The aluminum-bodied 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck is not only lighter than its predecessor, but also more expensive. The cheapest models, the XL work truck and the most popular version, the XLT, will see prices rise $395 over 2014 F-150 equivalent models currently on sale.
The base price of the 283hp, 3.5-liter V6-powered XL will be $26,615 including a $1,195 destination charge, while the XLT will start from $31,890. These two models combined are expected to account for up to 70 percent of F-150 sales.
The higher prices are not due exclusively to the aluminum body, with Ford saying the new generation model also features additional standard equipment in all five trim levels. For instance, two information screens are standard: a 2.3-inch screen in the instrument cluster and a 4.2-inch screen in the center of the dash. Additionally, all models have a telescoping steering wheel and two additional speakers.
The Lariat, the lowest priced of the luxury F-150s, starts from $39,880, up $895 over its predecessor. This model features an eight-inch LCD screen and a rear-view camera as standard equipment. However, the biggest price increases are for the two highest-priced version, the King Ranch and Platinum. The King Ranch F-150 adds $3,615 to $49,460, while the Platinum version adds $3,055 to $52,155.
Dealers have been able to begin ordering the truck from July 28, with production scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of this year. Ford has yet to announce fuel economy ratings for the 2015 F-150, which should be significantly improved thanks to the truck’s lighter weight.
By Dan Mihalascu
Story references: Reuters, AutoNews
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