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2009-2010 Ford F-150 being recalled to fix door handles

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Recalls, Safety, Ford, Canada

2009 Ford F-150

2009 Ford F-150 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has announced that the automaker is recalling 280,946 F-150 models in the United States and an additional 68,000 in Canada for faulty door handles. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration, the interior handles feature a housing embossment that may fracture with normal use. If this happens, the door latches may not fully return to their stowed position, and as a result, the doors may pop open during an accident.

NHTSA says that recall covers certain 2009 and 2010 model year trucks manufactured between January 18, 2008 and November 30, 2009. Ford is expected to begin notifying owners on or before February 14. If owners notice any interior door handle that doesn’t return to its stowed position, they’ll be urged to return the vehicle to a dealer to have the defective piece replaced free of charge. Eventually, all vehicles in the recall will be asked to return to the dealer for an inspection and free replacement of any trouble parts. Clear the jump for a look at the full recall notice.

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

[Sources: NHTSA, The Detroit News]

Continue reading 2009-2010 Ford F-150 being recalled to fix door handles

2009-2010 Ford F-150 being recalled to fix door handles originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 03 Feb 2011 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes flight in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor [w/video]

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Etc., Videos, Ford, Celebrities

Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Ford F150 SVT Raptor

Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Ford F150 SVT Raptor – Click above for high-res image gallery

By now, news that the Ford F150 SVT Raptor can get you over the river and through the woods to grandma’s house is older than the dirt splattered down the pickup’s side. Still, that doesn’t mean that we’re above taking a second to watch Vaughn Gittin Jr. put the FoMoCo beast through its paces. As you may recall, Gittin Jr. is the talented hellion who took the 2010 Formula Drift title, so the man knows a thing or two about stretching a vehicle to its limits and beyond.

Gittin Jr. teamed up with the crew from Wrecked Magazine to bash through the sand outside of Las Vegas when someone threw open the gates to the local CORR track. That’s when things got really interesting. The drift guru set to vaulting the pickup to ever loftier heights. At one point, re-entry causes the Raptor’s frame to flex enough to cause the tail gate to pop open on contact with terra firma – impressive given what this bruiser was engineered to withstand. Hit the jump to see the video for yourself.

Gallery: Vaughn Gittin Jr. in the Ford F150 SVT Raptor

[Sources: YouTube, Wrecked Magazine]

Continue reading Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes flight in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor [w/video]

Vaughn Gittin Jr. takes flight in the Ford F-150 SVT Raptor [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Feb 2011 19:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Barrett-Jackson 2011: 2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator *Update: w/video

Filed under: Truck, Auctions, Videos, Ford, Celebrities

2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator at Barrett-Jackson 2011

2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator – Click above for high-res image gallery

Beau Boeckmann is a huge Evel Knieval fan… he also happens to be the president of Galpin Auto Sports, which is tied to the largest Ford dealership in the world. To honor his hero, Boeckmann commissioned a limited run of customized Ford F-150s. Coming across the stage at the 2011 Barrett-Jackson auction will be the 2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator; the prototype truck built to showcase the entire run and it’s identified as #000 of 2,000.

This 2002 F-150 wears custom Evel Knieval-themed paint complete with the blue and white stars and stripes running the length of the vehicle. Under the hood is the familiar 5.7-liter Triton V8 engine while a set of Boyd Coddington wheels outside and red, white and blue leather seats inside help set this limited-edition pickup apart.

Mr. Knieval used this has his personal vehicle towards the end of his life. All 19,023 miles have been used to shuttle Evel to events around the country, including an appearance together on The Jimmy Kimmel Show.

Check out both the the trucks official auction page on Barrett-Jackson, and watch Speed’s live online coverage here. Are you playing Speed’s Online Fantasy Bid Game? If not, test your auction pricing mettle by guessing what a series of featured vehicles will end up bringing at the auction block – you could end up winning a prize, like an Apple iPad. Enjoy!

*Update: Video of the truck crossing the block is available after the jump.

Gallery: 2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2011: 2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator *Update: w/video

Barrett-Jackson 2011: 2002 Ford F-150 Evel Knievel Gladiator *Update: w/video originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 22 Jan 2011 18:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 city, 22 highway

Filed under: Truck, Ford

2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost smokes its tires – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s official: Ford’s 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine, as seen in the 2011 F-150 pickup truck, has been rated at 16 city and 22 highway by the EPA. And it’s also officially the engine to get if you’re shopping for a new Blue Oval workhorse.

To put it all into perspective, the 365-horsepower, 420-pound-foot EcoBoost-equipped F-150 offers 3,060 pounds of payload and 11,300 pounds worth of towing capability – both of which are best-in-class – and it gets better fuel mileage than any comparable engines offered by Ford’s competitors (see the graph after the break).

All this baked-in, twin-turbocharged goodness won’t even cost the buyer all that much money, as the EcoBoost engine option adds just $750 to the cost of a truck that would otherwise be equipped with the perfectly acceptable 5.0-liter V8, or $1,750 over the cost of the base 3.7-liter V6.

Money well spent, we’d say, especially considering that the more powerful EcoBoost beats the 5.0 when it comes to fuel efficiency (15/21) and nearly matches the 3.7’s 16/23 rating. Probably not when smoking its tires, though…

Want to know more? Feel free to check out the complete press release after the break.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost

[Source: Ford via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 city, 22 highway

2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost rated at 16 city, 22 highway originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Truck, Work, Ford

Ford Ecoboost V6

After surviving some of the most heinous abuse that the engineers at Ford cold dream up, the same 3.5-liter Ecoboost V6 engine that pulled logs, raced in Baja and towed 11,300 pounds for 24 hours straight will be dissected in front of the crowds at this year’s Detroit Auto Show. The stunt gets started on January 15 at 11 a.m., and Ford is hoping to be able to show off exactly how well its new V6 workhorse held up against the equivalent of 160,000 miles of torture.

Ford has come out with a bare-knuckle advertising campaign to prove that it’s smaller-displacement, turbocharged engine can not only dish out equivalent power while using less fuel, but that it can stand up to the kind of work that pickup trucks are meant to endure. After wrapping up competition in the Baja 1000, Ford pulled its Ecoboost engine to perform dyno tests, and found that even after all of the beatings, the lump still churned out the same 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque that it left the factory with. Not too shabby. Stop by the Ford display at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show to check out the dissection, and hit the jump to see the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show

Ford showcasing live teardown of F-150 EcoBoost engine during Detroit Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Dec 2010 18:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named Four Wheeler 2011 Pickup Truck of the Year

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Ford, Off-Road

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

It’s good to know that there’s still some sense left in the world. The minds at Four Wheeler have announced that of all the excellent pickup trucks for sale right now, the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 is king of the heap. The magazine has officially crowned the big Blue Oval as its Truck of the Year, saying that the go-fast off-roader is every four-wheel-drive enthusiast’s dream machine straight from the factory. After our stints behind the wheel of the Raptor, we’re inclined to agree.

Four Wheeler has been choosing a truck of the year since 1989, and to classify, a model must be new or significantly revised compared to its predecessor. This year, the magazine lined up the Raptor alongside the Ford Super Duty Power Stroke Lariat FX4 and the Chevrolet 2500 Silverado Z71, but it was the Ford’s bird of prey that came out on top. You can check out the full report in the March 2011 issue of Four Wheeler, which is set to hit the stands in January, logically.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2: Review

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

[Source: Four Wheeler]

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor named Four Wheeler 2011 Pickup Truck of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 10 Dec 2010 14:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

Filed under: Performance, Truck, Ford, Reviews, Off-Road

Frequent Flying In Ford’s Factory Baja Blaster

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 – Click above for high-res image gallery

A scant 30 minutes had passed after taking possession of this 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor until we had all four of its wheels off the ground. We’d have done the deed even sooner, but our destination – a Baja-style test track in the middle of the desert outside Phoenix, Arizona – was, understandably, far enough out of town that no locals would be able to complain of excessive noise or mini dust tornadoes encroaching on their own tracts of brush-filled paradise.

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor jump After all, the modern conveniences of day-to-day life just don’t mix with such uncivilized activities as seeing how much air you can put between your truck’s skid plates and solid ground.

And therein lies the beauty of this particular beast. Since when did such niceties as in-dash navigation with voice-activated SYNC, a leather interior with heated seats, dual-zone climate control and satellite radio count as standard equipment in a truck that was built primarily for 100-mile-per-hour blasts through the desert?

Since late 2009, actually, when FoMoCo unleashed the first version of the F-150 SVT Raptor on an unsuspecting public. Unlike all previous products from Ford’s Specialty Vehicle Team, including the F-150-based SVT Lightning, this truck does its best work once the pavement ends and the really nasty stuff begins.

It’s no secret that we’ve loved the Raptor ever since our first experience behind the wheel, and now it’s better than ever before. How so? Keep reading to find out.

Gallery: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2: Review

2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

Continue reading Review: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2

Review: 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor 6.2 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Infiniti EX gets numerous updates, starts at $34,150*

Filed under: Wagon, Crossover, Hatchback, Infiniti, Luxury

2011 Infiniti EX

2011 Infiniti EX – Click above for high-res image gallery

The biggest news for Infiniti’s 2011 model year lineup may be the all-new M sedan, QX56 SUV, G25 sedan and IPL G coupe, but that doesn’t mean the rest of the automaker’s portfolio sails into the new year unchanged. The smaller EX crossover/wagon thingie, for example, gets a host of new updates including a seven-speed automatic transmission, larger wheel choices and more standard technology.

Curiously, Infiniti is still offering the EX with its smaller 3.5-liter V6, even though the majority of its products now use the more powerful 3.7-liter mill. Still, with 297 horsepower on tap, the EX35 should continue to be a surprisingly engaging steer, and with a new seven-speed gearbox in place, fuel efficiency should be improved for 2011, especially in the all-wheel drive models.

From there, all EX models now come standard with 18-inch wheels (a 19-inch set is available with the Deluxe Touring Package), dual-zone automatic climate control and new exterior paint options including Arctic Blue (pictured). Other changes for 2011 include Active Blind Spot Warming being added to the EX’s technology package and a revised premium package that encompasses both the upgraded Bose audio system and around-view camera system.

The 2011 EX is making its way to dealerships as you read this, priced from $34,150 (*excluding destination fees). A top-end EX35 Journey AWD will set you back $37,750, drastically undercutting the price of BMW’s new (and admittedly larger) X3 xDrive35i that we recently tested. Follow the jump for the full list of 2011 EX changes in Infiniti’s press release.

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti EX

2011 Infiniti EX

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading 2011 Infiniti EX gets numerous updates, starts at $34,150*

2011 Infiniti EX gets numerous updates, starts at $34,150* originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Oct 2010 13:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford F-150 to achieve up to 23 MPG

Filed under: Truck, Ford

2011 Ford F-150

2011 Ford F-150 – Click above for high-res image gallery

As we said shortly after driving Ford’s latest F-150 pickup trucks, we think the Dearborn automaker has the very best range of powertrain options in the segment for 2011. One of the engines we are most impressed with is the 3.7-liter V6 that now serves as the base powerplant in the F-150, but until now, we didn’t have final EPA fuel economy figures.

Well, that’s been rectified, as Ford has announced that the 302-horsepower 3.7 will serve up 16 miles per gallon in the city and 23 on the highway in rear-wheel drive models, the latter figure making it the most fuel-efficient full-size pickup on the market. Stepping up the next rung to the 5.0-liter V8 will get you 360 horses and a fine 15 city, 21 highway EPA fuel economy rating, another best-in-class figure.

There are two more optional engines in the 2011 F-150. The top rung, 411-horsepower 6.2-liter V8 will deliver 12 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway. That’s not exactly stellar mileage, and it’s actually one mpg lower in both categories compared to General Motors’ 6.2-liter V8, but we’re expecting much better figures from the 3.5-liter EcoBoost, which matches the 6.2’s 11,300-pound tow rating and 3,060-pound payload.

Sadly, we still have to wait for final EPA mileage certification on the twin-turbo V6 mill. In the meantime, feel free to hit the break to read Ford’s latest press release touting its F-150 fuel economy figures.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150

2011 Ford F-150 XLT Chrome Package 2011 Ford F-150 FX4 2011 Ford F-150 Lariat SuperCrew

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150: First Drive

2011 Ford F-150

[Source: Ford]

2011 Ford F-150 to achieve up to 23 MPG originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Oct 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew to start at $44,315*

Filed under: Car Buying, Truck, Ford, Off-Road

2011 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew

Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew- Click above for high-res image gallery

Ready to go stompin’ around with your friends in a Baja-blastin’ Ford SVT Raptor, but don’t know how much you’ll need to plunk down for the new-for-2011 four-door SuperCrew? Grab your pen and your checkbook, then write down 4-4-3-1-5.

Pricing has just been announced for the newly expanded range. The MSRP on the roomier four-door SuperCrew is priced at $44,315 while the shorter extended-cab Raptor SuperCab will cost a bit less at $41,550. (*In either case, destination and delivery charges will add a further $975 to the bottom line.)

Both 2011 Raptors are now powered by a 6.2-liter V8 engine that’s rated at 411 horsepower and 434 pound-feet of torque. The less powerful 5.4-liter unit found on last year’s model is no longer available.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: 2011 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor SuperCrew to start at $44,315* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Oct 2010 13:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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