2015 Ford F-150 1, Blizzard 0
When attending winter test drives, we're entirely at the mercy of the weather. If Mother Nature decides to let the sun shine and warm the pavement, the typical Canadian winter day we were hoping for quickly becomes a day of driving in slush.
That's why I was so happy to see the blizzard in Quebec City last Thursday. The storm would help me test the brand new 2015 Ford F-150 in the same conditions that future owners are likely to encounter—especially here in Canada.
Modernized
The F-150 needs no introduction: It has been the best-selling truck in North America for nearly half a century, and the 2015 is the thirteenth generation for this vehicle. To keep it at the top of the sales charts, Ford has dramatically modified its pickup. By constructing the body with an aluminum alloy, silicone and magnesium instead of iron, the Dearborn-based engineers lightened the F-150 by 317 kilos compared to the previous version. In an effort to reduce these vehicles' legendary fuel consumption, the choice of engines has been updated. First, there's a 3.5-litre naturally-aspirated V6 that develops 283 horsepower. Next, a smaller (2.7-litre) V6 featuring the added juice of two turbochargers should be very popular. With 325 horsepower and 375 lbs.-ft. of torque, this EcoBoost can tow up to 3,855 kg and is one of the most fuel-efficient options thanks to its Start-Stop function. The most capable engine of the bunch is a 3.5-litre V6 Ecoboost. Its 365 horsepower and 420 lbs.-ft. of torque helps it tow up to 5,533 kg! If you want a V8 under the hood of your F-150, you can still choose the 5-litre engine and its 385 horsepower and 387 lbs.-ft. of torque. So, in theory anyway, this new truck is more capable than ever. But what about its winter capabilities?
Bring on the elements
For my first demo of the 2015 F-150, I drove from downtown Quebec City to the nearby Charlevoix region. Driving a 3.5-litre EcoBoost version, my first impression was that even when the truck is fitted with excellent BF Goodrich KO2 tires, the ups and downs of the terrain on this trip are much better covered in four-wheel drive mode. Once I figured that out, the F-150 became very easy to drive, even in the worst conditions. The power steering is well calibrated and offers just enough resistance at any speed. The engine delivers more than enough power while sounding like a V8. Visibility around the vehicle is good, despite the chunky A-Pillar.
As soon as I arrived at the test site in Charlevoix, I got behind the wheel of an F-150 hooked up to a huge trailer transporting an excavator. In all, the load weighed more than 4,000 kilos, and I was convinced that the area’s steep inclines would get the better of the EcoBoost V6. So, imagine my surprise when I stepped on the accelerator during a particularly difficult climb; you could feel the turbos building pressure, but once they did, the 420 lbs.-ft. of torque pulled that trailer with authority and never slowed down. Fuel consumption takes it on the chin (being able to tow comes at a price). During this exercise, I witnessed the quality of the anti-skid system first hand. Even when pushed to the limits in outright acceleration through snow (something an average driver will never do), I was never able to catch the computer off-guard.
Effe-Centocinquenta Superleggera
To understand the extent to which the F-150’s slim new physique affects its handling, I had to take this Ford off-road. On a short autocross circuit, the F-150 was easy to handle, lighter than its competitors and tolerated fast changes in direction with poise. In a quarry where an off-road track was laid out, the weight advantage was even more obvious: although the F-150 bounced in holes and on bumps (like all pickups with a solid rear axle), the fact that it weighs 300 kilos less than the previous version means that you feel less movement in the cab. What’s more, they don’t have to be hyper-reinforced, which makes for superior comfort even on the most arduous trails.
Ready for winter
Overall, driving the F-150 across the snowy countryside convinced me that the popular truck’s thirteenth generation has what it takes to take on winter in Canada. Not only will this vehicle help companies save money at the pump thanks to its small, frugal engines and lighter body, but it will also satisfy a legion of faithful Ford clients for the years to come, regardless of what Mother Nature may throw at them.