American’s best-selling vehicle has finally gone electric.
The Ford F-150 Lightning has been detailed in full, as the Blue Oval gears up to take on the Hummer EV, Rivian R1T, and Tesla Cybertruck in the burgeoning EV truck world.
Pricing in the USA will kick off at US$40,000 ($52,000) before any incentives, making it around US$3000 more expensive than the entry Tesla Model 3.
A mid-range XLT will cost US$53,000 ($68,500) in the USA.
Claimed range is 370km in the standard range model, and 480km in the long range Lightning.
With 420kW of power and 1050Nm of torque in the most powerful dual-motor model, the F-150 Lightning will hit 100km/h in the mid-four-second range. That makes it faster than an F-150 Raptor off the mark.
The Standard Range model will have an identical torque output, but just 318kW of power.
At its fastest, the F-150 Lightning will charge at 150kW plugged into a DC public fast charger. A choice of 11.3kW single or 19.2kW double home AC chargers is offered.
When you aren’t drag racing Raptor drivers, the Lightning can act as a 9.6kW generator. Plugged into the right kind of wall box, the F-150 can also power a home for up to three days in the event of a blackout.
Away from home, it can also be used to power power tools or camping equipment. Entry-level models can output 2.4kW in the wild, but the XLT and Lariat up that to 2.4kW through the front and 7.2kW through the rear of the car.
Standard-range Lightning models will have a 900kg payload on 18-inch alloy wheels, and maximum towing capacity will be 4535kg on long-range XLT and Lariat models with the right options boxes ticked.
A set of onboard scales will tell owners how much they’re hauling at a particular time, and the range computer will account for your load in its calculations.
Along with the tray, the F-150 Lightning has a massive storage space under the bonnet. Ford says it holds 400L of kit weighing up to 180kg, making it perfect for tools or other valuables better kept away from prying eyes.
Like the first Ford flagship electric car, the Mustang Mach E, the F-150 Lightning has the latest Sync 4A infotainment system inside.
The driver is faces with a 12-inch digital instrument cluster instead of traditional dials, and a 15.5-inch touchscreen dominates the dashboard.
Along with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, Ford will use over-the-air software updates to keep the technology in the Lightning fresh.
Under the skin, it rides on a variation of the chassis used under the petrol and hybrid F-150 range, complete with an independent rear suspension.
Externally, it differs with unique lights at both ends, and unique graphics for the wheels.
Ford clearly hasn’t tried to reinvent the wheel here, which is no surprise given how passionate truck owners feel about not changing too much.
Deliveries of the F-150 Lightning will kick off in the second quarter of 2022 for US buyers.
