Last year, Ford introduced the 2010 Ford 150 SFE (superior fuel-economy), a competitor to GM’s Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra XFE models.

The SFE package was made available on the F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4X2 trucks. With some significant modifications, the F-150 SFE returns a fuel-economy of 15/21 mpg (city/highway).

Well, Ford is now dropping the SFE label from two-wheel-drive F-150 pickups equipped with the 4.6-liter V8 ext year, but is keeping the fuel-economy rating of 15/21 mpg. Ford said it introduced the SFE package last year because fuel-economy concerns moved from tenth to third place among half-ton pickup buyers.

Ford says there are many differences between GM’S XFE models and its SFE models including its ability to tow 500 pounds more, it doesn’t require a tonneau cover to improve aerodynamics and doesn’t require the buyer to remove the front chin spoiler if they decide to go off-roading.

2009 Ford F-150 SFE:

- By: The Daily Auto Editor

Source: PickupTrucks.com

Another day and another award for the new 2009 Ford F-150. This time Kelly Blue Book has awarded the new F-150 the winner of the 2009 Brand Image Award for the “Most Rugged Truck Brand.”

The 2009 Brand Image Awards are based on data collected from more than 12,000 shoppers on kbb.com that are in the market for a new vehicle. Ford will be putting KBB’s 2009 Brand Image Award on the shelf right next to the 2009 North American Truck of the Year, 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year and “Truck of Texas” by the Texas Auto Writers.

“We have more trucks on the road with 250,000 miles or more than any other manufacturer,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Marketing manager. “That”s one of the proof points of Built Ford Tough, and it certainly speaks to the ruggedness, durability and quality of the vehicle”

While delivering more horsepower and fuel-economy the Ford F-150 has a class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,031 pounds.

2009 Ford F-150:

The 2009 Ford F-150 has also earned the following honors and awards:

    – 2009 North American Truck of the Year
    – America”s safest full-size pickup with 5-star frontal and 5-star side-impact crash-test ratings, the highest possible scores, in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests.
    – Motor Trend 2009 Truck of the Year Award™
    – Top honors as “Truck of Texas” as well as “Best Luxury Pickup” for the 2009 F-150 King Ranch from Texas Auto Writers Association
    – Finalist 2009 North American Truck of the Year (with 2009 Ford Flex for Car of the Year)
    – Playboy”s 2009 Best Pickup
    – 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicle from Kelley Blue Book”s kbb.com
    – “Best Overall Half-Ton Pickup” from PickupTrucks.com
    – “Automotive Excellence” award in the Workhorse Category from Popular Mechanics
    – Detroit Free Press Truck of the Year
    – Detroit News Truck of the Year
    – “Top Safety Pick” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety for its standard safety technology: Safety Canopy side curtain air bags and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control
    – “Residual Value” award from Automotive Leasing Guide (ALG) for retaining the highest percentage of its original price among 2009 full-size light duty pickups at the end of a conventional three-year lease, based on ALG projections
    – Motor Trend’s Truck Trend Top 5 Trucks from Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for 2009 Ford F-150 Heavy Duty DeWalt Contractor Concept
    – “Accessory-Friendly Truck” Design Award from SEMA
    – F-Series is best selling vehicle in America for 27 consecutive years; best-selling truck for 32 consecutive years

- By: Omar Rana

The folks at PickupTrucks.com are reporting that Ford has major changes coming up for the Ford F-150 powertrain lineup in 2010. Currently, the Ford F-150 offers an entry-level 4.6L V8 or a range-topping 5.4L V8.

According to PickupTrucks.com sources, by late 2010, the standard engine will be a 5.0L V8 codenamed “coyote.” It will return an estimated 400-hp with a maximum torque of 400 lb-ft with fuel-economy being comparable to the current 5.4L V8. The range-topper will be a 3.5L V6 turbocharged EcoBoost with direct-injection. Instead of producing 355-hp like it does in the Lincoln MKS, MKT and the Ford Flex it will be uprated to make 400-hp and a peak torque of 400 lb-ft. Fuel-economy is expected to come in at 23 mpg on the highway.

The two new engines will replace the 4.6L and 5.4L V8. The 6.8L V8 Boss engine will be limited to the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor and the special-edition Super Duty line.

Source: PickupTrucks.com

The 2009 Hyundai Genesis left the Dodge Challenger, Nissan GT-R and the Honda Fit in the dust when it accepted the award for the 2009 North American Car of the Year. The 2009 Ford F-150 once again reestablished its territory taking the 2009 North American Truck of the Year award.

The Genesis also beat the 2009 Ford Flex and the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI. In the final round of voting, the F-150 beat the Dodge Ram and the Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC.

The Hyundai Genesis has been the spotlight recently after outscoring four-rivals to become Consumer Reports top-rated “Upscale Sedan.”

Last year’s winners were the Chevrolet Malibu for the Car of the Year, and the Mazda CX-9 was Truck of the Year.

After raking up the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year of award, the 2009 Ford F-150 today reestablished its leadership in the pickup segment after the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety awarded it 5-stars in crash-test ratings.

Ford says that the 2009 Ford F-150 features more standard safety features than any other half-ton truck. Standard safety features include Safety Canopy side curtain air bags, AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control) and a patented “K-bag” seat-mounted air bag.

The 2009 Ford F-150 recently earned 5-star frontal and 5-star side impact crash-test ratings – the highest possible score from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Ford said that it has more U.S. government 5-star safety-rated vehicles than any other brand and more IIHS “Top Safety Picks” than any other automaker. Just another reason to go Drive One.

2009 Ford F-150:

FoMoCo and Hyundai are celebrating after the list of finalists for the 2009 North American Car and Truck of the Year awards were revealed today. The list includes two vehicles from Ford including the Ford Flex and the 2009 Ford F-150. Hyundai’s Genesis sedan also made the list – making it the first time a Korean automaker has ever made the list.

Other cars on the list include the Volkswagen Jetta TDI, Mercedes-Benz ML 320 BlueTec and the 2009 Dodge Ram pickup.

Last year, the Chevrolet Malibu won the car of the year award and the Mazda CX-9 took the honors for the top truck.

More than 50 vehicles were considered this year. Winners will be announced Jan. 11 at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show.

Here are the vehicles on which the jurors voted:

    2009 North American Car of the Year nominees
    Audi A4
    BMW 1 Series
    Cadillac CTS-V
    Dodge Challenger
    Ford Flex
    Honda Fit
    Hyundai Genesis
    Jaguar XF
    Lincoln MKS
    Mazda 6
    Nissan GT-R
    Pontiac G8
    Toyota Venza
    Volkswagen Jetta TDI
2009 North American Truck of the Year nominees

    BMW X6
    Chevrolet Traverse
    Dodge Ram
    Ford F-150
    Honda Pilot
    Infiniti FX35/50
    Kia Borrego
    Mercedes-Benz ML320 BlueTEC
    Nissan Murano
    Subaru Forester
    Volkswagen Tiguan

Source: Yahoo

No big surprise here (well at least to us) - Motor Trend has awarded the 2009 Ford F-150 the 2009 Motor Trend Truck of the Year. While rivals Dodge Ram and Toyota Tundra are really strong pickups, the rules have been changed this time around.

“Fuel prices skyrocketed, the economy tanked, consumer confidence evaporated, and folks who once chose half-ton pickups more for their Marlboro-Man-image-enhancing qualities than for their towing or hauling capabilities are shopping elsewhere,” says Frank Markus of Motor Trend.

As Motor Trend points out, the Ford F-150 has a payload capacity of up to 3,030 pounds and tow ratings of up to 11,300 pounds. Even with those figures, the new 6-speed automatic, a lighter body, more aerodynamic cab offer a 12 percent boost (in the 5.4L variant) in fuel-economy.

Ford claims it sells more of its half-ton pickups to work and commercial customers than its competitors, and the company predicts this segment will grow to 45 percent of F-150 sales. We’re obsessed with the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor.

Toyota’s Tundra took the award in 2008.

2009 Ford F-150:

Source: Motor Trend

The 2009 Ford F-150 was named the Best Redesigned Vehicle for 2009 by Kelley Blue Book. The kbb.com editors said that the 2009 Ford F-150 is more powerful, efficient, refined and tech-laden than its predecessor.

Ford’s F-Series received the award about 5 years ago making it the first repeat winner after taking the title for 2009. The top 10 list also included the Acura TL, Mazda6, Honda Fit and Audi A4 (you can see the full list after the jump).

In judging the cars, editors at kbb.com take into account the exterior and interior styling, technology, comfort and convenience features, performance/capability, driving dynamics, safety, fuel economy, overall refinement and value.

Click through for the Top 10 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicles list.

kbb.com’s 2009 Best Redesigned Vehicles:

Acura TL
Acura TSX
Audi A4
Dodge Ram
Ford F-150
Honda Fit
Mazda6
Nissan Maxima
Nissan Murano
Subaru Forester

2009 Ford F-150:

After killing two shifts of the F-150 five months ago, FoMoCo is restoring a shift of the pickup production at its Kansas City, Mo. assembly plant. According to spokeswoman Angie Kozleski, Ford will restore the shift in January and will schedule overtime production of the F-150 this week.

The move comes as Ford executives felt there was “stronger-than-expected” demand for the redesigned 2009 Ford F-150, reports Automotive News.

The 2009 Ford F-150 went on sale this fall and while sales were down 25.4 percent in November compared to the same period an year ago, it was the number one selling vehicle last month beating out the Chevrolet Silverado and Toyota Camry. Ford says that it expects F-Series sales to return to previous levels. The company sold 473,933 F-Series units during the first 11 months of 2008. It sold 939,463 units of the truck in 2004.

2009 Ford F-150:

The new 2009 Ford F-150 is the latest Ford vehicle to earn the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s Top Safety Pick award. That gives FoMoCo, including vehicles from Volvo, a total of 16 IIHS Top Safety Pick ratings, furthering itself from Honda’s second place total of 13.

The 2009 Ford F-150 received the highest rating for front and side impact tests in evaluation of the seats and head restraints. Standard safety offerings include Ford’s AdvanceTrac with RSC (Roll Stability Control). It also features a Safety Canopy side-curtain air bag rollover protection system and the new “K-bag,” a front seat dual-chamber side air bag, which is designed to help protect the rib cage from excessive crash forces during a side impact.

Other Ford vehicles that made the list include the Mercury Mariner, Mazda Tribute, and the Ford Escape – all which share the same underpinnings.

2009 Ford F-150:

FoMoCo announced today that it will restore the third crew at its Dearborn Truck Plant in January. The move will add 1,000 workers to the plant’s production team of the 2009 Ford F-150.

“Ford is the truck leader and F-150 truck buyers expect and demand the best truck on the market,” said Ford Motor Company CEO and President Alan Mulally, who thanked plant employees for a successful launch of the new F-150. “The employees at Dearborn Truck Plant are delivering a truck that is “˜Built Ford Tough” with an unwavering focus on quality and craftsmanship.”

Ford has invested $148 million in tooling and equipment upgrades at Dearborn Truck Plant to build the new F-150. The new and improved 2009 Ford F-150 is on sale now with prices starting at $20,345.

Click through for more high-res images.

FoMoCo has announced the pricing on the 2009 Ford F-150 which arrives in showrooms next month. Yesterday Ford announced that the 4.3L V8 4×2 F-150 is capable of returning an estimated fuel-economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with the new SFE package.

Pricing starts at $21,320 for the base XL Regular Cab and runs all the way up to $44,860 for the fully-loaded F-150 Platinum series.

You can check out more all the pricing in a detailed chart after the jump along with the press release.

Click through for high-res images.

Press Release:

NEW 2009 FORD F-150: MOST PICKUP FOR THE MONEY

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 18, 2008 ““ After setting the standard for capability, reliability and quality for 31 years, Ford is now offering even more truck for the money with the new 2009 Ford F-150 ““ including unsurpassed fuel economy.

“No other truck offers more capability with better fuel economy than the 2009 Ford F-150,” said Matt O’Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer.  “When the truck hits showrooms in October, truck buyers will see real value.”

The 2009 Ford F-150, now with more standard safety equipment than any other half-ton pickup, offers comparable or better pricing at all three cab configurations versus the competition. The F-150 Lariat SuperCrew, for example, starts at $35,820*, more than $5,000 less than a comparably equipped 2009 Dodge Ram.

The 2009 Ford F-150 also offers more value compared with the current F-150.  With the XLT SuperCrew, customers receive $1,000 more value versus the previous model with the addition of $1,600 in standard equipment for 2009.

The base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for Ford’s workhorse, the XL Regular Cab, starts at $21,320*; and the popular XLT SuperCab starts at $29,160*.

“With the new F-150, we are offering customers more capability and choice with better-equipped trucks at a greater value than the competition,” said Mark Grueber, Ford F-150 marketing manager.  “With the high-volume XLT series, we are able to offer more towing capability, hauling capacity, more standard safety features, industry-exclusive Easy Fuel™ and V-8 power at a starting price of more than a $1,000 less than a comparably equipped competitive truck.”

All 2009 Ford F-150 pickups are equipped with more standard safety features than any other half-ton truck on the market and Ford anticipates that the new F-150 will achieve NHTSA 5-star rating and IIHS “Best Pick.”  Ford F-150 safety features include:

    – AdvaceTrac® with RSC®
    – Trailer Sway Control
    – Anti Lock Breaking System
    – Safety Canopy® side curtain air bags with roll-fold technology for enhanced head protection in rollovers and side impacts
    – Front seat-mounted side air bags with patented K-shape design
    – Personal Safety System®
    – SOS post-crash alert system and new seats and restraints

The Ford F-150 also offers the industry-exclusive Easy Fuel™ capless fuel filler, V-8 power across the lineup and unsurpassed fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with the new SFE package.

Ford announced today that it is improving the fuel-efficieny on its new 2009 Ford F-150 with significant miles-per-gallon improvements across the F-150 lineup. The 2009 Ford F-150 will go on sales next month with an 8 percent improvement in fuel-economy across the entire lineup – in some cases as high as 12 percent.

Ford is also introducing a new addition to the F-150 lineup with the 2009 F-150 SFE (superior fuel-economy). The SFE package is available on the F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4X2 trucks. Power comes from a 4.3L V8 engine returning a fuel-economy of 15/21 mpg (city/highway).

The Ford F-150 SFE package will cost nothing on the XLT SuperCrew pickups with the chrome package but will cost will cost $1,095 when ordered on a XL SuperCrew pickups with the decor package.

Click through for the high-res gallery and press release.

2009 Ford F-150 SFE:

Press Release:

2009 FORD F-150 UNSURPASSED IN FUEL ECONOMY, CAPABILITY

EARBORN, Mich., Sept. 18, 2008 ““ America’s best-selling pickup, the Ford F-Series, is raising the bar once again ““ this time with unsurpassed fuel efficiency on the new 2009 F-150, thanks to significant miles per gallon improvement across the entire F-150 lineup.

On sale in October, the new F-150 offers fuel economy that has improved an average of 8 percent across the entire lineup as a result of a wide-range of engineering enhancements.  The fuel economy gains reach as high as 12 percent versus the prior model year on F-150 models equipped with the high-volume 3-valve, 5.4-liter V-8 engine.  At the same time, the new F-150 delivers class-leading towing capability of 11,300 pounds and hauling capacity of 3,030 pounds ““ a combination no other competitor can match.

In addition, Ford is announcing the introduction of the new F-150 SFE “superior fuel economy” edition delivering up to 21 miles per gallon on the highway while still providing 7,500 pounds of towing capability ““ fuel economy that is unsurpassed in the full-size pickup segment.

“Ford has committed to have the best or equal to the best fuel economy with every new product we introduce, and we are delivering with the new F-150,” said Matt O’Leary, Ford F-150 chief engineer.  “Fuel economy has moved from 10th to third place among pickup buyers’ top purchase considerations ““ right behind durability and value.  The new F-150 delivers on all three as the industry leader.”

F-150 SFE

The new SFE package will be available on F-150 SuperCrew XL and XLT 4X2 vehicles with 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 engines and 5.5-foot beds.  The SFE pickup will achieve 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway.

The SFE package trucks also feature a new fuel-efficient six-speed automatic transmission, a 3.15:1 rear axle and 18-inch chrome clad aluminum wheels with low rolling resistance P265/60R18 all-season tires.

“Earning the trust of so many truck customers during the past 31 years has taught us a lot about what they want and value from their F-150,” O’Leary said.  “In the past, there was a tradeoff ““ more fuel economy meant less capability and vice versa.  With the new F-150, we didn’t accept tradeoffs.  We delivered capability and fuel economy.”

The SFE package will be a no-cost option on XLT SuperCrew pickups with the chrome package and will cost $1,095 when ordered on XL SuperCrew pickups with the decor package.

Fuel Economy throughout the Lineup

The 8 percent improvement in fuel economy across the entire lineup of V-8 F-150s is the result of using lightweight ultra-high-strength steel to lighten the truck up to 100 pounds versus the current model and aerodynamic refinements.

The new F-150 is now best-in-class for aerodynamics.  The new F-150 SuperCrew 4X2 with a 5.5-foot box has the lowest coefficient of drag ““ 0.403 ““ in the segment.  That’s 6 percent lower than a comparable 2008 F-150.

Key aero improvements for the new F-150 include:

    – A new chamfered shape to the rear of the cab, which incorporated the center-high-mount stop lamp.  This shape helps direct aerodynamic wake over the pickup box efficiently.
    – The top of the tailgate, which angles outward to create a bold lip.  This wider surface at the top of the tailgate works with the cab chamfering to direct airflow over the box efficiently.
    – The front bumper valence and spoiler design, which has been improved to better manage airflow underneath the truck without compromising off-roading.

In addition, as part of the fuel economy improvements, Ford’s powertrain team delivered technology upgrades to make the F-150 powertrains more efficient.

The new six-speed automatic transmission offers a wider gear ratio span than four-speed transmissions, allowing engineers the flexibility to have responsiveness in low gears and better fuel economy in the taller gears.  The new double-overdrive gearbox is designed to contribute a 4 to 6 percent fuel economy improvement.

Both the 5.4-liter and 4.6-liter 3-valve V-8 engines utilize open valve injection.  This unique feature improves the air/fuel charge conditions in the combustion chamber, allowing greater spark advance at higher loads and engine speeds.  This delivers increased horsepower during towing and higher rpm operations, lower emissions and more efficient use of fuel.

The F-150 also regulates gas consumption by using aggressive deceleration fuel shut-off.   The fuel shut-off is automatic and requires no unusual actions from the driver.  When the driver releases the accelerator pedal, the system temporarily turns off the fuel.  The flow of fuel seamlessly resumes when the truck reaches a low speed or the driver accelerates again.

To prevent engine hesitation normally associated with fuel interruption, Ford’s powertrain team developed proprietary software to integrate the technology with the F-150′s powertrains.

The new 2009 Ford F-150 can be ordered in nearly 10 million combinations of trim series, colors, engines, body styles and options. That may sound like a lot but the 2008 F-150 could be ordered in billions of different combinations. Imagine deciding the perfect truck for you with all those choices.

FoMoCo said it has reduced the complexity of ordering a 2009 F-150 by more than 90 percent. FoMoCo feels that will sales of the F-150 easily hitting 400,000 units annually, it can still meet demand by cutting back on the possible combinations.

Ford basically decided to cut back on unpopular items, creating new packages of popular one and by offering more standard features.

The 2009 Lincoln MKS is available with about 300 combinations while the 2010 Ford Focus will have 150 combinations. Ford says most cars will now have fewer than 1,000 combinations.

2009 Ford F-150:

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)