Ford Motor don dey expand availability of V-8 engines and lower starting prices for some performance models inside its 2027 lineup of F-150 pickup trucks. Na Detroit automaker talk say the changes mean to give customers more choice and help expand sales of key models, na strategy Ford dey lean into under CEO Jim Farley.
The changes show as automakers dey try address industrywide affordability concerns. The moves also build on wetin some automakers, especially the Detroit Three, dey do by adding more V-8 engines amid weakened emissions regulations and penalties under the Trump administration.
But make nobody think say the new pricing mean the trucks cheap. The 2027 Ford F-150 Raptor go start at $77,800, which be $4,000 less than the current truck. The 2027 Tremor go start about $5,300 lower at $62,400, Ford talk on Tuesday.
Ford officials talk say the automaker lower prices by removing some standard equipment, like heated second-row seats, and by using manual instead of power controls for some parts, like steering column. Todd Eckert, Ford Blue senior director of truck consumer marketing, tell CNBC say for dem e make sense because e broaden the offer and e no take away from capability of that new entry or the model wey e come down from.
On V-8 availability, Ford go offer its 5.0-liter engine across every model of the F-150 lineup, Eckert talk. That one include option for V-8 engine inside high-end King Ranch and Platinum models for first time since 2023 model year. Eckert talk say dem hear am loud from customers and dealers say even on those premium series, dem want option to get V-8 engine.
The changes be part of several updates the company dey make to F-150 lineup for 2027 model year. Ford also dey roll out style updates to many models and dey add Carhartt model in collaboration with the Detroit-based clothing company.
All the updates for 2027 F-150 lineup come as Ford continues to increase availability of the crucial pickups after fires at an aluminum supplier badly affect their output over the past year. Ford F-Series trucks, which include F-150 and larger Super Duty models like F-250, F-350 and F-450, were badly affected by supplier issues because of their large aluminum bodies and other components.
Meanwhile, the 2027 model-year Ford F-150 pickup go receive BlueCruise with Towing feature. E go allow hands-free driving on interstate highways while towing. The system go keep vehicle and cargo inside lane, but driver must watch road and ready to take control: BlueCruise remain Level 2 automation system.
According to Ford, with BlueCruise with Towing, F-150 go fit tow up to 10,000 pounds. Company talk say software development consider trailer length, cargo weight, load dynamics, wind and other factors. Those things affect vehicle steering, acceleration and braking. Ford talk say 76% of F-150 owners use their pickups for towing at least once. Last year, owners of these models drive 118 million miles with BlueCruise activated, but the system previously no support driving with trailer.
To activate BlueCruise with Towing, driver must create trailer profile and specify its exact dimensions. The system no go perform automatic lane changes, no go operate in roadwork zones and no go allow driving faster than 75 miles per hour. Onboard sensors go also determine possible pickup overloading and detect anomalies, including trailer sway. For such cases, system fit limit speed or hand control over to driver. The feature go available for F-150 trims from XLT and above, while base XL and STX no go get am. General Motors Super Cruise system don support towing since 2022.
