2015 Ford F-150 Aerodynamic Improvements

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.

GM Prepares Aluminum Pickups For 2018

In a move that surprises no one, GM has signed a deal with a major aluminum supplier to begin transitioning its trucks to mostly-aluminum bodies in 2018. This move will help GM save a lot of weight, while improving fuel economy, showcasing another way the U.S. truck market is shifting in ways once thought impossible.

GM has signed supply contracts with Alcoa Inc., the world’s third-largest supplier of aluminum. the same company that Ford signed to provide aluminum for the 2015 F-150. The Blue Oval’s big announcement has sent automakers the world over scrambling to secure aluminum supply contracts of their own, as it isn’t only pickups that will utilize the lighter metal. Aluminum prices have spiked as a result.

The 5-star safety-rated Tesla Model S, for example, is constructed almost entirely out of aluminum, and the 2015 Ford Mustang utilizes aluminum hood and fenders to help shave off 300 lbs. compared to the 2014 model. Other automakers, like BMW, are turning to carbon fiber in order to shave weight and improve fuel economy, though it’s also even more expensive than aluminum.

Meanwhile, U.S. Steel is investing millions of dollars in developing newer, lighter steel alloys designed to compete with aluminum. 15% of U.S. Steel’s business comes from the auto industry, and this rush on aluminum could put a big dent in profits. That leaves only Chrysler left to make the move to a lighter alloy, and I guarantee talks are already underway.

GM’s aluminum trucks won’t be ready until late 2018 at the soonest though, leaving Ford several years to cut its teeth on this new method of making trucks. This is one of those situations where being first isn’t necessarily for the best though.

Source: Reuters

2015 Ford F-150 Could Get 2.7 Liter EcoBoost V6

In little more than a week, Ford will reveal the face and technology of the 2015 Ford F-150. We already know that extensive use of aluminum will drop as much as 700 pounds off of the curb weight of the new full-size pickup, and now rumor has it that Ford could also debut an all-new, 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 engine, nicknamed “Nano”, alongside the next-gen truck.

Up until now, the Ford F-150 has had the choice of a 3.7 liter V6, a 5.0 liter V8, and of course the 3.5 liter EcoBoost V6 that promises both performance and fuel economy. Going forward though, fuel economy has become perhaps the most important factor of new vehicles, and Ford is utilizing all sorts of methods of maximize MPGs in the 2015 F150. But while the new F-150 may use active grille and wheel shutters, as seen on the Ford Atlas concept, the buzz around a new EcoBoost “Nano” V6 is even more exciting.

Rumored to make 320 horsepower and 375 ft-lbs of torque, this downsized V6 would slot in nicely between the base 3.7 liter V6 and the larger 5.0 engine. This would likely be the premium fuel economy offerings, and if rumors of massive weight loss are true, the smaller V6 engine could possibly push fuel economy over 30 MPG highway for the 2015 F-150 when combined with other fuel-saving technologies. That said, it will probably still have side mirrors instead of aerodynamic cameras.

The key to the new V6 engine is a twin-scroll turbocharger setup, which uses a smaller turbo at low RPMs that spools up quickly. At higher speeds, a larger turbocharger takes over, allowing for a seamless transition that keeps the power band consistent. With rivals like Chrysler and GM overtaking Ford in the pickup fuel economy race, the Blue Oval is in desperate need of a new contender to entice commercial and private owners that Ford is still the dominant force in full-size trucks.

We’ll find out in a few more days if the 2015 Ford F-150 has what it takes to stay on top in a time of increasing fuel economy and consumer expectations.

Source: Ford Authority

2015 Ford F-150 May Trade “Ford Tough” for Better Fuel Economy

Ford has asked suppliers at Alcoa to provide a sample of “military grade aluminum” for display alongside the new 2015 Ford F-150 set to be unveiled at January’s Detroit Auto Show. It’s believed that the move is meant to put a tough “spin” on Ford’s extensive use of aluminum, rather than steel, in the construction of the new pickup, and keep the marketing message away from any comparisons to pop cans.

Ford’s switch to aluminum in the new 2015 Ford F-150 is part of a recent Ford trend to tech-ify its trucks, improve the fuel economy of its truck fleet, and is a logical next step in the modernization of Ford’s truck line-up, along with better suspension, more isolated cabins, and the addition of the Ecoboost 6-cylinder turbo engines which supplanted the old-tech “Modular” V8 engines in Ford’s half-ton trucks a few years ago.

Whether or not the public will “buy” the idea of tough aluminum, though, remains to be seen. “This is already the most significant debut at the auto show,” explained Joe Langley, a production analyst for industry research firm IHS Automotive in a telephone interview with Bloomberg a few days ago. “Everybody’s going to be dissecting (the 2015 Ford F-150) for a long time, especially since Ford will be taking such a big gamble.”

What do you think, dear readers? Is Ford going to have a hard road ahead when it comes to selling aluminum trucks? Will the average truck buyer even realize their new truck is aluminum? Will the weight and fuel economy benefits of aluminum lure fleet customers away from GM and Mercedes-Benz? Let us know what you think in the comments, below.

Source | Photos: Bloomberg, via Jalopnik.

Ford starts production of CNG-ready F-150

The Ford Motor Company is getting competitive on the compressed natural gas (CNG) truck front. While Detroit counterparts General Motors and Chrysler have a head start, Ford has begun manufacturing its 2014 F-150 – the first CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup – and the CNG engine will be extended to eight of its commercial vehicles.

Ford is now building the CNG F-150 at its Kansas City, MO, factory with a 3.7-liter, V6 engine with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that can run on either natural gas or gasoline. When it comes equipped with a bi-fuel CNG/LPG engine package, the F-150 can travel more than 750 miles on the combined gasoline and CNG tanks.

Along with the half-ton pickup and bi-fuel vehicle options, Ford has an ambitious goal of offering eight of its commercial vehicles with the natural gas option. Ford's full line of commercial trucks and vans will be covered – Transit Connect, E-Series van, F-Series Super Duty pickups, F-650 medium duty, and more. Details are in the press release below.

First CNG-Capable 2014 Ford F-150 Rolls Off the Line in Kansas City

• 2014 Ford F-150 launches with gaseous-fuel prep option on the 3.7-liter V6 engine; it will be able to run on compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas
• By next summer, Ford will offer eight vehicles that can run on clean-burning, inexpensive CNG/LPG and puts the company on track to sell more than 15,000 such vehicles this year
• Nearly 20 states now offer or soon will offer tax incentives or rebates for CNG-converted vehicles
• Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers offer a wide variety of CNG options to help customers find the most cost-effective solution to their diverse operating needs

Ford, America's truck leader, began production of the 2014 F-150 with the ability to run on compressed natural gas, making Ford the only manufacturer with an available CNG/LPG-capable half-ton pickup.

The 2014 Ford F-150 with 3.7-liter V6 engine is available with a factory-installed, gaseous-fuel prep package that includes hardened valves, valve seats, and pistons and rings so it can operate on either natural gas or gasoline through separate fuel systems.

When equipped with a bi-fuel CNG/LPG engine package, the 3.7-liter V6 F-150 is capable of achieving more than 750 miles on combined tanks of gasoline and CNG, depending on the tank sizes selected. The Ford F-150 with 3.7-liter V6 has an EPA-estimated rating of 23 mpg on the highway and 19 mpg combined.

"Businesses and fleet customers have been asking Ford to make F-150 available with CNG capability to take advantage of the fuel's low price and clean emissions," said Jon Coleman, Ford fleet sustainability and technology manager.

CNG/LPG engine prep from the factory costs $315 before the customer chooses a Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifier to supply fuel tanks, fuel lines and unique fuel injectors. Upfits run approximately $6,000 to $9,500 depending on fuel tank capacity.

CNG conversions can provide stability against fluctuating fuel prices as well as lower vehicle operating costs for fleet administrators. CNG sells for an average of $2.10 per gallon of gasoline equivalent, and is as low as $1 in some parts of the country, representing a significant savings over unleaded regular fuel. The national average for unleaded regular fuel is $3.29 per gallon.

Customers also can accelerate the payback period by taking advantage of a growing number of state incentives. Nearly 20 states – including Oklahoma, Texas, Pennsylvania and Florida – offer or soon will provide tax incentives or rebates for CNG-converted vehicles. In Florida, fleet customers will be eligible for rebates of up to $25,000 beginning in 2014.

Most CNG options
By next summer, Ford will offer eight commercial vehicles with a gaseous-prep option, a number no other full-line manufacturer can match:

• Transit Connect van and wagon
• Transit van, wagon, cutaway and chassis cab
• E-Series van, wagon, cutaway and stripped chassis
• F-Series Super Duty pickup and F-350 chassis cab
• F-Series Super Duty chassis cab (F-450, F-550)
• F-650 medium-duty truck
• F53 and F59 stripped chassis
• 2014 F-150 light-duty pickup

Customers are enthusiastically responding to this powerful array of choices. Since reintroducing the option in 2009, Ford has established itself as the leader in CNG/LPG engine sales. The company is on pace to sell more than 15,000 CNG/LPG-prepped vehicles this year, an increase of more than 25 percent from 2012.

AT&T is one of many Ford fleet customers that are finding value in CNG. The communications giant recently purchased 650 F-350 chassis cabs with the CNG-prep option.

"We're almost halfway to our company-wide goal of deploying 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles by the end of 2018," said Jerome Webber, AT&T vice president, global fleet operations. "Vehicles such as CNG F-350s from Ford have helped us avoid purchasing 7.7 million gallons of gasoline over the past five years while reducing our fleet's emissions."

Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers
Ford has established a rigorous qualification program for alternative-fuel vehicle modifiers. The QVM program is intended to help modifiers achieve greater levels of customer satisfaction and product acceptance through the manufacture of high-quality vehicles.

Ford Qualified Vehicle Modifiers offer a wide variety of CNG/LPG options to help customers find the most cost-effective solution to their diverse operating needs. Ford maintains the engine and powertrain limited warranty (five years or 60,000 miles); the modifier is responsible for the system component warranty.

Compressed natural gas
Compressed natural gas is mainly composed of methane. It is stored and distributed in hard containers at a pressure of approximately 3,600 psi. About 85 percent of the CNG used in the United States is produced domestically.

Another benefit of this alternative fuel includes cleaner emissions. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency certifies CNG usage can result in up to 30 percent less greenhouse gas emissions.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 180,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company