2009 Ford F-150
Picking up where it left off
ROMEO, Michigan — Ford’s F-150 defines the company in the same iconic way that VW’s Beetle or Porsche’s 911 do.
So, a new one is a big deal. More accurately, given these economic times and Ford’s corporate cash flow, a rethought F-150 needs to be closer to a grand slam than a mere home run.
After some rigorous and highly-entertaining testing at the company’s 4,000-acre proving grounds here, I can tell you that it is.
The 2009 is the best F-150 ever, by a Michigan mile. In my view it sets new standards for light-duty trucks. But let’s wear our economics hats a moment longer.
The money mess (and high oil prices) in the U.S. that has been slapping around your RRSP account put truck sales south of the border into a tail-spin this summer. But in Canada, not so much; and frankly, vive la différence. In fact, Ford of Canada had steady and encouraging truck sales this year. And as gasoline prices come down (!) to properly match the new price of oil those sales will keep going up.
The Americans have seen full-size truck sales come back to February levels as their gas has moderated in price. So there was optimism here about the latest F-150, and there should be.
Ford chose to let media loose in the new truck with an almost unprecedented array of competitors’ vehicles in the mix for real-life comparison. It really is the best way to assess capability.
Matchups were apples-to-apples in terms of engine size and transmissions. The Chev Silverados, Dodge Rams and Toyota Tundras were all current models. Keep in mind that these situations change as new offerings come out, but this is now and the bar just got raised.
Trucks were run back-to-back over punishing, pummelling test strips of rock-covered concrete; hurled briskly around slalom courses of cones while carrying a common heavy payload; and driven on a four km-long up and downhill asphalt road course hauling 7,500 lb. trailers.
I will not get into specifics of how competitors’ trucks fared, as this was after all a Ford-run event, but it was clear that the new F-150 had the muscle and moxy to be declared the winner in all the tests.
The tasks chosen were particularly relevant because a high percentage of truck owners tow, carry heavy loads or do both. There was also a Ford-only off-road course that was pretty impressive.
You may have seen Ford’s latest TV ads and be familiar with the look of the new truck (thankfully media were not asked to sing the ‘Hi ho, Hi ho, it’s off to work we go’ jingle and no dwarfs were damaged in the execution of the tests).
The new F has a bold, handsome square-lined front that will be instantly recognised as fresh without upsetting those buyers who—like many GMC, Chev and Ram owners—will never consider anything else.
All-new interiors run from functional but attractive in the cheaper versions to the hide and wood luxury of the King Ranch and range-topping Platinum levels. Whether your choice of footwear has steel toes or pointy ostrich leather ones, you’ll feel at home.
The biggest advance for Ford is a new six-speed automatic transmission that provides a taller top gear for economical highway cruising and short initial gearing for off the line power. This was outstanding in the towing tests, as was the slick integrated trailer brake controller, and the transmission’s tow/haul mode kept power in the sweet spot.
Engine sizes have not been tampered with for 2009, so Ford offers an improved 5.4-litre V8 and 4.6-litre V8 in original two-valve form or a new three-valve mode. This multi-valve unit, designated SFE (for Superior Fuel Economy) is a no-cost option on Canada’s big-selling F-150 SuperCrew XLT 4x2. It gives reduced towing capacity of 7,500 lbs but better fuel economy.
The six-speed tranny is standard with the 5.4 and the three-valve 4.6 SFE. The entry-level two-valve 4.6 keeps a four-speed automatic. There will no longer be a 4.2-litre V6, nor any manual transmissions.
The 5.4-litre F-150 will tow a class-leading 11,300 lbs (5,126 kg) and haul 3,030 lbs (1,374 kg).
Bottom line: if you don’t tow mega-trailers (and 7,500 lbs is a pretty decent lump) the SFE engine will give a creditable 9.6 L/100 km on the highway.
Across the range, fuel economy is up by an average of eight percent with the big 5.4 V8 showing gains of 12% thanks to the six-speed box and other changes, notably a fuel shut-off feature under aggressive deceleration and better aerodynamics.
Elsewhere, the chassis and cab are stronger and more rigid, rear leaf springs are wider, and insulation from wind and road noise is noticeably improved.
Seats are all new, and the cab’s rear floor is completely flat for handier interior loading. Rear seats swing up with one-hand operation.
The step built into the tailgate is beyond useful; it’s essential. Ditto for the step on the side of the box.
Standard equipment now includes the corporate AdvanceTrac anti-yaw, roll and oversteer system with two gyroscopic sensors; trailer sway control to keep everything going in the right direction; a multitude of airbags and of course ABS.
It would take a book to detail all configurations and options of the F-150 range, as you might expect from a lineup that starts at $24,199 and tops out at a whopping $54,699 Lariat Platinum.
Summary:
Strong Points
Weak Points
- - much improved all round
- - Canada might love a turbodiesel if one were available
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