Ford also unveiled two redesigned versions of its stalwart F-150 pickup Monday. The new F-150, which is expected to go into production in 2008, borrows from the bolder look of Ford's Super Duty pickups.

"It's an in-your-face (grille)," said Hall, adding that it will take more than good looks to guarantee the F-150's future success.

"A lot of it is going to be determined by how it drives and how it does in fuel economy."

The F-series is facing stiffer competition than ever. General Motors Corp. has new versions of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra coming to market right now and Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. is about to introduce its first true full-size pickup.

In addition to substantially refreshed styling, the revamped F-150 will offer new powertrain options, including a diesel engine. However, that will not be offered on the initial version.

Ford is developing a new form of automotive propulsion, and the implications for the American Auto Industry are huge. The Hydraulic Hybrid could be the greatest innovation since the internal combustion engine itself, and Ford is on the inside track with its F-150 Hybrid. New Tech Spy Has learned details about the system that are simply amazing and could put Ford in a commanding position in the fiercely competitive full size pickup market.
---The Idea behind the current crop of Hybrid cars is well known; the cars main energy comes from gasoline which recharges batteries that move the car at low speeds. Hydraulic Hybrids work in the same manner, only instead of batteries, excess energy is stored in hydraulic cylinders.That in itself is not revolutionary, except for the fact that Nickel Metal Hydride batteries used today are not an efficient way to store energy, and hydraulic storage blows them away with 3X the efficiency. Even next generation Lithium Ion batteries do not come close to Hydraulic Energy Storage.
---The standard F-150 has a curb weight of about 4800 lbs., which is 65% greater than theToyota Prius, yet incredibly the Hydraulic F-150 with a continuously variable transmission matches the Prius with 60mpg city rating, that’s an amazing 400% increase over its gasoline version.
---The F-150 makes for a perfect host for Hydraulic Hybrid technology because of its height and body on frame construction, adding this system to smaller vehicles will be challenging, but with those kind of numbers small vehicles as we know them may become obsolete...The Hydraulic F-150 is currently scheduled for launch in August of 2008, can Ford work out all the bugs by then? The people are waiting for Ford to come through in the clutch