Ford revealed today some key details of its redesigned 2021 F-150 pickup, including those of a gas-electric hybrid powertrain and upgrades to the truck’s towing and payload capacities.
The Powerboost hybrid system pairs a 3.5L turbocharged V6 gas engine with electric power to produce 430 hp and 570 lb-ft of torque, increases of 30 hp and 70 lb-ft compared to the 3.5L turbo on its own. Ford says that’s the most torque an F-150 has ever offered.
Ford’s standard 3.5L Ecoboost V6 gets more modest power bumps of 25 hp and 30 lb-ft for new totals of 400 hp and 500 lb-ft. The 5.0L V8 gains 5 hp and 10 lb-ft for 400 hp and 410 lb-ft total. The F-150’s 3.3L V6, 2.7L Ecoboost V6, and 3.0L Powerstroke diesel V6 all carry over unchanged from the 2020 model.
All 2021 Ford F-150 models will come standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
F-150’s maximum towing and payload figures are up, too. In trucks powered by the conventional 3.5L Ecoboost V6, towing capacity is up 800 lbs (363 kg) over the 2020 Ford F-150, and the truck can now haul as much as 3,250 lbs (1,474 kg) in the bed. Ford doesn’t say how much payload increases compared to last year’s truck, but claims the new figure bests its closest light-duty competitor by 1,000 lbs (454 kg).
The new hybrid model’s capabilities are more modest, with a payload of 2,210 lbs (1,002 kg) and a tow rating of 12,700 lbs (5,761 kg).
Ford says the 2021 F-150 hybrid can be used to power more than just the truck itself. The new Pro Power Onboard system will let you use 2.4 kilowatts of electricity to run accessories and tools, while an upgraded version of that setup will export 7.2 kW of juice.
The Powerboost hybrid system doesn’t make the F-150 the first hybrid pickup truck in North America. General Motors sold a hybrid version of its Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks from 2009 through 2014 and followed that with a mild hybrid powertrain from 2016 through 2018. Both proved to be slow sellers.
Ford says the 2021 F-150 will go on sale in Canada this fall.
You may also like
