Turbo, Diesel, V8 or Hybrid: The New 2021 Ford F-150 Truck Goes Heavy on Tech
While Ford has been getting a lot of attention with interesting new vehicles like the Mustang Mach E electric and the upcoming 2021 Bronco, no vehicle is more important for Ford than its F-150 pickup truck.
Consistently sitting at the top of America's sales charts, it's a big deal when Ford introduces a new F-150, and the just-announced 2021 model looks to take the level of available tech and powertrain options to an entirely new level.
As with the outgoing F-150, the 2021 uses what Ford calls "a fully-boxed, high-strength steel frame with a high-strength, military-grade, aluminum-alloy body."
Tech Options
Inside, it's not surprising that the new F-150 comes loaded with tech options, including all of Ford's latest driver assistance features, SYNC 4 infotainment—and taking a page from Tesla's book, it will also have over-the-air vehicle updates.
When it comes to a truck design, few elements are more talked about the front grille and Ford promises no less than 11 different grille options for the new truck "all unmistakably F-150."
Engine Options
It's under the hood though, where the 2021 F-150 brings a massive list of new engine options. Things start out with a naturally aspirated 3.3 liter V6 along with two different twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6s, and the traditional 5.0 liter V8.
It gets even more interesting with an available 3.0 liter PowerStroke turbodiesel engine and for the first time a 3.5 liter "PowerBoost" hybrid V6 which uses both turbocharging and a 47 hp electric motor.
Final horsepower and torque ratings for all of the engines have yet to be released, but Ford says the PowerBoost engine is "targeted to have the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup with at least 12,000 pounds of maximum available towing capacity." Even more impressive is the claimed 700 mile range of the F-150 Hybrid.
All engine options will come mated to a ten-speed automatic transmission, and it goes without saying that both two and four-wheel-drive will be available across the line.
On-Board Generator?
For those who will depend on their F-150 for work or for weekend adventures, an available on-board generator will also be a desirable option to provide power whenever and wherever needed.
Every time a company comes out with a new version of a bread and butter product like the Ford F-150, it's always a challenge to deliver important new features while remaining true to what's made the vehicle so successful in the first place.
And with the 2021 F-150 it's looking like Ford has done a great job walking that line. We'll know more when the new truck arrives at dealerships in the future.
And speaking of the future, let's not forget that development continues on an all-electric F-150 that will add even another choice for Ford truck buyers.
