Ford is intensely proud of building America’s top selling truck for 40 consecutive years but insists it isn’t about to rest on its laurels.
So for the 2017 North American International Auto Show it is showing off some changes that it’s preparing to make to the company’s 2018 F-150 pickup truck, which has routinely outsold its competitors for the past four decades.
Todd Eckert, marketing manager for the F-150, noted that Ford has a long-history of innovation with the Ford F-150 and the innovation continues with the unveiling of the 2018 truck.
“It’s all about continuous improvement,” said Eckert despite the major changes introduced when the all-aluminum F-150 first appeared in 2015.
“We like to keep things fresh in the showroom,” said Gordon Platto, chief designer for the F-150.
The changes include the addition of 3.0-liter diesel engine to range of powertrains offered in the F-150, which will be augmented for 2018 with the expanded use of the 10-speed transmission available in all but the base F-150. In addition, a stop-start system, which helps boost fuel economy by shutting down the engine when the truck comes to a complete stop at a traffic light or stop sign.
But Ford also changed the exterior of the new F-150 and allow customers to customize their vehicles by choosing one of seven different grilles. Each of the grilles is different but emphasizes the truck’s rugged capabilities.
Platto said the new grilles are important because they will set apart each of Ford’s truck lines by providing them with a distinct look. Grilles and the front end are the principal way that trucks are set apart and the new grilles in each of their seven iterations re-enforce the image of toughness.
From XL to top-of-the-line Limited, all Ford F-150 models receive new grilles, headlamps and bumpers that create a visually wider and more planted stance and maximum differentiation between the series. On the Sport Package-equipped Lariat F-150, the signature twin bars are painted body color for a custom athletic appearance.
Further enhancing its “milled from a block of high-strength, military-grade, and aluminum alloy” look, the F-150 will have six all-new wheel designs, ranging from 17 inches to 22 inches in diameter for 2018.
A new sculpted tailgate with deeper accent form and stamped “F-150” are flanked by new tail lamp designs. For further style differentiation, a tailgate applique adds a horizontal element to King Ranch, Platinum and Limited versions, Platto said.
F-150 also brings two new seating trim colors – Dark Marsala for F-150 Platinum, while top-of-the-line F-150 Limited offers a Navy Pier environment. New trim offerings including carbon fiber appearance appliques on F-150 XLT Sport and Lariat Sport models, while the famed F-150 King Ranch features new Kingsville appointed seats are also part of the package of change Ford has planned for the 2018 model year.
Read more of the original article at The Detroit Bureau.