At the 2017 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS), Ford showed off the updated 2018 F-150 and officially announced the returns of the Ford Ranger in 2019 and Ford Bronco in 2020.
Ford Makes it Official: Bronco and Ranger Returning
Ford used their press conference at NAIAS 2017 to put the spotlight on their refreshed F-150, discuss their mobility endeavors and announce plans that they are adding 13 new electrified vehicles in the next five years, including hybrid versions of the F-150 and Mustang.
But perhaps the most exciting news they shared was the official announcement that the Bronco and Ranger will soon be returning to the U.S. market. An all-new Ford Ranger midsize pickup truck will be reintroduced in 2019, while a new Ford Bronco midsize SUV will return (as a global vehicle) in 2020.
Very few details are available on either model, but we will take the official announcement for now. Ford did say that both models will be built at its Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
But auto shows are really for showing off vehicles, and Ford did that by showcasing the updated looks and engines offered on the upcoming 2018 F-150.
The 2018 Ford F-150
The 2018 Ford F-150 was officially unveiled the day before the Blue Oval showed it off in Detroit. Although this new generation launched a few short years ago, Ford has a series of updates ready for its flagship vehicle.
The 2018 F-150 gets a redesign with new headlamps, bumpers, wheel designs, and seven new grilles to choose from. There's also a slew of new available technology features and systems. And, finally, almost every engine offering is new or updated, including the first-ever diesel engine for the F-150.
The military-grade aluminum alloy body and high-strength steel fully boxed ladder frame are still featured, helping the pickup save weight and add capability. Also, the updated F-150 will again be available in XL, XLT, STX, Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum and Limited trim levels.
However, all grades receive new grilles, headlamps, and bumpers that Ford says will allow for differentiation between models. Each trim level will feature its own grille design, while there's only a pair of new headlight units: one for the low-end trims and one with LEDs for the more expensive versions (King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited). The 2018 Ford F-150 also features six new wheel designs that range in size from 17 to 22 inches.
While the changes to the tail lamps are subtle, the restyled tailgates, which come in two varieties, are more noteworthy. The new sculpted tailgate will be stamped with "F-150" across the lower portion. On King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited trims, the stamped "F-150" is absent in lieu of a tailgate applique.
As for tech features, the 2018 F-150 is the first full-size truck to add automatic start/stop as standard equipment across all models and engine configurations. Other available segment-first features include adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go functionality and Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection.
Under the Hood
Ford is also promising the most advanced F-150 engine lineup ever and the best tow ratings of any F-150 yet. The 2018 Ford F-150 comes with new or improved V6 and V8 gas engines, a new diesel offering, and expanded availability of the segment-first 10-speed automatic transmission.
The standard engine will be a new 3.3-liter V6 engine with port and direct fuel injection, replacing the previous model's 3.5-liter V6. No officially numbers have been released, but Ford says it will offer at least the same power (282 horsepower) and torque (253 pound-feet) numbers as the 3.5-liter. It will be mated to a six-speed automatic.
Then there is Ford's available, all-new, second-generation 2.7-liter EcoBoost which will be paired to the 10-speed automatic transmission. It has received updates to produce more power and improve fuel economy, but the official numbers haven't been announced.
An improved 5.0-liter V8 engine is also available, which will also be paired to the 10-speed automatic for the first time. Ford promises "significant" upgrades in power and torque. We can also expect efficiency improvements thanks to reduced weight from a switch to spray-bore cylinder liners akin to those used on the Mustang's 5.0-liter.
Finally, the first-ever diesel engine offered on an F-150 will be a 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V6 Power Stroke® mated to the 10-speed automatic. It was designed, engineered and tested in-house by the Blue Oval. Although we have few details on it as of now, expect the Power Stroke F-150 to be the most efficient in the lineup.
2018 Ford F-150 Pricing and Availability
The 2018 Ford F-150 will arrive at dealerships in the fall of 2017, while the diesel engine won't be available until the summer of 2018.
Ford hasn't announced pricing yet, but they did confirm it will be built at their Dearborn Truck Plant in Dearborn, Michigan and their Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Missouri.
