The 2019 Ford Raptor is getting new hardware over the outgoing 2018 model, including fancy Fox shocks that detect when the vehicle is flying, as well as off-road cruise control called “Trail Control.”

The 2019 Raptor, like the outgoing 2018 truck, gets Fox 3.0-inch internal bypass shocks, except now instead of just adjusting damping based on wheel travel, the shocks feature an electronically-controlled adaptive damping setup called “Live Valve,” which uses various sensors in both the body and suspension to change compression rates real-time. This should mean you can rip through deep ruts at absurd speeds without necessarily bottoming out and shattering your vertebrae.

Ford says drivers can expect improvements to the ride both on-road and off, with global director of Ford Performance Hermann Salenbauch mentioning the latter—specifically, how the system will help the truck jump. “Not many trucks need sensors to detect when you are midair,” he says. “Raptor sets the dampers to full stiffness to help smooth shock performance as the truck lands.”

Also new for 2019, Ford describes Trail Control—which made its debut in the 2019 Ford Ranger—as something similar to Toyota’s Crawl Control. “It’s like cruise control for low-speed, rugged terrain,” Ford says in its press release, going on to say the system “automatically [adjusts] power and braking to each individual wheel to allow drivers to focus on steering over rugged terrain.”

The system works at speeds between 1 mph and 20 mph in both four-wheel drive low-range or high range, with Ford saying the system can “draw significant engine torque to overcome steep obstacles.” In other words, it’s like hill descent control at higher speeds, and meant for terrains other than just downhill slopes.

I myself prefer to use my feet instead of letting the computer have all the fun, but after trying Crawl Control on the current generation Toyota Tacoma, I totally understand why others might like it, especially if this system can help the truck get un-stuck from a sand pit like Toyota’s can.

Though, if I’m honest, of the two changes for 2019, I’m mostly interested in the adaptive damping, because I want to know just much smoother and more controlled this truck possibly get while blasting through treacherous, uneven terrain.

Putting the F-150's hauling abilities and Power Stroke diesel to the test

It seems like every other truck commercial includes a shot of some random heavy thing being dropped into a pickup bed: rocks, hay bales, giant novelty weights. Denis Leary is usually talking, or Bob Seger singing. That the truck in question doesn't collapse like a hot marshmallow under the strain is presumably meant to prove it's not a wimpy truck for wimpy guys who can't get girls. Truck, tough, grr.

Well, with commercial logic in mind, we can report the 2018 Ford F-150 King Ranch with the new Power Stroke diesel engine option is not wimpy. Even when resplendent in its extra chrome trim and stuffed with a Lincoln's worth of luxury upgrades like massaging seats, the fancy-pants King Ranch proved its tough-truck worth as a front-end loader dumped a half-ton of river rock into the bed. The resulting cloud of dust caught the searing midday sun. I remember it now in slow motion, as if living through one of those commercials. Yup, that's a tough truck.

After Senior Editor Alex Kierstein put a 2018 F-150 Platinum and its new Power Stroke V6 to the tow test, it seemed worth the effort to test the hauling capabilities while also sampling a different range-topping variant. Though the equipment levels of the Platinum and King Ranch are comparable, the King Ranch is, well, more ranch-y in its styling elements. The earthy, rust-colored two-tone interior accented by multiple King Ranch squiggle logos (a replica of the actual ranch's cattle brand) remain from earlier versions, but everything is toned down and classier inside and out. The real open-pore wood trim is lovely. I'm actually a big fan of the overall vibe despite not exactly being a belt-buckle, cowboy-boot kinda guy.

The new Power Stroke diesel engine is a 3.0-liter V6 built in Britain and related to a number of Jaguar/Land Rover products, including the Range Rover and Discovery. "Related" is the key word, as Ford changed the turbocharger, fuel injection system, connecting rod and main bearings, oil pan and crankshaft to make "Power Stroke" more than just a sticker attached to the engine cover. The end result is a diesel mill that produces a stout 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque.

As Kierstein noted, this is an astonishingly quiet application of a diesel engine. Heck, it's an astonishingly quiet engine/truck pairing, period, regardless of fuel. You can occasionally hear a tell-tale turbodiesel whine when the Bang & Olufsen sound system is muted, but the expected diesel roar is never there. You have to roll the windows down for that, and even then, it's not exactly Peterbilt in its decibel level.
Paired to Ford's new 10-speed automatic, the Power Stroke is smooth and responsive, and not especially diesel-like in its drivability, either. Clearly, this engine was meant to provide the capability and fuel economy (22 mpg combined as equipped) of a diesel engine without the negative side effects that might otherwise shoo people away. Job well done.

As for its hauling capability, the F-150 Super Crew 4x4 has a payload of 1,720 pounds with the Power Stroke. This means I was essentially maxing the truck out with the river rock. I don't have an exact weight of the load, but knowing the basic volume-to-weight measurements indicated I was definitely in the 1,700-pound ballpark.

So loaded, there was a slight stutter from the transmission when accelerating from a stop. Presumably this was between the 1-2 shifts, and it almost felt like a driver failing to apply enough throttle when driving a manual transmission. All other shifts were fine, and this was the only indication from the powertrain that we'd just dropped a 1996 Lotus Elise worth of rock in the back. There was no straining from the engine, it just hauled without fuss.

Keep in mind, though, that the Power Stroke is a $3,000 option on the King Ranch versus the standard 5.0-liter V8 (395 hp, 400 lb-ft) and $600 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 (375 hp, 470 lb-ft) that actually have greater payloads topping 2,000 pounds. Its 4x4 fuel economy of 22 mpg combined compares to the V8's 18 mpg combined and the EcoBoost's 19 – although the Power Stroke may be thriftier in the real world than the EPA numbers suggest, its price premium would still take a long time to pay back.

Moving beyond the powertrain, loading up the bed settled down the rear end and therefore improved the ride. When unloaded, the F-150's leaf-sprung rear end isn't as good as the coil sprung 2019 Ram 1500's. The steering also became lighter, but again, that's to be expected, and actually remained vastly better than the at-times spooky steering of past pickups.

Fitted to the test truck was the $495 spray-in Tough Bed bedliner option, which is absolutely worth the expense. Though I put down thick plastic sheeting to protect it further, it was no worse for wear after being emptied, swept and hosed out. Impressive. Careful piloting by the front-end-loader operator meant the military-grade aluminum bed exterior remained untested (though it probably would've handled it well).

I also had the opportunity to utilize the F-150's "man step" or whatever it's officially called, once again finding it to be a must-have feature. Despite Chevy's sour grapes ads about it, you're not a wimp for using it — it makes getting up to and out of the bed easier, but it also makes for a quicker and therefore more productive working experience. My 5-foot-0 wife was especially grateful for its existence. A guy in the Home Depot parking lot stopped me to note it was a great feature. So there.

With the bed painstakingly unloaded, it was soon thereafter repurposed for a considerably lighter hauling task: a two-person river-floating inner tube. The reasonably priced $250 foldable bed-extender proved handy as it did its job extending the Super Crew's 6.5-inch Styleside bed to accommodate the raft, and therefore make it possible to transport it to the Washougal River inflated. Good plan in theory, except our friends' tubes still needed to be inflated and with the F-150's two house-style electric outlets aboard, a quicker, more powerful compressor could be used while still having an extra outlet available for a blender or hair dryer or some manly thing. Belt sander, sure, that works.

So whether using it as Denis Leary would narrate, or like a pampered city slicker who needs a $74,295 King Ranch to occasionally haul an oversized inner tube to a river, this F-150 got the job done. It's definitely not wimpy. Neither is the Power Stroke, but after crunching the numbers, the ad men may need to work some magic.

Ford’s most luxurious F-150 pickup will also be its most powerful for the 2019 model year. The F-150 Limited will offer the mighty Raptor’s twin-turbo 450-horsepower V6 and a host of new luxury touches.

Along with glamourous touches like soft two-tone leather, the 2019 F-150 Limited will be the most powerful light pickup on the road.

It’s also one of the ritziest, with interior features and materials to rival a luxury sedan.

The 3.5L twin-turbo V6 also produces 510 pound-feet of torque and has a standard 10-speed automatic transmission.

The upgrades are designed to help Ford fend off challenges by all-new pickups from Chevrolet, GMC and Ram.

Sales of the 2019 F-150 Limited should begin late this year.

Pricing hasn’t been announced, but the 2018 F-150 Limited starts at $61,360 and can top $70,000.

While the Raptor was developed to race through rugged terrain like Baja California, the Limited oozes luxury.

Features will include:

• Camel Back two-tone soft-touch leather upholstery
• Multicontour massaging heated and ventilated front seats
• Hand-finished ash swirl wood trim
• Power retractable running boards
• 22-inch aluminum wheels
• A laser-etched plaque with the serial number of each F-150 Limited
• Twin-panel sunroof
• 360-degree camera and trailer brake assist
• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision sensing and automatic braking
• Pedestrian detection
• B&O Play audio

The F-150 has been America’s bestselling vehicle for 35 years.

Sometimes you need to haul your bike and a pickup is a great way to do it. That's why pickup trucks and motorcycles are a perfect match. So it was only natural for Ford and Harley-Davidson to collaborate on a Harley-Davidson F-150 special edition models between 2000 and 2012.

But the two companies let their partnership expire with Ford's last Harley-Davidson F-150 in 2012, so now Harley has partnered with custom truck builder Tuscany Motor Co. to create an all-new custom Harley-flavored 2019 Ford F-150 pickup truck as part of Harley's 115th anniversary celebration.

Designers took specific inspiration from Harley's Fat Boy model in designing the pickup, which includes milled aluminum 22-inch wheels that mirror similar wheels on the bike. It's also finished with a custom-tuned Flowmaster exhaust, Harley badges and Harley-labeled instruments, aluminum racing-style pedals, two-tone diamond-stitched perforated custom leather seats, and a BDS Suspension lift kit and Fox off-road shocks.

Of course, the Harley-Davidson Ford F-150 rolls on larger 35-inch off-road tires, because that's pretty much a must for custom pickups.

And that hood scoop is actually functional, so it routes fresh air to the truck's V8 engine.

“Harley-Davidson is one of the most iconic brands in the world,” said Jeff Burttschell, Vice President of Tuscany Motor Co. “The new truck was designed to evoke the same sense of power and freedom as the Harley-Davidson motorcycles that inspired it.”

There's no official pricing available yet, but you can place an order through Harleytruck.com.

Ford Motor is recalling nearly 2 million pickup trucks to fix a seat belt defect that could trigger vehicle fires.

The recall affects the crown jewel of Ford's lineup: the F-150 pickup. The F-series lineup is the best selling vehicle model in the U.S.

The move came after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration launched an investigation into the matter in early August after receiving reports of five fires due to the defect, including three that engulfed and destroyed the vehicle.

The company said it had identified at least 23 "reports of smoke or fire" but no injuries or accidents connected to the defect.

The recall covers the 2015-18 model-year Ford F-150 made from March 12, 2014 through Aug. 23, 2018, in Dearborn, Mich., and from Aug. 20, 2014, through Aug. 23, 2018, in Kansas City.

Ford said the defect involves front seat belt pretensioners that "can generate excessive sparks when they deploy."

"When sufficient sparks are present, gases exhausted inside the lower portion of the B-pillar by the pretensioners may ignite," Ford said in a statement. "If this gas ignites, components behind the B-pillar such as insulation and carpet may subsequently catch fire."

The recall is expected to cost Ford about $140 million, according to a public filing.

The defect compounds the company's troubles as it seeks to prove to investors that it has a plan to bolster its financial prospects.

Ford said the recall covers about 1.995 million vehicles in North America, including 1.619 million in the U.S.

Dealers will repair the vehicles for free.

Ford has jacked up prices for the popular F-150 Limited for the 2019 model year, making it that much more expensive than its rivals.

Those looking to pick up a 2019 Ford F-150 Limited will have to parts ways with at least $68,630 for the 4×2 model and $72,055 for the 4×4. That’s a lot of money, especially when you consider that the outgoing 4×2 starts at $62,855 and the 4×4 can be purchased for ‘as little’ as $66,280.

The reason behind the 9 per cent price hike? It’s unclear. Whereas automakers often increase the prices of new models by offering once-optional parts as standard equipment, Ford hasn’t done that.

Instead, the only apparent change enjoyed by the new 2019 model is an improved 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that now delivers 450 hp and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm) rather than the 375 hp and 470 lb-ft (637 Nm) offered up by the outgoing model.

Cars Direct reports that the 2019 Ford F-150 Limited comes complete with 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, a twin-panel moonroof, quad-beam LED headlights, and power running boards.

Inside, Ford has equipped the vehicle with a suede headliner, 10-way two-tone heated & ventilated seats up front, a 10-speaker B&O Play audio system, voice-activated navigation system, and pre-collision warning with auto emergency braking like all other F-150 variants. Other noteworthy features include adaptive cruise control with stop & go, auto high beams, blind spot warning, and a reverse sensing system.

Putting the F-150 Limited’s new price into perspective, the 2019 GMC Sierra 1500 Denali starts at $67,640 with its optional 6.2-liter V8 and Ultimate Package. Additionally, the F-150 Limited is almost $8000 pricier than models like the 2019 Silverado 1500 High Country and 2019 RAM 1500 Limited.

Ford might not be doomed after all. The American automaker has now finally announced that it is going to launch an all-electric version of its most important vehicle program: the F-Series pickup trucks.

Last year, Ford announced plans to “bring 16 battery-electric vehicles to market by 2022” – starting with an all-electric CUV with 300 miles of range.

But the automaker still remained more focused on hybrids than all-electric vehicles.

Its more important vehicle program, the F150 pickup truck, was only supposed to get a hybrid powertrain by 2020, but the landscape has since changed a lot.

Rivian has unveiled what could be a really competitive all-electric pickup truck and Elon Musk has been heavily hyping an upcoming Tesla all-electric pickup.

It made Ford’s hybrid pickup plan a little weak, but now the company is planning to have its own all-electric F-Series truck.

Ford CEO Jim Hackett made the announcement at the Deutsche Bank Global Auto Industry Conference today:

It sounds like the previously announced hybrid version of the F150 is still planned for production, but it will be followed by an all-electric version of at least one pickup truck in the F-Series.

He didn’t confirm a timeline nor which pickup truck in the F-Series – though the F150 is a likely option.

It’s one of many EV announcements from Ford over the last week.

Ford and VW announced that they are considering partnering on electric vehicles.

Lincoln, the American automaker’s premium brand, also announced that it is making an electric car based on Ford’s Mustang-inspired EV.

The Mustang-inspired EV is supposed to be Ford’s first all-electric vehicle built to be electric from the ground up and it is due to launch next year.

Ford, America's truck leader, introduces the next level of Built Ford Tough heavy-duty pickup truck capability, power and technology with the new 2020 F-Series Super Duty pickup.

"Super Duty customers have demanding and diverse needs - from towing heavy trailers to repairing critical infrastructure," said Kumar Galhotra, Ford president, North America. "Productivity is their lifeblood and their truck is their biggest tool. Our new Super Duty has more power, more payload and towing capability and better technology than ever to help these customers build a better world."

F-Series Super Duty had the most market share in industries such as government with more than 60 percent share, petroleum with 50 percent share and utility services with more than 45 percent share, according to Ford analysis of IHS Markit TIPet U.S. registration data, January 2017 through November 2018. Assembled in the United States, Ford's F-Series Super Duty is built with pride at both Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville and Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake.

New F-Series Super Duty improvements include new gas and diesel engines, an all-new 10-speed automatic transmission, chassis upgrades, exterior and interior design updates, and smart advanced technology that raises the bar again in towing, payload and connectivity.

All-new powertrains for improved performance and capability
An all-new Ford-designed and Ford-built 7.3-liter V8 joins the standard 6.2-liter V8 in Super Duty's gas engine stable. The Ford-designed and Ford-built third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel V8 is upgraded to deliver more power and torque. An all-new Ford-designed and Ford-built 10-speed heavy-duty TorqShift® automatic transmission is paired with the 7.3-liter V8 and third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke® diesel V8. Ford is the only manufacturer to design and build all of its heavy-duty engine and transmission combinations - ensuring the powertrain works seamlessly with all chassis components and vehicle calibrations.

"With the addition of the 7.3-liter V8, upgrades to our 6.7-liter and the debut of an all-new 10-speed transmission, we are delivering the strongest, most capable Super Duty powertrain offerings yet," said Mike Pruitt, Ford Super Duty chief engineer.

The 7.3-liter gas V8 engine delivers high performance in a compact package. Based on decades of commercial engine experience, this 7.3-liter is expected to be the most powerful gas V8 in its class - providing durability, ease of maintenance, and the towing and payload capability customers want. It uses an all-new cam-in-block, overhead valve architecture with cast iron block and forged steel crankshaft for maximum durability. Port injection with variable-valve timing optimizes the intake and exhaust to match performance with workloads. Oil jets cool the pistons under heavy loads.

Super Duty's third-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke includes a new 36,000-psi fuel injection system with all-new injectors that precisely meter and spray up to eight times per stroke to control noise levels and optimize combustion. This innovative inboard exhaust diesel V8 features a redesigned electronic-actuated variable-geometry turbocharger that provides improved pumping efficiency and throttle response. Structural enhancements increase the strength of the cylinder head, block, connecting rods and bearings to handle higher cylinder pressure and increased output. New steel pistons provide higher firing pressure capability and less friction - meaning improved performance and more horsepower and torque than ever.

The truck's standard 6.2-liter gas V8 rounds out the three engine choices for Super Duty customers. This workhorse offers heavy-duty truck customers proven capability at an affordable price.

Ford is making its all-new 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission available across all three Super Duty engine offerings for the new 2020 model. This TorqShift features a wider gear ratio span than the 6-speed and is designed for the harshest towing conditions. The heavy-duty transmission continues to offer class-exclusive live-drive power takeoff, which allows the operator to engage industrial equipment and accessories, such as snowplows, with the truck in motion.

This electronically controlled transmission has selectable drive modes that include normal, tow/haul, eco, slippery, and deep sand and snow. The entire unit is so cleverly engineered that - even with four extra gears - it fits in the same space as the 6-speed and weighs only 3.5 pounds more.

Technology that assists and improves productivity
For 2020, class-exclusive new Pro Trailer Backup Assist makes negotiating even the largest trailers into the tightest of spaces easier than ever before. With hands off the steering wheel, drivers use the Pro Trailer Backup Assist knob to easily steer the trailer via the reverse camera. The truck's Trailer Reverse Guidance system shows trailer angle and direction, and provides steering suggestions to most efficiently direct a trailer backward. Both systems are built to accommodate all trailer styles, including fifth-wheel and gooseneck trailers.

Because today's work is a 24/7 proposition, staying connected is essential. Every new 2020 Super Duty includes FordPass Connect™ embedded 4G LTE modem with Wi-Fi access for up to 10 devices, keeping crews in communication no matter where the job might take them.

Available lane-keeping alert helps you stay between the lines on the road, while the Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage monitors for vehicles in your blind spots - even when towing. Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection aids in avoiding or mitigating collisions with other vehicles and pedestrians. These features are standard on XLT and above Super Duty models. Modern touches include the addition of wireless charging and USB-C ports to power your devices.

Powerful upgrades inside and out
Across the range, an enhanced front-end design allows for optimized cooling and lighting performance under heavy loads. For the first time, all dual-rear-wheel Super Duty trucks are fitted with a uniquely designed high-airflow grille optimized for maximum powertrain cooling.

Super Duty's LED headlamps have a new look with improved performance, while high series trucks feature continuous signature lighting. An improved front bumper and air dam optimize cooling and make using utility hooks easier. A freshened tailgate design, revised taillamps and new rear bumper convey bolder Built Ford Tough style.

Decorative appliqués on the doors and media bin door have been updated on Lariat, while on Platinum edition trucks, these pieces have been updated to Onyx Argento wood. The interior of the Limited model is completely refreshed, with colors updated to Ebony and Highland Tan to provide a refined, modern feel. Limited features authentic materials like genuine leather, a coarse ash wood in black and modern brushed aluminum trim. Crafted details include decorative stitching on the leather-wrapped instrument panel topper, wrapped door armrests, seating and center console lid, and an embroidered Super Duty logo added to the floor mats. A soft headliner in Miko® suede is intended to give the cabin an expansive feel.

Tested to Built Ford Tough standards
The new F-Series Super Duty debuts as the most tested pickup in the company's history. It endured more than 12 million miles of testing for the 2017 model year, which was increased by an additional 7 million miles for 2020 to ensure the new Super Duty can stand up to the rigors the most exacting truck customers demand of it. This torture includes running the truck around the clock under the most extreme loads and through all kinds of environmental conditions using dynos, test tracks and public roads. Because the testing surfaces and durability test tracks are so punishing, many of the miles are run using robot drivers that can handle the abuse better than humans to ensure every F-Series truck is Built Ford Tough.

If you’ve always wanted an easy way to turn your pickup truck into an outdoor movie theater, a new Ford patent involving mounts for a screen, speakers, and projector, proposes just that. Check out this incredibly simple idea.

Titled “Portable entertainment support system for a pickup truck box,” the patent, which Ford filed in Aug. 2017 and which was published earlier this year, actually looks extremely basic. It involves two horizontal, telescoping steel or aluminum arms stretching between, and mounted to, the two inside walls of a truck box, but spaced apart in the fore-aft direction.

To one of the horizontal arms—the one closest to the cab—there’s a telescoping arm attached, which points straight up. And to that vertical arm, there’s a horizontal arm to which a projector screen can be fastened as shown below:



Mounted perpendicularly to the other horizontal arm stretching between the inside walls of the bedside—the one farthest from the cab—are speakers a projector:



Both lower horizontal arms mount to the inside walls of the truck box by hooking to an “interface plate” receptacle like this one:



Here’s how it would look without the video or audio equipment attached:



And here’s how it might look while in use from the top:



In the “background” section of the filing, Ford describes the whole point of all this, writing:

The exact parts shown in this patent, Ford writes, are “merely examples,” and other versions of this idea could look different. This is an important point, because—even though the idea of bed-mounted receptacles for fastening accessories is a fine enough idea—I wouldn’t consider these metal beams holding audio and video equipment particularly elegant.

Celebrity garages can be hit or miss. Not everyone's a car enthusiast, granted, but there's something about getting rich that compels people to fill their driveways with something. That's why you see so many celebs stepping out of identical Lamborghinis and G-Wagens—yawn. And it's why we find ourselves tipping our hat to one Stefani Joanne Angelina Germanotta—aka Lady Gaga—upon realizing that she drives an original 1993 Ford F-150 SVT Lightning.

The Venn diagram of The Drive readers and Lady Gaga fans is likely small, so we'll just note that the pop icon is back in the spotlight this year after starring opposite Bradley Cooper in A Star Is Born and charting her first number one hit song ("Shallow," from the movie) in eight years. More germane is the fact that as one of the best-selling artists in history, she's got an estimated net worth of around $300,000,000.

Three hundred million dollars can buy literally any car in the world a few times over. Lady Gaga, who only got her driver's license in 2016 at age 30, decided to skip the Rolls Royce dealer and instead grab a mint-condition 1993 Ford SVT Lightning. At most, we're talking $30-40,000 for a time-capsule survivor.

For the uninitiated, the SVT Lightning is one of the original factory performance pickup trucks, a lowered F-150 hotted up with suspension upgrades, a 240-horsepower 5.8-liter V-8, and a heavy-duty automatic transmission. Ford built the first run of the SVT Lightning from 1993 to 1995, then brought it back to the tenth-generation F-150 from 1999 to 2004. The original trucks have become something of a cult item since then, and enterprising dealers have been trying to capitalize on that deep-pocketed nostalgia with single-cab special editions designed to evoke the past.

Credit to Lady Gaga for picking such an interesting first car and getting one in such amazing condition. The singer and actress has since been photographed in a few other interesting rides, from a Chevrolet El Camino, to a classic Ford Bronco, to a Mercedes-Benz W123 sedan. She's still got the Lightning, though. Paparazzi sometimes catch her behind the wheel, and it makes the occasional appearance on her Instagram page.

For anybody concerned that the Ford F-150 Raptor isn’t capable enough off-road, the new 2020 Ford Super Duty Tremor with off-road upgrades paired with the new 7.3-liter V8 engine will gladly take your money.

The Super Duty Tremor takes the new F-250 and F-350, gives them more ground clearance with a 2-inch front-end lift, bigger shocks, 35-inch Goodyear Wrangler Duratrac tires, a special new rock-crawling drive mode, and Ford’s new Trail Control off-road cruise control technology. The mission here was to build an off-road truck that beats the Ram Power Wagon with better towing and payload ratings, though we don’t know what those are, yet.

When the new 2020 Super Duty was revealed earlier this year with the new 7.3-liter V8, Ford claimed “best in class” performance without actually listing any horsepower, torque, payload, nor towing figures, so we don’t actually know exactly what kind of performance to expect from either the regular Super Duty or this new Tremor package.

The Ram Power Wagon has a max payload rating of 1,510 pounds and max tow rating of 10,350 pounds. That puts the Ram around the Ford Ranger in payload and comparable to a moderately-equipped F-150 in towing, and Ford is promising the Super Duty can do better. The Tremor package is expected to come in just slightly lower on both marks than a regular Super Duty.

If you don’t want the new 7.3-liter pushrod V8, you can go for the 6.7-liter PowerStroke diesel instead. Though, again, we still don’t have performance figures for that engine, either.

But, the new beefy tires come paired with 18-inch wheels, and the new truck has a ground clearance of 10.8 inches, an approach angle of 31.65 degrees and departure angle of 24.51 degrees, a wading depth of 33 inches, off-road running boards and the skid plates off of the XF4.

The package will be available on the XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum trims of the F-250 and F-350 pickups, though F-250 diesel models require the high-capacity trailer tow package, as well as 4x4 single-rear-wheel SuperCrew pickups with the 6.75-foot bed.

Ford also hasn’t announced a price for the Tremor package yet, either. No numbers! Just off-roading!

Ford’s gonna tease this out like a bigger child who won’t give a cookie to a little kid.

This is cruelty.

With discounts reaching as high as $6,500 this month, now might be the right time to head to your local Ford dealer and place an order for the F-150. Should you wish to wait for the new model, the fourteenth generation of the workhorse is slated to arrive most likely for the 2021 model year with some pretty big changes.

We’ve already seen spy shots of a fully electric prototype out and about testing, but the conventionally powered F-150 will be going through some updates as well. According to the folks over at Ford Authority, the Blue Oval is looking to retire the 5.0-liter Coyote V8 to make room for a brand new, slightly smaller 4.8-liter unit hooked up to the familiar 10-speed automatic transmission.

It doesn’t have a name yet, but what it does have is some interesting output figures if we were to rely on this report. While just about everyone knows the Coyote is good for 395 horsepower and 400 pound-feet (542 Newton-meters) of torque, the new naturally aspirated mill is going to pack a yet-to-be-confirmed 420 hp and 420 lb-ft (569 Nm).

The healthy 25 hp and 20 lb-ft (27 Nm) bump will come along with better fuel efficiency as the 4.8-liter V8 is said to be thriftier than the 5.0-liter unit, which can return as much as 23 mpg highway, 17 mpg city, and 19 mpg combined in the rear-wheel-drive F-150s. These improved power and fuel economy numbers might convince more customers to go for the larger engine, which in the case of the Coyote, has not been a popular choice lately, with Ford having to dial down production at the Essex engine plant in Ontario, Canada due to poor demand.

Until the next-gen truck arrives, Ford might not be done updating the current-generation F-150 as a hot Tremor derivative could be in the works to slot between the FX4 Off-Road Package and the all-conquering Raptor.

Last Saturday, we reported everything we thought we knew about the rumored 4.8L V8 engine supposedly destined for the upcoming next-generation 2021 Ford F-150. Now, new information has come to light that suggests that not only will the 2021 Ford F-150 not receive a new 4.8L V8, but that such an engine was never even in development. Here’s what’s going on.

The original rumor dates back to late 2016, when Reuters reported that Ford was investing $447 million into its engine plant in Windsor, Ontario. The Reuters piece suggested that the fresh cash infusion was needed to update the plant’s existing V8 production lines, along with adding a replacement for the existing Ford 5.0L “Coyote” V8 – namely, a new 4.8L V8 for the F-150. The report also pointed to production of a new engine for use in Ford Super Duty pickups.

Now, Ford Authority has learned that just one of those rumors was true. According to new information, the investment into the plant was actually used to update the 5.0L Coyote with direct fuel injection, as well as to tool the facility for the new 7.3L Godzilla V8 for the F-Series Super Duty.

That means that no new 4.8L V8 engine is headed down the pipeline from Ford.

As is often the case with rumors and speculation about future product, this new contradicts earlier reports that the existing 5.0L Coyote V8 would get tossed in favor of a new, more-power-dense 4.8L V8 unit with the debut of the 2021 Ford F-150.

This obviously comes as good news for fans of the 5.0L Coyote V8. It also leaves us wondering how the powertrain lineup will look like for the next-gen 2021 Ford F-150. That said, the current lineup, consisting of the following six engine choices, remains highly competitive:

• Naturally-aspirated 3.3L V6 gasoline engine making 290 horsepower and 265 pound-feet of torque
• Turbo-charged 2.7L V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine making 325 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque
• Turbo-charged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine making 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque
• Naturally-aspirated 5.0L V8 Coyote gasoline engine making 395 horsepower and 400 pound-feet of torque
• High-Output turbo-charged 3.5L V6 EcoBoost gasoline engine making 450 horsepower and 510 pound-feet of torque
• Turbo-charged 3.0L V6 PowerStroke diesel making 250 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque

If the 5.0L Coyote will stick around, then maybe it will be retuned to make more power and improved fuel economy compared to what’s offered in the current F-150. We could also see the turbo-charged 3.0L V6 EcoBoost engine making an appearance in the F-150. Meanwhile, an all-electric F-150 model has already been confirmed by Ford, but it might not be available at launch. Speaking of which, the all-new F-150 is expected to launch in the 2020 calendar year for the 2021 model year.

To this point, the next-generation Ford F-150 has mostly succeeded in eluding wandering eyes and cameras, only exposing its chiseled front fascia late last week.Likewise, few specifics of the upcoming Blue Oval have been leaked to the public, making it anyone's guess as to how it'll stack up against the recently redesigned Ram 1500 and Chevrolet Silverado. As recent spy shots attained by The Drive reveal, the truck will not only tout a new face but also electrified powertrain options when it launches later this year as discussed previously by Ford.

As the secretive photos show in detail, the new F-150's headlights feature obvious cues that separate it from the generation it replaces. Angular daytime running lights curve around the top and outside of the components' core shape, rather than being housed by the main lens and outlining the entire unit. On the inside, there's a rectangular element that's cut in half by an amber marking light with projectors atop and below it. Notably, the headlight shape is uninterrupted by the grille, a major trait of the current generation that's becoming long in the tooth after six years on the market.

The 2021 F-150's grille is an evolutionary form of the outgoing truck's, but it also bears resemblance to its midsize brethren, the Ranger. Altogether, though, its slender construction helps to shape a lean and more muscular front end. It's bisected by a bar that runs from one headlamp to the other with the Ford logo, of course, plastered proudly in the middle. It's unclear which trim level the photographed truck might be but expect the grille inserts to change between models. This helps distinguish each variant, from the utilitarian XL to the nearly-$70,000 Platinum.

Subtle lines such as a higher hood help construct this new look as well. Blink and you'll miss the front bumper-mounted fog lights, as the camo hides the small cutouts that feature thin DRL strips and define the F-150's appearance during the day and night.

There's not much to glean from the rear of the truck as everything looks fairly standard issue. The taillights are largely unchanged and, from what we can tell, there's no groundbreaking tailgate to rival GMC's six-way MultiPro unit or Ram's swinging barn-door configuration.

When the F-150 prototype was finished road testing in Dearborn, Michigan, our spy photographers report that it was pulled into the same facility where Ford keeps its hybrid and plug-in hybrid models. No visible outlet covers can be seen in the photos, so it's our belief that this truck falls into the former category. This supports former claims that the F-150 will be available with three types of electrified powertrain configurations, including the completely battery-powered EV that's already been teased by the automaker.

Also suspected is a new 4.8-liter V-8 to replace the aging 5.0-liter, though the pickup's range will still be dominated by EcoBoost engines. It's unclear which powertrain configurations will be available featuring hybrid assist, though we wouldn't be surprised if Ford took an approach similar to Ram's by fitting the tech to both V-6 and V-8 models.

The 3.0-liter Powerstroke diesel is also anticipated to return as Chevrolet and Ram now offer compression-ignition-powered half-ton models.

Collectively, the Ford now sports a chiseled face that's decisively less round than the half-ton it currently offers. It's hard to say if the design will be a flop or a slam dunk at this point, though it doesn't look too far departed from the established styling we're used to, save for the headlights and grille. The hybrid options will serve as a formidable buffer between ICE and electric-only pickups, not to mention mark a new era in the F-150's history, and it'll take a major misstep to knock the volume pickup king off its throne.

As America returns to work, Ford reveals its all-new Ford F-150 - part of the F-Series lineup that's been America's choice for getting the job done for 43 consecutive years. The all-new F-150 is purpose-built to be the toughest, most productive F-150 ever and targeted to be the most powerful light-duty full-size pickup truck on the market.

"Since 1948, our hardworking F-Series customers have trusted Ford to help them get the job done," said Jim Farley, Ford's chief operating officer. "F-150 is our flagship, it's 100 percent assembled in America, and we hold ourselves to the highest standard to make sure our customers can get the job done and continue to make a difference in their communities."

The all-new Ford F-150 raises the standard for all light-duty trucks. It targets the most towing, payload, torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup, introduces all-new features to increase customer productivity, has new connected vehicle innovations such as over-the-air updates that help keep F-150 at the forefront of purposeful technology, and an available all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost™ hybrid powertrain with Pro Power Onboard™ - an integrated power generator.

"We see it as our duty to deliver not just what our customers want and need, but what they might have never thought possible," said Craig Schmatz, Ford F-150 chief engineer. "The F-150 will be tougher than ever, and with fully connected over-the-air updates, it opens up a much wider range of potential enhancements - from system upgrades to feature offerings."

Toughest F-150 ever

The all-new Ford F-150 starts with a durable, proven foundation - a fully boxed high-strength steel frame with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy body. Every panel of the distinctive, rugged exterior is redesigned while maintaining its bold and tough signature look, including an updated headlamp design, new power dome hood and wrap-around bumpers. Higher front fenders, a tucked-in midsection and larger-diameter tires pulled out three-quarters of an inch create a stronger, more powerful stance on and off the road.

There are 11 grille options available across the series lineup, all differentiated in their design and all unmistakably F-150, plus new tailgate appliqués. Functional upgrades throughout include available LED headlamps and taillamps, and available full-length extended power running boards with kick switch that provide better truck-side cargo box accessibility.

The all-new Ford F-150 is also the most aerodynamic ever. New active grille shutters, a new automatically deploying active air dam, and new cab and tailgate geometry all work together to reduce drag and improve fuel consumption on every truck.

The interior is completely redesigned to elevate truck owners' experience with style, comfort, utility and technology. Featuring enhanced materials, new color choices and more storage, it is built around the functional needs of truck customers. Every surface has been thoughtfully designed, such as more soil-resistant two-tone seats for XL or the new standard dual glovebox.

F-150 introduces an all-new 12-inch center screen - standard on XLT high series and above - that allows customers to split the screen and control multiple functions simultaneously, including navigation, music or truck features. The landscape design strikes a balance between demands for technology accessibility and the greater convenience of physical buttons. An 8-inch touch screen, standard on XL and XLT standard and mid-series trucks, means every customer gets touch screen functionality and better rearview camera vision. Both screens feature access to the new digital owner's manual, which can help all customers find the information they need more easily, including how-to videos for additional explanation.

An available new 12-inch digital gauge cluster features a large information-on-demand area, along with truck-specific graphics and animations that respond to the all-new Ford F-150's selectable drive modes and can display off-roading data and turn-by-turn navigation.

Most productive F-150 ever

Ford's deep understanding of truck customers informs new features on the all-new F-150 that help take productivity to the next level.

Creating the ultimate durable, anywhere office, Ford F-150's new optional Interior Work Surface is ideal for signing documents, working on a 15-inch laptop or enjoying a meal when parked. It is available in both bench and captain's chair seating configurations on XL to Limited. Knowing many customers prefer a console shifter, Ford has created a stowable unit for F-150, which easily folds into the center console with the push of a button and allows full access to the large work surface when in park.

Class-exclusive Max Recline Seats available on King Ranch, Platinum and Limited models provide ultimate comfort during downtime. Max Recline Seats fold flat to nearly 180 degrees, with the bottom cushion rising to meet the back cushion and the upper back support rotating forward up to 10 degrees for maximum comfort.

Available lockable, fold-flat rear storage adds a vault to the F-150 that extends the width of the rear seats. It's as easy as lifting the bottom cushion of the rear seat, dropping valuables in and locking them away for safe keeping. Great for storing long items like fishing rods or blueprints, it even has a divider to keep gear organized.

Every all-new Ford F-150 comes standard with new cleats mounted to the sides of the tailgate to act as tie-down locations for extra-long items in the bed. New clamp pockets are built in to the tailgate of every truck, so customers can hold materials down for precision work. An available flat Tailgate Work Surface also includes integrated rulers, a mobile device holder, cupholder and pencil holder.

Customers can keep going into the night with exclusive available Zone Lighting. This allows occupants to turn on and off individual sections of exterior lights through the SYNC® 4 screen or remotely with the FordPass app on their phone, so they never have to work, camp or do anything in the dark.

The all-new F-150 is the only light-duty full-size pickup to offer available Trailer Reverse Guidance and Pro Trailer Backup Assist. Trailer Reverse Guidance, made popular on Super Duty, uses the truck's high-resolution cameras to provide multiple views along with helpful graphics that tell drivers which way to turn the steering wheel while backing up. Pro Trailer Backup Assist, which makes backing up a trailer as easy as turning a dial, continues on F-150.

Most powerful in its class

The all-new 3.5-liter PowerBoost full hybrid V6 powertrain is targeted to deliver the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. Available on every trim level from Ford F-150 XL to Limited, the no-compromise PowerBoost system - the only light-duty full-size pickup to offer a full hybrid - adds instant electric torque to Ford's 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6. It is targeting an EPA-estimated range of approximately 700 miles on a single tank of gas and will deliver at least 12,000 pounds of available maximum towing - equivalent to the average weight of 43 NFL linemen.

PowerBoost combines Ford's proven EcoBoost engine and 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission with a 35-kilowatt (47-horsepower) electric motor integrated into the transmission, as well as software calibrated specially for truck use, including drive modes like tow/haul mode to help customers better manage towing heavy trailers.

The electric motor applies regenerative braking energy capture to help recharge the 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The battery is efficiently packaged underneath the truck, leaving the cab and cargo box of PowerBoost F-150 as spacious for passengers and cargo as other comparably equipped F-150 models. The system is capable of sustained battery usage at extreme outside temperatures or under heavy loads.

Power isn't only important under the hood. Available Pro Power Onboard expands Ford F-150's capability by bringing generator levels of exportable power to work sites, camp sites and everyday life. Pro Power Onboard is available with a 2.0-kilowatt output on optional gas engines, while PowerBoost-equipped F-150 comes standard with 2.4 kilowatts of output or an optional 7.2 kilowatts of output. Power is accessible through in-cabin outlets and up to four cargo bed-mounted 120-volt 20-amp outlets, with a 240-volt 30-amp outlet on the 7.2-kilowatt version. The system even provides power on the move to charge tool batteries in between jobs.

Most connected F-150 ever

Ford F-150 represents Ford's next big step in bringing connected vehicles to customers. The all-new F-150 is North America's first full-size pickup with standard over-the-air updates, helping customers' trucks stay at the forefront of purposeful technology. These updates are bumper-to-bumper, and can include all-new functions and additional features throughout the life of the truck. They can support preventative maintenance, reduce repair trips, provide improved performance and ultimately result in more vehicle up-time. The majority of updates will be completed in under two minutes and can be performed at times customers choose, so they won't have to put their lives on hold.

All-new SYNC 4 is standard, helping keep owners connected and make their days more productive with more natural voice control available as well as real-time mapping and customizable information on demand. The technology builds on more than 10 years of SYNC innovation by helping minimize distractions with hands-free voice control as well as core features such as making phone calls and selecting music. With twice the computing power of the previous-generation system, new SYNC 4 can wirelessly connect smartphones without the USB cord for seamless integration of Apple CarPlay™ or Android Auto™ compatibility as well as SYNC AppLink® apps like Waze and Ford+Alexa.

Customers can access more than 10,000 hours of on-demand content, live channels, ad-free music, sports, entertainment, news and personalized recommendations, and they can search for related content with available SiriusXM with 360L satellite and streaming service. The new eight-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen is available starting on Ford F-150 XLT, while the optional 18-speaker B&O Unleashed system with speakers in the headliner and front headrests is available on F-150 Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum, and standard on Limited.

Ford offers complimentary technology including 911 Assist® that automatically alerts emergency responders in the event of an accident, and FordPass, a mobile device app that allows Ford drivers to start or unlock their vehicle from a distance, as well as control new truck-focused features like Zone Lighting, Trailer Theft Alert, Trailer Light Check and Pro Power Onboard.

Driver-assist technologies

All-new F-150 offers the latest driver-assist features as part of Ford Co-Pilot360™ 2.0. More features are now standard on XL, including Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid a possible collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, auto high-beam headlamps and auto on/off headlamps.

F-150 also adds 10 new driver-assist features and is the only pickup to offer Active Drive Assist, which allows for hands-free driving on more than 100,000 miles of divided highways in all 50 states and Canada. Its advanced driver-facing camera tracks head position and driver eye gaze to enable hands-free driving when available. It allows owners on certain sections of pre-mapped, divided highways to drive with their hands off the steering wheel - if they continue to pay attention to the road ahead - granting them an additional level of comfort during long drives. The Active Drive Assist prep kit contains the hardware required for this feature, while the software to enable functionality, expected in the third quarter of the 2021 calendar year, will be delivered by over-the-air update or dealer visit. Separate payment will be required to activate full functionality at that time.

Other new available features include Intersection Assist, which detects oncoming traffic while the driver is attempting a left turn. If there is risk of a collision with an oncoming vehicle, Ford F-150 will apply the brakes to mitigate or avoid it. F-150 is the only light-duty full-size pickup with available Active Park Assist 2.0, which handles all steering, shifting, braking and accelerator controls during a parallel or perpendicular parking maneuver while the driver holds down a button.

Every F-150 is proudly assembled at Ford's Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan, and Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri. The all-new Ford F-150 will be available in fall 2020.

The 2021 Ford F-150 stands as Exhibit A in the case explaining why pickup truck prices are climbing faster than kudzu, using evidence provided by early dealer order guides seen by CarsDirect (here is an order guide without prices). When the automaker launched the top Limited trim in 2016, an F-150 Limited SuperCrew 4x2 started at $60,080 after a $1,195 destination charge. In 2021, the same truck in the same trim starts at $72,520 after paying $1,695 for destination. Minus the shipping fee, that's a difference of $11,940 in five years, as well as being at least $12,000 more than the base MSRPs of the top-trim 1500-series pickups sold by Chevrolet, GMC, and Ram. Compared to the 2020 model, next year's F-150 Limited is $3,090 more expensive. Sending power to the front axle adds $3,425, taking the price up to $75,945. The $2,500 upcharge for the optional PowerBoost Hybrid 3.5-liter V6 and its included onboard generator gets the bottom line to $78,445.

The new version of America's favorite pickup can be had for $30,635, but the kingpin class will have no problem pushing their trucks well into five-figure numbers that start with an 8. As hinted at when CarsDirect came across entry-level pricing, gaps elsewhere at the upper end of the range are similarly high. Starting price for the 2021 F-150 Lariat SuperCab increases $1,945 to $46,890, the King Ranch SuperCrew goes up $3,340 to $58,025, and the Platinum trim makes the biggest jump, rising $3,590 to $60,805.

You won't need to spend that much to get access to marquee new features like the 2-kW Pro Power Onboard generator, a $995 option on any non-hybrid trim with a gas engine. Paying extra for the PowerBoost Hybrid drivetrain gets a 2.4-kW onboard generator said to be good for 85 hours of run-time on a full tank of gas. The electrified drivetrain opens the door to the 7.2-kW generator that can run tools plugged into four 120-volt outlets and one 240-volt outlet in the bed, and can go for 32 hours on a full tank.

However, you will need to spend luxury money to get the Active Drive Assist technology that rolls out as part of an over-the-air update late next year. Active Drive Assist is promised to deliver hands-free driving "on more than 100,000 miles of divided highways in all 50 states and Canada." The standalone option costs $995; however, Active Drive Assist takes a page out of the Cadillac book, in that it can't be had before spending thousands on bundled packages. Ford starts offering the option on the Lariat trim, that Lariat buyer needing a separate package costing $6,920 to acquire the Co-Pilot360 Active 2.0 Prep Package, then needing to buy either the 360-degree camera for $765 or the Tow Technology Package for $880. At minimum, then, it costs $55,570 to get the chance to buy Active Drive Assist. We write "get the chance to buy" because actually downloading Active Drive Assist in the third quarter of 2021 will incur another cost, though Ford hasn't revealed how much. For a $17,000 premium over the aforementioned Lariat, the 2021 F-150 Limited comes with all the features necessary to activate Active Drive Assist.

Ford introduced a new F-150 for the 2021 model year this past summer. It didn’t receive a huge styling update, but don’t let the familiar looks fool you. Ford did a lot of work underneath the sheet metal. That’s exciting, keeping Ford the dominant truck seller, but the new pickup also means the opportunity for new, sportier variants, and a new batch of spy photos appear to show Ford working on precisely that.

No, it’s not the new Raptor. Instead, it’s the new Tremor package for the pickup, which will slot just below the Raptor but above the FX4 in the model lineup. It should offer a similar upgrade in both appearance and performance as to what the F-250 Tremor offers. The photos show the red, partially camouflaged pickup with a raised suspension, unique wheels, and a dual exhaust layout – a first that we’ve seen on the updated F-150.

It doesn’t appear that the camouflage hides any major, Tremor-specific appearance bits, though the truck does look like it wears a unique grille surround. Another indicator that this F-150 is something special is the chunky tires – 275/70 R18s. The biggest upgrade will likely be the suspension lift, which will should improve its ground clearance and fording depth, much like Ford’s upgrades for the F-250 Tremor.

We don’t know which powertrain Ford will pair with the Tremor package, though the 2021 F-150 has no shortage of options, offering a naturally aspirated 3.3-liter V6, two EcoBoost mills – a 2.7- or 3.5-liter V6 – a 5.0-liter V8, a diesel and a hybrid. The Raptor will remain Ford’s top off-road pickup, though we still have questions about which powertrain it’ll use. However, the F-150 Tremor should serve as a nice in-between model for those not wanting the Raptor’s price tag. The F-150 Tremor could arrive as soon as this year, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see Ford push it to the 2022 model year.

The new Ford F-150 Raptor is the latest iteration of Ford's trophy-truck-inspired nameplate. The 2021 model emerges from the far side of Ford's overhaul of its entire F-150 lineup looking on paper like merely an update of last year's truck, but while the changes may be largely evolutionary, their impacts could prove to be revolutionary. The powertrain may largely carry over from 2019, but new features like a completely redesigned, coil-based suspension and 37-inch factory tire option will turn some heads.

"Raptor is the original desert truck. We just took it to another level," said Ali Jammoul, Ford Performance vehicle program director. "The all-new Raptor splices high-speed off-road performance muscle with advanced technology and connectivity that come together in a unique Built Ford Tough way."

By far, the biggest news here is the Raptor's rear suspension, which is now a coil-sprung, five-link setup employing extra-long trailing arms and a Panhard rod along with Fox Live Valve internal-bypass shocks with double the damping capability of the outgoing truck's. The new coil springs should also substantially improve the Raptor's on-road manners, keeping it in line with Ram's 702-horsepower TRX in the ride and handling department, at least.













Ford bases the Raptor on the same fundamental frame as the max-payload variant of the base F-150 (you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about the regular F-150 suspension here), but the Raptor gets unique reinforcements and re-engineering out back to accommodate the coil suspension. Sorry, max-payload F-150 owners, but you won't be swapping in the Raptor's rear setup without some custom fabrication; anything is possible with enough time and money, right?

Thanks to this new setup, total suspension travel now checks in at 14 inches up front and 15 in the rear — up from 13 and 13.9, respectively, for the outgoing truck. That's for Raptors with the standard 35-inch tire setup; the 37-inch option drops those to 13 inches up front and 14.1 inches in the rear.

Like the rear suspension, the 37-inch wheel and tire package is more than just a bolt-on affair. Opting for it will pigeon-hole you into a bed/subframe configuration that was engineered specifically to clear the larger-diameter tires, and it also comes with an even beefier variant of the standard Fox shocks. So, while Ford may be offering the truck with 37s from the factory, that doesn't mean you can just mount 37s (OEM or otherwise) to any old Raptor.

With the standard 35-inchers, you get 12 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 31 degrees, departure angle of 23.9 degrees and a breakover angle of 22.7 degrees. The 37-inch tire buys you another 1.1 inches of ground clearance, a 0.1-degree approach angle improvement, a 1.0-degree departure angle improvement, and a sweet 1.4-degree improvement in breakover angle. The total body lift provided by the 37-inch tires is approximately 1.8 inches.



With that out of the way, let's move on to powertrain. The Raptor gets a standard four-wheel-drive system with an electronic locking rear differential and optional limited-slip up front. As in the rest of the F-150 lineup, the standard transmission is a 10-speed automatic, which is offered here with a one-pedal driving mode similar to that found in many newer EVs.

Frustratingly, Ford is keeping a tight lid on its plans for what lurks beneath the hood of the 2021 Raptor. All we know is that a High Output variant of the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 is returning; both its power and torque figures have yet to be finalized.

Keep in mind, the standard 3.5-liter EcoBoost now produces 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque in a garden-variety F-150. Last time around, there was a 75-horsepower gap between the base and High Output variants of that engine, which makes it safe to assume that this year's Raptor will offer somewhere in the ballpark of 475 horsepower standard, which would be a bump of 25 horses over the old Raptor. For added sportiness, the Raptor gets a new active dual exhaust system (complete with "good neighbor" mode).

A Raptor R will arrive for 2022, but Ford has offered no details at all regarding its powertrain apart from confirming that it will be powered by a V8 in some form. This confirms rumors that Ford will go with a two-engine strategy for the updated Raptor, with the 3.5-liter High Output anchoring the mainstream end of the lineup and, most likely, a 5.2-liter supercharged V8 (lifted from the Mustang Shelby GT500) powering the as-yet-unrevealed R model.

When it came time to tackle the bodywork, Ford turned to one of the Raptor's long-running inspirations: the F-22 fighter jet of the same name. The angular outline of the ultra-wide grille (sorry, that's going to be a tough swap, too, folks) hints at the stealth fighter's gaping intakes, which also inspired the heat extraction vents on the truck's fenders. There's even an available bed graphics package with a pattern designed to mimic the F22's afterburners.

Inside, there are plenty of Raptor-exclusive goodies, starting with its unique steering wheel with contrast-color suede inserts. Like all F-150s, Raptor gets Ford's new Sync 4 infotainment system, which Ford hopes to one day upgrade to allow for trail map downloads via its new over-the-air update system. All of the rest of the F-150's equipment largely carries over, including options like the interior work surface and the 2.0-kilowatt Pro Power On Board generator. Notable exceptions include the fold-flat front seats, the park assist system and the multi-contour seating option (which isn't compatible with the Raptor's more pronounced bolsters).

We expect full packaging and pricing to be announced late this spring. Ford says production should start by the end of Q2 (barring any unforeseen calamities) with the first deliveries starting in late summer.

Two years ago, battery supplier LG Chem filed a lawsuit against SK Innovation over trade secrets theft. The suit requested that SK Innovation doesn’t supply the Ford F-150 Electric and Volkswagen ID.4 with locally-produced battery cells, and the court has ruled in favor of LG Chem.

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According to the International Trade Commission document attached at the end of this story, SK Innovation has been hit by “a limited exclusion order prohibiting the entry of certain batteries, cells, modules, packs, and components thereof.” The order permits the battery division of the third-largest conglomerate in South Korea to import components for domestic production for the F-150 Electric and ID.4 for four and two years, respectively, after which Ford and Volkswagen have to change the supplier.

There is, however, a bit of a catch. President Joe Biden may reverse the ruling in the next two months, and SK Innovation may be given a second chance because the current administration is very fond of electric vehicles.

Now know as LG Energy Solution, the battery division of LG Chem is supplying Tesla, Chevrolet, Hyundai, and Kia at the present moment. SK Innovation, meanwhile, is setting up two factories in Georgia while the competing company operates a joint venture with General Motors in Ohio.

As far as the F-150 Electric is concerned, the Blue Oval will offer rear independent suspension, a dual-motor drivetrain, and more ponies than the all-new Raptor. The Ford Motor Company describes the newcomer as “the most powerful F-150 yet,” which pretty much confirms that we’re looking at more than 500 horsepower and tire-scorching acceleration estimates.