SPY PICS: Ford F-150 hybrid takes shape
All change for America’s top-selling vehicle as redesigned 2020 Ford F Series looms with hybrid, PHEV and EV techNorth America’s favourite new vehicle, the Ford F Series, is not only in line for replacement this year but also the adoption of hybrid technology to minimise its substantial environmental footprint.
These spy photographs, snapped recently in the USA near Ford’s hybrid/PHEV facility in Dearborn, Michigan, are said to be of a new petrol-electric Ford F-150 based around the upcoming 4.8-litre V8 to replace the current 5.0-litre (familiar with the Ford Mustang).
The first ever Ford F-150 hybrid is expected to hit the US market early in 2021, where the F-150 has been the biggest-selling truck since 1982.
Although there are no visual clues to identify it as a hybrid, the disguised F-150’s appearance close to Ford’s hybrid facility is pretty certain confirmation.
The regular hybrid is set to be followed by a plug-in hybrid (PHEV) version and a full-electric (EV) F-150, helped along with input from Michigan-based start-up EV company Rivian (in which Ford recently invested $US500 million).
On the electric front, Ford has already released video of a prototype pulling a 450-tonne train. Ford has yet to reveal any technical information on the forthcoming F-150 EV – other than to say that it will arrive following the launch of the hybrid version that’s due in 2020.
For now, the all-new 2021 Ford F-150 will bring new chassis, powertrain, technology and design upgrades, the latter including new stacked headlights, a raised bonnet and a grille inspired by the Aussie-designed Ranger ute.
Changes are expected to be more pronounced in the cabin, where insiders tell us to expect a switch to fully digitised instruments, along with a bigger infotainment screen and an upgrade in trim materials to give up-spec variants a more refined overall look.
Word is the new Ford F-150 will appear as a 2021 model in the US during the second half of this year, following a preview at the Detroit motor show in June.
Sources suggest the hybrid F-150 will launch in the US early next year – possibly alongside a Raptor variant complete (like the Australian Ranger Raptor) with a coil-spring rear-end in place of the regular leaf-spring layout.
The hybrid F-150 should sell alongside regular versions powered by Ford EcoBoost petrol engines and the existing 3.0-litre V6 turbo-diesel.
Ford Australia has made no secret of its desire to sell the F-150 in Australia, where various local converters continue to offer a range of F Series pick-up models.
But at this stage it remains unclear whether the new Ford F-150 (let alone the hybrid version) will join the Mustang in becoming a global model.
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