Best Cars

Saturday 3 April 2010

Ford F-150 (2009)

Overview:

The 2009 Ford F-150 is redesigned, gaining power, passenger room, and numerous new features. A 248-hp 4.6-liter V8 replaces a 202-hp V6 as the base engine and comes with a 4-speed automatic transmission. A 292-hp version of the 4.6 and a 310-hp 5.4 V8 are also available, both matched to a 6-speed automatic. The 5.4-liter V8 produces 320 hp when running on E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Available are rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel drive that cannot be left engaged on dry pavement but includes low-range gearing for off-roading. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Three cab styles are again offered: regular cab, which deletes its former rear access doors; SuperCab extended cab, with rear-hinged back doors that don't open independently of the fronts; and SuperCrew crew cab, which has four conventional doors and gains six inches in length, mostly benefiting rear-seat legroom. Cargo beds include 5.5-, 6.5- and 8-foot Styleside beds and a 6.5-ft Flareside bed. Seven trim levels are offered: base XL, sporty STX, off-road-oriented FX4, midlevel XLT, uplevel King Ranch and Lariat, and new line-topping Platinum. Rumored for later in the 2009 model year is the Raptor, an off-road-oriented model powered by a 6.2-liter V8. Newly available features include a hideaway side step for access to the pickup bed, a tailgate step, a retractable cable lock to secure items in the bed, and a capless fuel filler. New electronic devices include Ford's Sync voice-activated cell phone and MP3 player control system, a voice-activated navigation system that includes real-time traffic information, a rearview camera, a built-in dashboard computer with available printer, a tool inventory system, and a vehicle tracking device for fleet users. Also new is an SFE (Superior Fuel Economy) package for 2WD models with the 292-hp 4.6 V8 and 6-speed automatic transmission. The package includes low-rolling-resistance tires and a different axle ratio for a 1-mpg increase in the EPA highway fuel economy rating. Maximum payload capacity is 3030 pounds on regular cabs, 2650 on SuperCabs, and 1760 on CrewCabs. Maximum towing capacity is 11,300 pounds on all models. A choice of three improved V8 engines are offered, all of which deliver better fuel economy. They include: a 5.4-liter, 3-valve Triton V8, 4.6-liter, 3-valve V8, and a 4.6-liter, 2-valve V8. Diesel and EcoBoost gas turbo direct injection engines are planned for F-150 in 2010 as well. Customers have a choice of four- and six-speed automatics.

Performance/Specifications:

Chassis

Front suspension: Independent double-wishbone with coil-over shock and stamped control arm.
Rear suspension: Leaf spring/solid axle.
Front and rear shocks: Heavy-duty gas-pressurized.
Brakes Power 4-wheel: anti-lock disc.
Steering: Power.

Engine