duty is also planned, presumably replacing the current 6.2L gas engine. The 6.8L V-10 will also reportedly continue to be produced for applications such as the F-650 and the E-Series cutaway vans.
The 4.8L will likely top the current 5.0L in power and fuel economy and will almost certainly be paired to the new 10-speed automatic that debuted on the 2017 F-150 with the 3.5L EcoBoost V-6. Direct or dual (direct and port) fuel injection will likely be part of the plan, as well as auto stop-start. Some sort of cylinder deactivation system could also appear to optimize economy at light loads. Taking the speculation a step further, it’s likely the 4.8L could be the basis for a future Mustang engine, either with or without forced induction. Interestingly, the 4.8L displacement translates to approximately 292 cubic inches, a displacement most commonly associated with the Ford Y-block V-8 from the ’50s.

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ASIDE FROM SAFETY GEAR AND ‘REVISED’ SHOCKS AND SPRINGS, THIS IS THE TRUCK YOU’LL FIND AT YOUR LOCAL FORD DEALER

It’s one thing to go out and bash sand dunes in a relatively controlled desert environment. It’s another thing entirely to run the Baja 1000. After a down-to-the wire effort during the 49th SCORE International Baja 1000, the 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor can now claim it has done both.

To complete the non-stop, 854.5-mile desert race, you have to make it from the starting line to the finish line within 36 hours. The Foutz Motorsports Raptor made it in 35 hours, 59 minutes, 8.151 seconds. That’ll work! That time was good enough for third in class; Rod Hall claimed first in a Hummer, and Marc Van Tassell came in second in a Toyota Land Cruiser -- but so far as we know, only the Foutz crew drove their race truck home to California after the race wrapped.

Foutz and the brand-new Raptor found success in the American “Best in the Desert” race series earlier this year. But the Baja 1000 has unparalleled name recognition; finishing this race means something to even the most casual of off-road fans. Making the run in a purpose-built machine is impressive. Doing it in an essentially stock vehicle? That’s gonna sell some trucks.

Not that Ford has ever had trouble moving the Raptor, especially after a race-prepped version of the previous-generation truck had another successful Baja run in 2008.

Note: We did say the new truck was “essentially stock.” The 3.5-liter turbocharged V6, 10-speed automatic transmission, frame and body are all factory-fresh, but to be race-legal, the Baja-prepped Raptor gets enhanced safety features, including a fuel cell, a roll cage and racing seats and harnesses, plus a Rigid Industries light bar (the race doesn’t stop once the sun goes down).

Further, Fox Racing shocks and springs were, according to Ford, “revised” to reflect the weight added safety gear -- just how much, we don’t know -- but other than that, what you see (and don’t see) on this truck is said to be what you’ll get off the lot right down to the BF Goodrich T/A KO2 tires.

On top of the durability of the frame and suspension, we’re particularly impressed that the Raptor’s stock air filter was able to feed the turbocharged 3.5-liter even in choking silt clouds.

Did the truck’s driver-selectable “Baja mode,” which backs off the traction control, speeds up shifts and holds onto gears longer, help? Probably.

All in all, it’s enough to make the $50,115 entry price look downright reasonable. Though we don't expect to see many stock Raptors running side by side with trophy trucks going forward, the new models should continue to see action as prerunners -- the rugged and highly capable (but usually road-legal) trucks used for scouting and race support. And Foutz Motorsports will even do all the prep work for you.

Should you snag one, we beg you: Don’t let its newly demonstrated capability go to waste on the paved streets of suburbia.

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It’s finally happened.

For the first time in 70 years, Ford is making a diesel version of its light duty F-Series truck.

The automaker announced on Sunday that the redesigned 2018 F-150 will be available with a new Power Stroke 3.0-liter V6, a long-rumored and much-anticipated development.

The only other light duty full-size pickup offered with a diesel option today is the Ram 1500, which also features a 3.0-liter V6 and boasts the highest fuel economy among half-ton pickups. Power and fuel economy ratings for the diesel F-150 have not yet been revealed, but Ford expects it to be popular with customers who buy their trucks to use for towing. It’ll be matched to a version of Ford’s new 10-speed automatic transmission that debuted in the 2017 F-150 Raptor.

Along with the diesel, 2018 F-150 buyers will have four new or updated gasoline engines to choose from, all with fuel-saving stop-start capability: an entry-level 3.3-liter V6; 2.7-liter and 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6; and a 5.0-liter V8 featuring direct and port fuel injection for improved power and efficiency. The turbocharged and V8-powered trucks will use the 10-speed transmission, while the 3.3-liter V6 comes with a six-speed. Ford promises a maximum tow rating in excess of 12,200 pounds.

The F-150 is also getting a styling update for 2018, with new grille, headlight and tailgate designs that more closely resemble the ones on the latest F-Series Super Duty (the Raptor will retain its unique look.) An automatic emergency braking system that can spot and brake for pedestrians that step in front of the vehicle, plus an adaptive cruise control system that can bring the truck all the way to a full stop with the traffic in front of it, then pull away when it starts moving again without the driver needing to touch the pedals will be optional.

The 2018 F-150 is scheduled to go on sale this fall.

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Final 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Raises $157k at Charity Auction

An auction for the final Ford F-150 Raptor to be assembled during the 2017 model year garnered a winning bid of $157,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF.

Organizers of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on Friday did not identify the winning bidder.

The sale, classified as Lot 3004, more than tripled a the F-150 Raptor’s starting price of $49,520. It’s one of several vehicles that Ford and Barrett-Jackson have recently auctioned to benefit the JDRF. Two years ago, the first 2015 Ford Mustang GT sold for $300,000. Last year, the first 2016 Ford Focus RS sold for $550,000.

The Raptor in question was not actually present to roll across the auction stage. Ford will paint it in a unique color of the owner’s choosing, making the truck one of a kind.



Ford also used the occasion to reveal more details about its new Raptor Assault program. It will provide professional off-road driving instruction for Raptor owners, free of charge, from the Ford Performance Racing School at Utah Motorsports Campus.

A classroom setting will give Raptor owners an introduction to the capabilities of the high-performance truck. Then they’ll be released for a day of driving in off-road environments designed to highlight the Raptor’s six driving modes to tackle different terrains. Instructors will guide the owners through techniques such as rock crawling, high-speed “Baja” style desert runs, steep descents and more.

“The off-road terrain near Ford Performance Racing School offers a diversity of challenges and is perfectly suited to showcase the high-performance capabilities of Raptor,” said Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager.

Raptor Assault joins similar programs for owners of Ford Performance vehicles. Ford also offers the GT350 Track Attack for owners of the Shelby GT350 and GT350R, the ST Octane Academy for owners of the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, and the RS Adrenaline Academy for owners of the Focus RS.

“The Ford Performance owner programs that have come before are a strong indication that this experience will be outstanding – a big hit with Raptor owners,” said Ford.

Raptor owners can register for the course at RaptorAssault.com.

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Final 2017 Ford F-150 Raptor Raises $157k at Charity Auction

An auction for the final Ford F-150 Raptor to be assembled during the 2017 model year garnered a winning bid of $157,000 for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, or JDRF.

Organizers of the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction on Friday did not identify the winning bidder.

The sale, classified as Lot 3004, more than tripled a the F-150 Raptor’s starting price of $49,520. It’s one of several vehicles that Ford and Barrett-Jackson have recently auctioned to benefit the JDRF. Two years ago, the first 2015 Ford Mustang GT sold for $300,000. Last year, the first 2016 Ford Focus RS sold for $550,000.

The Raptor in question was not actually present to roll across the auction stage. Ford will paint it in a unique color of the owner’s choosing, making the truck one of a kind.



Ford also used the occasion to reveal more details about its new Raptor Assault program. It will provide professional off-road driving instruction for Raptor owners, free of charge, from the Ford Performance Racing School at Utah Motorsports Campus.

A classroom setting will give Raptor owners an introduction to the capabilities of the high-performance truck. Then they’ll be released for a day of driving in off-road environments designed to highlight the Raptor’s six driving modes to tackle different terrains. Instructors will guide the owners through techniques such as rock crawling, high-speed “Baja” style desert runs, steep descents and more.

“The off-road terrain near Ford Performance Racing School offers a diversity of challenges and is perfectly suited to showcase the high-performance capabilities of Raptor,” said Henry Ford III, Ford Performance marketing manager.

Raptor Assault joins similar programs for owners of Ford Performance vehicles. Ford also offers the GT350 Track Attack for owners of the Shelby GT350 and GT350R, the ST Octane Academy for owners of the Fiesta ST and Focus ST, and the RS Adrenaline Academy for owners of the Focus RS.

“The Ford Performance owner programs that have come before are a strong indication that this experience will be outstanding – a big hit with Raptor owners,” said Ford.

Raptor owners can register for the course at RaptorAssault.com.

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