Ford F-Series (twelfth generation)


The twelfth-generation Ford F-Series is a light-duty pickup truck produced by Ford from the 2009 to 2014 model years. On the outside, the design was restricted to evolutionary styling upgrades, with a larger grille and headlights bringing it in line with the styling of the Super Duty trucks; as with many other Ford vehicles of the time, the interior saw the introduction of higher-quality materials in all but the most basic trim levels.
Outside of Mexico, the Lincoln Mark LT was discontinued, replaced by the Platinum trim of the F-150. However, this trim line is still sold as the Lincoln Mark LT in Mexico. For the 2010 model year, the SVT Raptor high-performance truck was introduced; unlike its Lightning predecessor, it was a vehicle dedicated to off-road driving.
In North America, the twelfth-generation F-150 was produced at the Dearborn Truck plant in Dearborn, Michigan, as well as the Kansas City Assembly plant in Claycomo, Missouri. In December 2014, it was replaced by the thirteenth-generation 2015 F-150, unveiled in January 2014.

Design history

Ford revealed the 2009 F-150 design at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Development began under chief engineer Matt O'Leary in November 2003 under the code name "P-415", after P-221 production began in June 2003. General design work was done under Patrick Schiavone into late 2005, with further exterior changes taking place during late 2006 to the tailgate design and wheel lip arches during a development hiatus. The final design freeze later took place by early 2007. Production of the series began in October 2008 at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant.
Ford originally planned to expand the F-Series platform by reintroducing the F-100 as a midsize truck. Known internally as P525, the F-100 would have served as the global replacement for Ford Ranger in 2010 or 2011, The project was ultimately shelved, with the company developing the Ranger T6 as a global midsize truck and in North America, Ford focused on developing fuel-efficient powertrains such as the EcoBoost V6 and the 6-speed automatic transmission for the F-150.
The 2009 F-150 featured a larger and more flexible interior, an updated three-bar grille, and additional choices of trim levels. The chassis included lighter-weight, high-strength steel for better fuel economy and safety and improved payload and towing capacity. For the first time in the history of the F-Series, a V8 engine was standard in all models; no 6-cylinder was available. All F-150s included an automatic transmission as standard equipment, as a manual transmission was no longer available. Regular cab models were once again produced with standard-length doors rather than two short, rear-opening doors. All Flareside models in 2009 were made with new badging on the previous generation's boxes and were discontinued at the end of the model year when stock had run out, echoing a similar situation in the first year of the eighth generation. The interior was more luxurious and offered more features than previous-generation trucks. The Ford Sync system became available for the first time, including both Bluetooth functionality, and USB and auxiliary inputs, and a premium Sony audio system was also available for the first time on higher trim levels. The center stack was also redesigned to integrate the audio system and climate controls into a single unit. The instrument cluster was now the same in all trim levels of the F-150, although the gauge facings still varied by trim level.
For the 2010 model year, the SVT Raptor off-road truck was introduced. Initially available as a Supercab with a unique 5.5-foot box, it was available with either a 320 hp 5.4L V8 or an optional 411 hp 6.2L V8 from the Super Duty line. The standard wheel of FX4 models was enlarged to 18".
For 2010, the F-150 saw minimal changes, although the warning chimes were changed to match the rest of the new Ford lineup. The keyless entry remote design was also changed, and now offered integrated remote start, as well as an integrated key. Also new for 2010 was the new MyKey system as standard equipment on all F-150 models. The MyKey system allowed for parents of younger drivers, as well as fleet operators, to configure one of the vehicle's ignition keys as the vehicle's MyKey, and could limit the vehicle's top speed, mute the vehicle's audio system until the driver's seatbelt was fastened, limit the maximum volume of the audio system, and provide both audible and visual warnings whenever a predetermined speed was reached. When the MyKey system was enabled, a message would appear on the instrument cluster display screen, denoting "MyKey Active, Drive Safely", to remind the driver to drive responsibly.
2011 marked a major upgrade to the powertrain lineup. In the interest of increasing fuel economy, both versions of the 4.6L V8 and the 5.4L V8 were discontinued. In their place were a 3.7L V6 and a 5.0L V8. Between the two engines was an all-new 3.5L twin-turbocharged V6. Dubbed EcoBoost, the 3.5L V6 produced 365 hp. Also for 2011, the instrument cluster was redesigned, and a new "premium" instrument cluster was introduced with a 4.2-inch color LCD "Productivity Screen" that included "Truck Apps" that provided information such as approach and departure angles, altitude, current 4WD system status, and other important information. The base XL trim received new styled steel wheels as standard equipment, replacing the older, five-spoke styled steel wheels that were carryover wheels from the Ford F-Series.
For 2012, the F-150 sported a ten-grade lineup.
For 2013, the F-150 received minor changes such as 3 new grilles, new optional 18-, 20-, or 22-inch wheels, Sync with MyFord, MyFord Touch navigation system, new power-folding and telescoping trailer tow mirrors, high-intensity discharge headlamps, 3 new color options, new Alcantara seats in the FX Appearance Package, black or pecan leather in Platinum, the return of the Limited model and the 6.2-liter V8 being made available in XLT, FX2, and FX4.
For 2014, a special truck called the Tremor was introduced, essentially an EcoBoost-equipped FX2 or FX4 truck in a regular cab model with a 6.5' bed, a special FX Appearance Package, a flow-through center console with bucket seats and a 4.10 rear gear final drive ratio.
Also new in 2014, the STX trim level also became available on SuperCrew models with the 5.5' box. In addition an STX Sport package was added for 2014 including 20" wheels, black cloth seats, and black exterior accents.

Powertrain

Three engines were offered with the 2009 redesign: a revised 5.4 L 3-valve Triton V8 that is E85 capable with an output rating of and of torque, a 4.6 L 3-valve V8, and a 4.6 L 2-valve V8. The 3-valve 5.4 and 4.6 liter V8s were mated to Ford's new 6R80E 6-speed automatic transmission while the 4R75E 4-speed automatic transmission was carried over for the 2-valve 4.6 L V8. The 4.2 L OHV V6 engine, which had been available, was dropped due to the closure of the Essex engine plant where it was produced.
For the 2011 model year, an all-new engine lineup was offered. Two of the engines, a 3.7 L V6 and a 5.0 L V8, both based on the 2011 Ford Mustang engines, both offer E85 flex-fuel capability. The 6.2 L V8 used in the 2011 Ford Super Duty was made available with the F-150 Platinum, Lariat, SVT Raptor, Harley Davidson and "Lariat Limited" Editions. Finally, the 3.5 L direct-injected twin-turbo EcoBoost V6 was offered in the F-150 starting in early 2011. All engines were paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission. Electric power-assisted steering was made available on all engines besides the 6.2. Since 2008, the Ford F-150 has towing and hauling capacity of 11,300 lbs and 3,060 lbs, respectively.
EngineYearsPowerTorque
4.6 L 2V V82009–2010 at 4,750 rpm at 4,000 rpm
4.6 L 3V V82009–2010 at 5,700 rpm at 4,000 rpm
5.4 L 3V V82009-2010 at 5,000 rpm at 3,500 rpm
3.7 L Ti-VCT 4V V62011–2014 at 6,500 rpm at 4000 rpm
5.0 L 4V V82011–2014 at 5,500 rpm at 4,250 rpm
3.5 L 4V EcoBoost V62011–2014 at 5,000 rpm at 2,500 rpm
6.2 L 2V V82010–2014 at 5,500 rpm at 4,500 rpm

Safety

The 2009 Ford F-150 featured front-seat side impact airbags and Ford's Safety Canopy System for the first and second rows as head protection in the event of a side impact. It also featured Ford's exclusive ADVANCETRAC RSC --an electronic Stability control and anti-rollover safety feature also available in other Ford vehicles, from the Fusion to the Expedition.
The F-150 comes standard with AdvanceTrac Electronic Stability Control, front and rear row side curtain airbags, and front row torso side airbags.
Safety Ratings can be found here.

Concepts

At the 2008 SEMA show, four 2009 Ford F-150s were unveiled: the F-150 Heavy Duty DEWALT Contractor, the FX-4 by X-Treme Toyz, the F-150 by Street Scene Equipment, and the Hi-Pa Drive F-150. The Heavy Duty DEWALT Contractor was built in a DeWalt theme. The FX-4, also called Fahrenheit F-150, was built for outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts. The Street Scene Equipment version is a lowered truck built with performance and style. The Hi-Pa Drive F-150 was powered by 4 electric in-wheel motors rated over and over torque combined.

Trim

For 2010, Ford introduced the F-150 SVT Raptor, the third F-Series truck developed by Ford SVT. In line with the previous SVT Lightnings, the Raptor was the highest-performance F-Series truck, including modifications to the chassis and powertrain. In sharp contrast to the street and track-oriented Lightning, the Raptor was developed as a street-legal version of a desert racing vehicle.
Distinguished by its "FORD" grille badging, the SVT Raptor is fitted with a redesigned wide-track suspension, allowing for much longer wheel travel; other electronics optimized its traction both on and off-road. Powered by a 411 hp 6.2L V8 from the Super Duty trucks, the Raptor was the most powerful version of the F-150.
Initially offered as a SuperCab, the Raptor was also offered as a SuperCrew 4-door.

Chinese copy controversy

In 2014, Chinese company Jiangsu Kawei Automotive released the Kawei K1, which appeared to be nearly identical to the Ford F-150.
When interviewed by Fox News in 2014, a Ford spokesman said they were aware of the Kawei and their legal counsel was investigating how best to address the matter.