The 2021 Ford F-150 Could Look a Lot Different Than You’re Used To
The Ford F-150 is America’s truck of choice. It’s synonymous with baseball and apple pie and has been among the best-selling vehicles in the United States for more than four decades. Since the release of the 13th generation in 2015, there have been 4 million F-Series trucks purchased. The new 2021 Ford F-150 is expected to be released soon, and it could look a lot different than you’re used to.
The history of the Ford F-150
The first F-Series truck was introduced in 1948. Over the years, the popular vehicle underwent many changes to keep up with technological advancements in the industry. In the late ’50s, the truck was modernized, and a style was developed that remained in effect for the next 20 years.
In 1965, Ford replaced the front suspension with Twin-I-Beam construction, allowing the front wheels to rotate independently. It wasn’t until the ’80s that the Ford F-150 received its first major overhaul. The look and feel of the entire vehicle were upgraded, and amenities such as power windows were introduced.
The 10th generation of the Ford F-150 revealed a more streamlined appearance and provided a more comfortable ride because of the independent suspension system. In 2009, the three-bar front grille was introduced, and a lighter chassis greatly improved towing capacity. The V8 engine became standard, and all F-150 trucks were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.
In 2018, the 13th generation of the Ford F-150 was named the MotorTrend truck of the year. There have been no major changes since that time due to the truck’s massive success.
The upcoming redesign of the 2021 Ford F-150
In 2015, the 13th generation of the Ford F-150 underwent a huge overhaul. The steel body panels were replaced with aluminum, requiring significant changes to the production line. This reduced the weight by 750 pounds, allowing for improved fuel efficiency. This time around, the changes won’t be quite as drastic.
The 14th generation redesign of the 2021 F-150 won’t offer any earth-shattering modifications, but there will still be changes nonetheless. The newly redesigned truck appears to have the same shape, but the front grille will be sleeker with a single crossbar. The new headlights feature a wrap-around LED bar with newly designed running lights. The interior trim has been revamped to compete with higher-end vehicles. An impressive infotainment display appears to be much larger, and it is rumored that the F-150 will now have a more luxurious and comfortable interior for both the driver and passengers to enjoy.
There will be minimal changes to the engines, with a 5.0-liter still being the mainstay option. Fuel economy is expected to remain the same, and a 10-speed automatic transmission will become standard on all models. In the spirit of keeping it green, Ford plans to unveil a hybrid electric Ford F-150 model with a powertrain that will work as a generator to power electronics.
There are even rumors that the 14th generation will eventually put the power of the V8 Mustang Shelby GT500 engine under the hood of the F-150 Raptor, which will feature a diamond mesh grille. Now that’s a redesign to get excited about.
The arrival of the redesigned model
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, all automobile manufacturing plants are closed. Ford is now focusing its efforts on producing much-needed medical supplies for the healthcare industry. This shift has delayed the arrival of the highly-anticipated 2021 Ford F-150, which was scheduled to debut in June 2020.
A new release date has yet to be determined, and it’s impossible to know at this point when the truck will be available for sale at dealerships. Best estimates are set for October, but that will depend on what happens in Michigan in the coming months.
