New Ford F-150 Aquires Accolades

I guess ugly wins awards. I don't under why this way too big, ugly, re-skin with anemic engines is winning anything. The truck is nothing more than an automotive appliance...from Americas biggest automotive appliance manufacturer.

@P71 No, you've got it backwards. It LOOKS like a reskin, but is in fact completely new under the skin. Ford has the unfortunate habit of doing great things to the mechanicals of their trucks but deciding to drape very similar sheetmetal over them. (witness the Expedition, and now the F150)

Looking at an '08 and an '09 F150 side by side in person the details of the new design really do stand out. The new grills (especially the chrome ones on the XLT, Lariat, and Platinum) give the truck a lot more presence, and the inegrated tailgate spoiler/chrome bezeled tail lights give make it instantly recognizable from the back (some seem to hate it, but that chrome taillight treatment is one of my favorite current Ford design cues). As far as under the skin goes the heavily revised frame is stronger, stiffer, and makes use of modern techniques like hydroforming and modern ultra-high strength steel to save weight. The through-welded cross-members have been readjusted to give the back section of SuperCrew models a completely flat load floor. The cabin is much more well isolated from wind, road, and engine noise. The transmissions have gone from 4 speeds to 6 across the board (except for the base 2V V8, which still makes more power with the same fuel efficiency as the outgoing V6). The exhaust system has been recalibrated for less back pressure. Trailer sway control is standard on every truck, as is traction control with roll stability control. Yes, the heavy duty leaf springs can give it a slightly bumpy ride when the bed is empty, so if you are buying a truck for the smoothest ride with an unladen bed, check out the new '09 Dodge Ram. Also, while the engines are not the most powerful on the market, the 5.4 liter with 310-320hp and 365-390lb/ft (depending on regular gas or E85) of torque is by no means anemic, and is more than enough to hustle the truck to 60 in around 8 seconds, as well as to tow over 11,000 lbs. The midrange 3V 4.6 liter with 292hp and 320lb/ft which also gets up to 21 highway mpg feels plenty strong as well. Yes, a Tundra beats it in a drag race, so if you plan to buy a truck for unmodified drag racing, check out a Tundra. When it comes down to it though, Ford is doing what everyone praises the Japanese companies for doing - taking its core product and continually refining it and making it better in response to what the market wants.

It's okay for the writer to bash the domestic auto companies but if one responds in it's defense, your comment will not be published. I don't expect this comment to get published, either.