The 14th generation of Ford's best-selling F-150 light-duty full-size pickup is finally making its way into U.S. dealerships. Naturally, the Blue Oval is keen on maintaining the expected high interest from consumers and has just announced the latest achievement of the new star model in the range, the F-150 PowerBoost hybrid.
According to a recent report from the Detroit Free Press news outlet, Ford is already selling the F-150 like hotcakes so it’s logical to keep the oven fired up and ready for even more baking. The automaker is also keenly interested in giving its new PowerBoost hybrid version a flying start as the truck is finally reaching nationwide dealer availability this very week.
As such, while the EPA itself is giving it the necessary material, Ford does its best to promote the all-new F-150 with the 3.5-liter PowerBoost - currently the “only full hybrid powertrain available in a pickup” - as also the one carrying the best combined fuel economy value “for gas-powered light-duty full-size pickups... on 4x2 models.”
Granted, it’s a very specific achievement, but the EPA-estimated rating of 25 mpg (9.4 liters per 100 km) remains. Plus, we’ve already seen the new hybrid model (which, by the way, is more powerful than a V8 at 430 hp) deliver even better results in real-life environments. It's still not yet on par with a smaller, diesel-equipped, Jeep Gladiator, for example.
As far as the 4x4 model is concerned, the EPA subtracts just one mile from the rating, hitting the 24-mpg (9.8 liters/100 km) value and again becoming the “best among 4x4 gas-powered full-size light-duty pickups.” The 2WD model also achieves 25 mpg and 26 mpg (9.4 and 9 liters per 100 km) rating for the city and highway courses, respectively. That means a possible range of up to 750 miles (1,207 km), or 700 miles (1,127 km) for the 4x4 model.
Of course, we all know that real-world mileage can vary widely, so Ford also touts a few values that are easier to achieve. Such as the 12,700-pound (5,761-kg) towing ability when equipped with the Max Trailer Tow Package, or the 2,120 pounds (962 kg) of maximum payload capacity.
Aurel has aimed high all his life (literally, at 16 he was flying gliders all by himself) so in 2006 he switched careers and got hired as a writer at his favorite magazine. Since then, his work has been published both by print and online outlets, most recently right here, on autoevolution. Full profile
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