Faced with
the tough economic conditions and even tougher competition, Ford isn’t waving the white flag while it waits for the next F-150
to arrive in 2009. Instead, Ford is adding new models and features
to the 2007 and 2008 F-150 lineups and loudly blowing its horn about
the current F-150’s capabilities versus new trucks from General
Motors and Toyota.
If you’re
itching to buy the 2008
Ford Foose F-150 but want to hedge against
gas prices jumping over $4 per gallon before you can park one in your
driveway, then head on down to a Blue Oval dealer today and order the
latest iteration of the Ford Harley-Davidson F-150.
The 2007
Harley F-150 is once again offered as a crew cab – last
year’s was only available as an extended cab – plus
it adds a new version with an optional twin-screw, Saleen-sourced
supercharger under the hood that pumps up the F-150’s naturally
aspirated 5.4-liter V8’s horsepower and torque figures by 150-ponies
and 135 foot-pounds, to 450-hp / 500 ft-lbs. This is the same powertrain
setup that will spin the Foose’s rubber next year. Only the bling
is different from Chip’s ride – with embossed Harley-Davidson
logos along the side, polished 22-inch chrome wheels, a unique grille,
twin tailpipes, and smoked headlights. The all wheel drive system from
last year’s
Harley F-150 is still available but it only comes sans S/C.
We took
the new HD F-150 for a quick spin up and down the track at Ford’s
proving grounds in Dearborn, Michigan. The supercharged version is only
available with two-wheel drive, so performance lovers who crave attention
can burn rubber before launching this truck. Once properly
warmed, the tires and motor quickly shoot the truck up to speeds around
110-mph at 4,100 RPM in just under a mile. Ford has worked with
team Saleen to tune the truck’s shift points for optimal performance
while siamese-twin exhausts crank out a nice soundtrack at all velocities.
Speed
comes at a price though. A supercharged HD F-150 will lighten your wallet
by $44,000, or $6,500 more than a base Harley F-150.
Ford is
also adding two more F-150 crew cab options at opposite ends of the
model spectrum for the 2008 model year. Work truck buyers will be able
to order the base model F-150 XL as a SuperCrew four door for the first
time, while luxury buyers will be able to order a highline ‘Limited
Package’ version of the Lariat SuperCrew.
The F-150
XL SuperCrew will come standard with power side mirrors, an AM/FM and
CD stereo, overhead console, color keyed carpet and floor mats, and
40/20/40-split cloth front seat with manual lumbar controls for the
driver.
You can
have any color Limited Package Lariat SuperCrew you want as long as
it’s
white sand metallic. The monochromatic paint
job covers every exterior surface, including the bumpers, billet grille,
and tops of the side mirrors. The LP SCrew borrows its 22-inch polished
aluminum wheels from the Harley F-150 but differentiates the rims with
painted inner highlights and unique center caps. The interior has
two-tone soft leather seating surfaces and a spun-silver instrument cluster. Only
about 5,000 of these trucks will be produced and each one will carry
a numbered commemorative plaque on the ashtray and dash.
