MagicMtnDan
FRF Addict
Rumors that look to be coming true:
* Lots more aluminum to be used in the next generation 2015 F150.
* 10-speed automatic transmission!
Ford’s next F-150 is a seminal vehicle for the brand, and not the least because it’s the bestselling vehicle in the U.S., period. But as Automotive News reports, launching the 2015 F-150 could be tricky thanks to its more aluminum-intensive construction. We already knew the F-150 was getting some of lightweight, expensive metal to cut weight—but AN also indicates the truck could be very aluminum-y.
Automotive News bases its assessment of the F-150—which essentially concludes the rig’s entire body might be made from aluminum—on rumors surrounding Ford’s Detroit show stand. (We had assumed that at the very least, the Ford would get an aluminum hood, doors, roof, or tailgate.) Apparently, Ford has ordered up a bunch of aluminum from Alcoa for its display area at the Detroit; AN takes this to mean the F-150′s aluminum mix could be quite impressive. This could explain Ford’s having already delayed the new F-150 up to 10 weeks thanks to a few aluminum-related kinks in its manufacturing process. That kind of setback seems appropriate for a lot of aluminum content, less so for a single body panel.
If the F-150 were to arrive sporting an all-aluminum body, it would mark a huge step forward in the pickup-truck segment. AN reckons Ford could shave a few hundred pounds of weight and possibly drop in the new 10-speed automatic it’s working on to push the F-150 toward 30-mpg highway fuel economy. We’ll have to wait and see, but we’re certainly intrigued, especially if the truck also looks like last year’s handsome Atlas concept.
Link: 2015 Ford F-150 Might Have More Aluminum In It Than Originally Expected
---------- Post added at 12:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------
CHECK OUT THE INTERIOR OF THE NEXT GEN RAPTOR!!!
Our friends at KGP just sent us these shots of the next-generation Ford F-150. This time they were able to get close enough to shoot a few interior shots — much to the dismay of the test driver. Here's what they told us.
Two Trim Levels Revealed
"We shot two separate F-150 prototypes, revealing two trim levels and dashboard configurations. While there are still portions of the new F-Series interior that are still a mystery, we have exposed a few details of the trucks' controls and button interfaces. It's likely that some elements revealed here don't represent the final materials, but the design, layout and configurations of the screens and buttons should be what's expected to be revealed at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit."
Atlas Concept Interior Traits
"Elements of Ford's Atlas concept truck can be seen on the interior design of the 2015 F-150. Starting with the prototype's instrument binnacle, we see a similarly shaped angular hood over the gauge cluster. The prototype's instrument hood also has places for contrasting trim on its outside edges, which appears to be an exact match for the chrome-edged instrument hood found on the Atlas concept.
"The F-150 prototypes also have a center-stack design that shows Atlas influences, with new, vertical air vents and similar screen placements. The prototype F-150 looks like it might have some dash-top storage. The layout of the central tunnel on the production F-150 and the Atlas concept are broadly similar, with the gear selector on the left and two cupholders on the right. The production truck actually gets a little more design detail, with chrome edging defining the two areas."
Uplevel Sync With MyFord Touch Layout
"The first interior that we spied shows a more upmarket trim level outfitted with the 8-inch central touch-screen display. Prominent knobs for volume and tune flank the upper cluster of buttons, which consist of two simple rows of numbered presets (1-6), which sandwich the media and skip controls. Two more big dials control the temp and dual functions for passenger comfort. We also see what appears to be a revised take on the rotary electric transfer case selector to shift between the various drive modes."
Midlevel Sync With MyFord Touch Layout
"Also revealed: Another prototype was caught with a midlevel trim setup, eschewing the 8-inch touch-screen in favor of a smaller (likely 4.2-inch) screen. This prototype reveals the Sync with MyFord setup, offering simpler infotainment options, while still clearly a step up from a base AM/FM stereo in base WT trim. The prototype captured here appears to do away with the shapelier button design that surrounds the 4.2-inch screen on the current truck. Instead, the 2015 MyFord Touch setup has two rectangular blocks of buttons flanking the smaller screen — source controls on the left (music, radio, CD, Sirius, media, phone) and a numbered keypad on the right. The two tiers of buttons that reside below the screen are similar, but simplified versions of the setup visible on the layout."
Link: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/12/spied-2015-ford-f-150-interiors.html
* Lots more aluminum to be used in the next generation 2015 F150.
* 10-speed automatic transmission!
Ford’s next F-150 is a seminal vehicle for the brand, and not the least because it’s the bestselling vehicle in the U.S., period. But as Automotive News reports, launching the 2015 F-150 could be tricky thanks to its more aluminum-intensive construction. We already knew the F-150 was getting some of lightweight, expensive metal to cut weight—but AN also indicates the truck could be very aluminum-y.
Automotive News bases its assessment of the F-150—which essentially concludes the rig’s entire body might be made from aluminum—on rumors surrounding Ford’s Detroit show stand. (We had assumed that at the very least, the Ford would get an aluminum hood, doors, roof, or tailgate.) Apparently, Ford has ordered up a bunch of aluminum from Alcoa for its display area at the Detroit; AN takes this to mean the F-150′s aluminum mix could be quite impressive. This could explain Ford’s having already delayed the new F-150 up to 10 weeks thanks to a few aluminum-related kinks in its manufacturing process. That kind of setback seems appropriate for a lot of aluminum content, less so for a single body panel.
If the F-150 were to arrive sporting an all-aluminum body, it would mark a huge step forward in the pickup-truck segment. AN reckons Ford could shave a few hundred pounds of weight and possibly drop in the new 10-speed automatic it’s working on to push the F-150 toward 30-mpg highway fuel economy. We’ll have to wait and see, but we’re certainly intrigued, especially if the truck also looks like last year’s handsome Atlas concept.
Link: 2015 Ford F-150 Might Have More Aluminum In It Than Originally Expected
---------- Post added at 12:15 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:13 PM ----------
CHECK OUT THE INTERIOR OF THE NEXT GEN RAPTOR!!!
Our friends at KGP just sent us these shots of the next-generation Ford F-150. This time they were able to get close enough to shoot a few interior shots — much to the dismay of the test driver. Here's what they told us.
Two Trim Levels Revealed
"We shot two separate F-150 prototypes, revealing two trim levels and dashboard configurations. While there are still portions of the new F-Series interior that are still a mystery, we have exposed a few details of the trucks' controls and button interfaces. It's likely that some elements revealed here don't represent the final materials, but the design, layout and configurations of the screens and buttons should be what's expected to be revealed at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit."
Atlas Concept Interior Traits
"Elements of Ford's Atlas concept truck can be seen on the interior design of the 2015 F-150. Starting with the prototype's instrument binnacle, we see a similarly shaped angular hood over the gauge cluster. The prototype's instrument hood also has places for contrasting trim on its outside edges, which appears to be an exact match for the chrome-edged instrument hood found on the Atlas concept.
"The F-150 prototypes also have a center-stack design that shows Atlas influences, with new, vertical air vents and similar screen placements. The prototype F-150 looks like it might have some dash-top storage. The layout of the central tunnel on the production F-150 and the Atlas concept are broadly similar, with the gear selector on the left and two cupholders on the right. The production truck actually gets a little more design detail, with chrome edging defining the two areas."
Uplevel Sync With MyFord Touch Layout
"The first interior that we spied shows a more upmarket trim level outfitted with the 8-inch central touch-screen display. Prominent knobs for volume and tune flank the upper cluster of buttons, which consist of two simple rows of numbered presets (1-6), which sandwich the media and skip controls. Two more big dials control the temp and dual functions for passenger comfort. We also see what appears to be a revised take on the rotary electric transfer case selector to shift between the various drive modes."
Midlevel Sync With MyFord Touch Layout
"Also revealed: Another prototype was caught with a midlevel trim setup, eschewing the 8-inch touch-screen in favor of a smaller (likely 4.2-inch) screen. This prototype reveals the Sync with MyFord setup, offering simpler infotainment options, while still clearly a step up from a base AM/FM stereo in base WT trim. The prototype captured here appears to do away with the shapelier button design that surrounds the 4.2-inch screen on the current truck. Instead, the 2015 MyFord Touch setup has two rectangular blocks of buttons flanking the smaller screen — source controls on the left (music, radio, CD, Sirius, media, phone) and a numbered keypad on the right. The two tiers of buttons that reside below the screen are similar, but simplified versions of the setup visible on the layout."
Link: http://news.pickuptrucks.com/2013/12/spied-2015-ford-f-150-interiors.html
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