The current Ford F-150 pickup is one of the biggest-selling vehicles of all time, so we expect evolutionary updates to the upcoming 2021 model, even though Ford may market it as entirely new. To the surprise of precisely no one, a solid rear axle is still employed as the third member, although two different versions are in use in photos shown here. We expect the new F-150 to make its debut in 2020 as a 2021 model, possibly with a 4.8-liter V-8 replacing the current 5.0-liter V-8. They call it camouflage for a reason, and Ford's liberal application of chic wavy-dot-patterned vinyl wrap to these F-150 mules surely lives up to the name. To the surprise of precisely no one, the new F-150 is still a three-box-design truck with the engine up front, the people in the middle, and the payload and empty beer cans in the back, just as God and Henry Ford intended. Due to the large initial expenditure to create the current F-150's aluminum body, we figure this generation will be an evolution rather than a wholesale redo. The camo is comprehensive, and you can clearly see where Ford created a mask for the trademark style-line notch located along the driver's doorsill, where it meets the rearview mirror. The kick-up on the trailing edge of the cab roof is almost certainly a mule-only fabrication. View Photos KGP Photography Car and Driver Rolling stock is the primary cosmetic differentiator between the two trucks shown here. The low-budget version is wearing pedestrian wheels, while the ostensibly upmarket mule is wearing 22-inch rollers. But looking closely reveals rear differentials of the two trucks are of a different shape; the small-wheel mule truck's diff is more ovoid, lacking the beefy gussets of the other which resembles the unit currently in use on the Raptor. The bumpers are identical, as are the trailer-harness hookups, exhaust pipes, and trailer hitches. To try to shed some light on the discrepancy, we ran the numbers with and without the prefixes from the tag on the lighter-duty unit—reading either "XCW43909" or "XCW48909," depending the quality of your monitor—through a Ford parts search and an internet search engine, but neither returned a hit. This means little on its own and these could very likely be current production units, but considering the long-running rumor of a new Ford 4.8-liter V-8 arriving in 2020 or 2021 to replace the current 5.0-liter V-8, we shouldn't rule out additional powertrain changes under the skin. View Photos KGP Photography Car and Driver After first seeing it mentioned in a report by Reuters in late 2016 detailing Ford's deal with the UAW, we haven't heard much additional information about the 4.8-liter V-8's development. We also expect to see a plug-in-hybrid variant of the new F-150, and independent rear suspension has also been rumored. What is sure to change with the F-150 update is the interior. Fiat Chrysler put all truckmakers on notice with the release of the plush 2018 Ram 1500, and its competitors are scrambling to bring their interiors up to the same level of refinement and detail. On that point, the entire interior of the F-150 mule with the larger wheels is covered up, including the spot in the dash where a large screen of the type to compete with the monster in the new Ram would reside. The truck wars never sleep, and neither do our spy photographers. This is likely just the first round of next-generation Ford F-150 pickup spy photos we'll see before its official debut. View Photos KGP Photography Car and Driver This content is imported from {embed-name}. You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site. This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io<doc-sep>Ford plans to unveil its next-generation F-150 in 2020. Photo courtesy of Ford. Ford plans to reveal its next-generation F-150 pickup in 2020 as it plans to continue to dominate the U.S. pickup truck market, outgoing CFO Bob Shanks said at an investor event, reports the Detroit News. "That is a segment that we are not taking our foot off the pedal whatsoever," Shanks told attendees of the 2019 Goldman Sachs Industrials Conference in New York on Wednesday. Ford's F-Series lineup continues to be the best-selling pickup line in the U.S. General Motors with its Chevrolet and GMC pickups and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles with its Ram lineup are second and third. Competition in the segment continues at a near-fever pitch with new models arriving in 2019 in the 3/4- and 1-ton segments of large pickups and chassis cab trucks. Several smaller trucks have also arrived this year, including the Ford Ranger and Jeep Gladiator. Originally posted on Automotive Fleet<doc-sep>It’s no secret that Ford’s best-selling F-150 is a tremendously important vehicle for the brand. And because the truck has dominated the segment for so long, it comes with little surprise that the next iteration of the F-150 – likely to debut as a 2021 model year – appears to sport an evolutionary look. Our spy photographers caught the next-gen F-150 running around the streets of Michigan wearing more camo than a cast member of Duck Dynasty. The truck’s full-body outfit admittedly makes it hard to spot specific details, although, some things are discernable. Gallery: 2021 Ford F-150 Spy Shots 20 Photos Look closely to find an additional piece of camo added to the driver’s door, which is used to cover up what appears to be a dip in the door sill – a character trait that exists on the current F-150, too. This test vehicle wears a set of larger wheels (presumably 22-inch) that are likely to grace the upper trim levels in the family, such as the Platinum. And if you’re wondering what the scoop at the back of the cab is, our best guess is that it’s a roof-mounted spoiler put in place to improve fuel economy. Though, it could also be a piece of equipment used exclusively on test vehicles. While we’ve yet to capture any clear shots of the interior, we expect Ford to take a better swipe at Ram’s class-leading 12.0-inch infotainment display. As of now, no other competitor has a setup that rivals the Ram’s system. The new Explorer’s vertical screen may preview what’s to come with the next F-150, but we can’t be sure. An all-electric F-150, as well as a hybrid model, are also currently in development. In fact, we’ve recently seen the electric pickup in development testing, using the current gen’s exterior shell. It’s not confirmed yet, as to whether or not these models will debut with the next generation of the truck. Source: Automedia<doc-sep>
Spy Shots: 2021 Ford F-150 Next Generation Truck The 2021 Ford F-150 likely will be a new generation, an evolution of the current version. (Photo: Brian Williams/Trucks.com) Ford Motor Co. is starting to test the next generation of its F-150 pickup truck on public roads near its corporate headquarters. Spy photographers spotted a prototype of the 2021 F-150 on the streets of Dearborn, Mich., this week. Expect the light-duty truck to debut next year. The 2021 Ford F-150 will be the most significant upgrade since the introduction of the aluminum-bodied 2015 model. Though it is a new generation, the 2021 F-150 will mostly be an evolution of the current version rather than a dramatic departure. It is expected to offer new styling and engine options among other changes. HEAVY CAMOUFLAGE The vehicle in photos is heavily camouflaged, with its exterior body panels in disguise. But it’s obvious it’s a crew cab, the most popular configuration among light-duty pickups, with running boards and a short bed. Engine choices in the 2021 F-150 likely will include updated versions of the turbocharged EcoBoost engines in current models. And the 3-liter turbodiesel V6 introduced in 2018 could carry over. Ford could replace its 5-liter V8 with a more efficient 4.8-liter V8. Also, the automaker is developing hybrid, plug-in hybrid and fully electric versions of the F-150. The F-150 is the light-duty member of Ford’s F-Series line of full-size trucks that make up the top-selling vehicle in the U.S. market. Sales of F-Series trucks rose 1.4 percent to 909,000 vehicles in 2018. BIGGEST CHUNK OF SALES Analysts estimate that light-duty trucks like the F-150 account for about 70 percent of full-size truck sales for Ford, General Motors and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles. Heavy-duty models such as the F-250 and F-350 Super Duty make up the other 30 percent. GM and FCA introduced new versions of their light-duty trucks in 2018. The Chevrolet Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500 use lightweight materials to shave up to 450 pounds of curb weight compared with previous models. The Ram 1500 features dazzling interior design and advanced safety technology. The 2021 F-150 will be Ford’s first attempt to counter the advancements made by its top rivals.