The improbable has happened: Lightning strikes twice. American automaker Ford has premiered its best-selling F-150 full-sized pickup in electric guise, with the company touting it as the smartest and most innovative truck to come out of its assembly lines.
2022 Ford F-150 Lightning Live Reveal
Complementing the F-150 Lightning’s sustainable technologies is a new and technologically advanced Rouge production facility in Dearborn, Michigan, from where the model is expected to be produced beginning 2022. The latest release is part of the Blue Oval brand’s mission to shift its entire lineup to electric power – beginning with the Mustang, Transit, and F-150 – investing $22 billion (over Php 1 billion) on a global electric plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.
Ford is marketing the F-150 Lightning as a true workhorse for businesses and fleet use
“For both Ford and the American auto industry, F-150 Lightning represents a defining moment as we progress towards a zero-emissions, digitally connected future,” says Ford Motor Company Executive Chairman William Ford, adding that the company is revolutionizing the iconic truck for a new generation of owners.
Exterior
The F-150 Lightning possesses the F-Series DNA built into its sheet metal, sporting a distinctive design sculpted into its military-grade aluminum alloy shell wrapped around the upgraded frame. Available LED signature light bars complement the powerful LED headlamps on the fascia, flanking three available grille versions that span almost the width of the vehicle.
The streamlined fascia and massive body pack plenty of presence
The massive hood conceals a lockable front storage compartment packing up to 400 liters of available space. On the base trim, four electrical outlets provide up to 2.4 kilowatts of electricity for powering external equipment such as power tools and home appliances. More power ports can be found on the cargo bed and cabin, standard on the Lariat and Platinum variants, providing up to 7.2 kilowatts of juice.
Users can light up the entire vehicle exterior for night jobs
Enhanced 360-degree Zone Lighting illuminates a specific part of the vehicle or the entire truck itself, improving visibility for activities under low-light conditions. In addition, Ford claims that the F-150 Lightning is the most aerodynamic F-150 ever, adopting a sculpted hood, new running boards, and a covered grille sporting a textured surface.
Interior
Fans of the F-Series won’t need to worry about space, as the F-150 Lightning maintains the same cab and bed dimensions as its combustion-engine versions. Room for up to five occupants is expected, along with numerous interior spaces for smaller cargo. The new model carries over the seats currently used on the standard F-Series with available Max Recline Seats that can be reclined close to 180 degrees.
Tech & Safety
A 12-inch digital instrument cluster is among the highlights of the F-150 Lightning’s onboard tech, featuring a customizable interface that legibly displays key vehicle information. The 15.5-inch touchscreen at the center of the dashboard brings the SYNC 4A interface that uses voice control, cloud-connected navigation, and wireless access to adapt to driver behavior. Making its debut on the F-150 Lightning is the Phone As A Key feature that enables users to lock, unlock, and start the truck remotely using their smartphone, without having to take the device out of their pockets.
The large 15.5-inch touchscreen comes standard with the Ford SYNC 4A interface
The electric truck will also be equipped with Ford’s CoPilot360 driver-assist technologies, including BlueCruise that enables true autonomous driving with over 100,000 preprogrammed miles of highways in the U.S. and Canada called Hands-Free Blue Zones. An Onboard Scales feature uses the F-150 Lightning’s sensors to estimate payload and inform users how much weight the truck is currently hauling, partnered with Intelligent Range to accurately provide range calculations.
Ford’s Power-Up over-the-air software updates will continuously improve the efficiency and performance of the onboard systems with upgraded functionalities over the course of vehicle ownership. The updates can be completed in less than two minutes, and customers can decide when to avail of them.
Powertrain
The F-150 Lightning uses two electric motors, one on each axle, delivering a total of 426 hp and using the standard lithium-ion battery, with an optional extended range pack capable of 563 hp. Torque output is pegged at a phenomenal 1,050 Nm, the highest offered by any F-150 by far. It takes only 4.5 seconds to propel the truck from zero to 100 km/h.
Dual electric motors plus an extended range battery equals 563 hp and over 1,000 Nm of torque
Equipped with the extended battery and Max Trailer Tow Package, the F-150 Lightning can dish out a towing capacity of up to 4,535 kg., and the powertrain components are protected by a state-of-the-art liquid cooling system.
Underbody protection shields the powertrain's critical components
The powertrain setup also allows the truck to feature 4x4 functionality on demand, with four selectable drive modes to handle a variety of terrain. An independent rear suspension makes its appearance for the first time on the F-Series, working with the truck’s low center of gravity to mitigate body roll and improve stability. Metal underbody skid plates shield sensitive parts such as the battery and motors from rough terrain.
Ford is offering the Charge Station Pro kit as standard for customers
An available Ford Charge Station Pro system, rated at 80 amperes, is offered standard for customers to easily charge their extended-range batteries at home. The Ford Intelligent Backup Power feature turns the truck into a mobile generator, able to power a home’s electrical needs for up to 10 days (with rationing).
Pricing
The 2022 Ford F-150 Lightning starts at $39,974 (over Php 1.9 million, exclusive of taxes and duties), apart from available dealer options. Will an electrified version of Ford’s best-selling pickup finally convince longtime vehicle owners to switch to electric power?
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