The 2015 Ford F-150 has been the focus of a lot of attention and scrutiny due to its new lightweight aluminum body, but engineers did a lot of work to improve the aerodynamics of America’s best-selling vehicle as well.
Traditionally, pickup trucks haven’t done a whole lot when it comes to wind tunnel testing and aerodynamic enhancements (performance trucks like the Ford Lightning being an exception, I should note). Designers were also tasked with keeping the F-150’s “bold” and “confident” squared-off edges that make it immediately identifiable as a Ford. “The truck’s sharp, boxy shape gives it a tough appearance, but actually the key to the design is aerodynamic efficiency – getting the most out of the shape,” said Brad Richards, Ford F-150 exterior design manager. “We made F-150 look tough and capable, while also reducing wind resistance.”
How’d they do it? The devil is in the details, like a flush-mounted windshield that eliminates the need for airflow-disturbing mouldings and and tailgate top designed to act more like a spoiler, smoothing out airflow as it leaves the back end. The cargo box has been designed to be narrower than the front cab, there’s an air channel beneath the front headlamps, and specially-tapered taillights that reduces rear turbulence.
Ford isn’t quoting specific drag coefficient or fuel economy numbers yet though, so it’s hard to guess just how much this smoothing-out of the 2015 F-150 really helped things. It certainly helps that Ford has shaved up to 700 pounds off of some F-150 models, but will it be enough to battle the other contenders for the truck MPG crown? It’s been said that the first automaker to build a genuine 30 MPG pickup will “win” the market for some time, and the Big Three are fast approaching those numbers.
Can Ford’s aerodynamic enhancements and aluminum body help it come out come out on top?
Source: Gas 2.
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