Lightning does strike twice, apparently, but perhaps not in quite the same way each time.
The Ford F-150 Lightning was once a hi-po street rod with power coming from a V8 engine. Now, however, the truck is all-electric.
We teased it last week, and President Joe Biden got to drive it yesterday, even breaking the embargo, and now it’s here.
The obvious name pun may be eye-rolling but the specs are not.
Ford is touting up to 563 horsepower and 775 lb-ft of torque — what the company says is the most torque ever offered by an F-150 — from an inboard front and rear transverse dual-motor setup. Four-wheel drive is standard.
There will be standard and extended-range lithium-ion batteries, with the standard battery making 426 horsepower and 775 lb-ft. The rear suspension is independent and the batteries are protected by skid plates.
The truck will come in SuperCrew configuration with a 5.5-foot bed. DC fast charging from 10 to 80 percent will take place as in little as 41 minutes, with standard charging taking between 10 and 19 hours depending on charger type and battery type.
Ford is targeting 230 miles of range with the standard battery and 300 with the extended-range. Sixty from zero should arrive in the mid-4-second-range with the extended-range battery, and the maximum towing capacity is listed at 10,000 pounds, again with the extended-range battery — in this case, with the addition of a max towing package. The truck will also offer a feature that helps drivers line up trailer hitches by assisting with throttle, brake, and steering inputs.
This truck might be the only one on the road with a “frunk” that has electrical outlets, UBS ports, and a drainable floor. It can also use onboard power to supply charge externally — Ford claims it could even power a home during a blackout. Over-the-air updates will keep the Lightning’s software current, and it will have Ford’s BlueCruise semi-autonomous driving aid. The FordPass app can be used to help drivers find the nearest charger, and Sync 4A infotainment will be part of the package. Buyers will also be able to use their phone as a key.
The next version of the Lightning goes on sale at about 2,300 Ford stores next spring, though you can reserve yours for $100 today. Four trims will be available, with the base work-truck starting at $39,974 and the mid-trim XLT at $52,974. Those prices don’t include destination.
[Images: Ford]
