Hello all. I attended a marketing research study in Houston tonight based on the new F150. This was actually the second of two studies but I won't bore you with all those details. I'll just get straight to the goods.
First of all, I don't have pictures or information based on motor or drive train specifics. All cell phones were taken up before you were able to enter the area where the truck was being studied so that pictures couldn't be had. All motor and transmission information was withheld for obvious reasons....people like me in their study groups who like to share information on the internet. Therefore, I can offer nothing more than a comprehensive visual inspection.
From my perspective....the list of pros:

1) Finally...a light duty crew cab truck from Ford that five adults can sit comfortably in.
2) The rear seats were at about a 7 degree negative angle which kept your butt in its intended position during normal breaking procedures. I scored this as a major plus.
3) The knee room and leg room in the rear seat were exemplary, as was the storage space underneath them when the seats bottoms were folded up. Nice, FLAT storage.
4) The gauge cluster was a thing of beauty. They were gauges nestled in individual pods with silver face backgrounds. The number were white with a thin-lined black edge. They were tall and narrow and closely resembled the current Mustang numbers in the speedo cluster.
5) The gear shift **** (in those equipped with the center console) was much more squared off and forward swept. It was also wood grained instead of chrome like the current offering. It was a bit bulky but it felt comfortable.
6) THEY HAVE NAV!!! They will finally be offering navigation in the center stack area of the console. Unlike the Titan Nav which kinda adds a bit of "tallness" the the center stack, the Fords dash height and shape are basically just as it is now. The navigation screen sits at the face of the dash at the very top of the center stack. It looks very nice.
7) The truck can now be had with the SuperDuty style ladder on the tailgate with the fold up "support stick" for ease of entering the bed. Nice touch, guys.
8) An industry first will be an available side step that folds down on the drivers side at the bed area directly in front of the rear wheel well. It's activated by pushing a large button with your foot that lowers a retractable step. Although a VERY usable feature, it looked crappy to me when in its stowed position.
9) The front end is big. Bold and tough much like the Super Duty but in a more miniature form. Gone are the round headlamps inside the rectangular housings. Its all rectangular now.

From my perspective....the list of cons:

1) There will still be no good option for securing cargo in the bed. No "utilitrac" of sorts. Just the same ol' hum drum crap they've been doing.
2) There is no side storage box as in the case of the Titan (if equipped)
3) The extended cab model (yes...I viewed both) still had doors that only open to about 90 degrees. Catch up, guys!
4) The tailgate was absolutely hideous. It has three horrible looking body lines that are merely deep crevices that span the entire tailgate from tail light to tail light. The have no place there at all. The top of the tailgate jetted out about 2" over about a 3" length to create a large, flat area on the top. I can now see that this is for the purpose of the optional folding ladder, but it sure made the shape of the tailgate look silly.
5) Lose the tail lights!! They're LOADED with chrome. It is essentially three different lamp areas that are completely separated with 1/2" wide lines of chrome and a 1/2" chrome border around the entire lamp. You'll love it or hate it. I'm goin' with hate.
6) The wood grain (if equipped) on the interior door panels is a bit much for my taste. You can be the judge at the time of photo release.
7) Lastly, I hope this issue was limited to the fact that the truck was a production prototype. There was no ingress/egress bar for the driver to grab during entry and exit. It made the task a bit cumbersome.

If anyone has any questions (after having read everything) I'll do my best to address them. I hope you like the info. My overall impression was that although it lacked a few cool things that we have, the level of refinement has taken the truck bench to a whole new level. You'll see for yourself very soon.



All of the above information was originally posted at a Titan site. I am a Titan owner but above all, a truck enthusiast. I hope you guys enjoy the post and I'll do my best to answer any questions that you may have about the truck. Take care.

 

have 2 wait and see!!

 

They better not put the damn tail lights from the Fusion on the F150. That's the one thing that KILLS the Fusion- the damn cheap Japan knock off tail lights. The LAST place they belong is on an AMERICAN TRUCK.

 

They may not have shown you everything. Here is Ford's new cargo management system and the side storage box which is lockable. It even has a drain plug so it can double as a cooler.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPOPF45E5Ns

 

Thanks for the write-up metallicat. Appreciate it!

 

Thanks for the update. I hate those chrome Fusion tail lights too. Hope they change their mind.

 

this is good for you stock and lifted guys, but it may not make for a very pretty sport truck...

glad i got a sexy truck while they still made em

 

Any talk about the engine?

 

No engine info. As stated above they weren't discussing specifics of the engine. In fact, they were quite tight-lipped for fear of information finding its way onto forums just such as these.
Unfortunately, you guys hit the nail on the head with the Fusion-esque tail lamps. I drive a truck from a Japanese manufacturer and even I think the tails look a bit ricer. In fact....A LOT!

 

Thanks. The aftermarket will make a lot of money on the tails then.

 

Very intersting. Thanks for the scoop... We must wait & see!

 

Thanks for the update!

What did the wheels look like? Anything special there?

 

I'm glad that they are going to add the tailgate step to the F150.
Thanks for the info!

 

Agreed.....X2.....The Fusion would look 100 time better without the Chrome tail lights.

 

Is the cab bigger than the current crew cab? Like the Megacab...hopefully not!

Also, was there an integrated trailer brake controller?