Go Head to Head with New Ford F-150 Online: Comparison Tool Shows Off Fuel Economy, Capability Leadership

• Ford has launched a new online tool for pickup truck buyers, the Head to Head Pickup Comparison tool for the F-150. Complete with detailed data and interactive graphics in an easy-to-use format, the tool helps customers select the most efficient powertrain to meet their needs by showing how it stacks up against the competition
• Located at www.ford.com/f150/experiencef150, the tool lets users select how their truck will be used for work or play and how much payload and trailer tow capacity they need. The tool determines the recommended engine based on their choices, and shows how the engine compares in terms of fuel savings, torque and productivity
• Ford F-Series has been America’s best-selling truck for 34 years running. F-150 offers a  powertrain lineup that delivers a mix of best-in-class horsepower, torque, capability and fuel economy

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 27, 2011 – Ford truck customers now have a new way to confirm they’re making the best possible decision when purchasing an F-150 thanks to the new Head to Head Pickup Comparison tool that in just four simple steps shows the best engine choice for each buyer’s needs.

Located on www.ford.com/f150/experiencef150, the tool is an easy and fun way for customers to find the best F-150 engine to fit their needs and to see how it rates on capability and fuel efficiency, especially compared to the competition. Ford is the first auto manufacturer to feature an interactive tool for competitive comparison.

“We found a way to bring F-150’s key advantages to life in a relevant and engaging manner that tells the customer a story,” said Raj Sarkar, F-150 Marketing manager. “No matter what kind of capability someone is looking for in their truck, they can find a combination that fits their needs and beats the competition.”

Users start off by determining if their truck will be used for work or play, which correlates with a construction site or mountaintop backdrop. They then use a sliding scale of zero to 3,060 pounds to select how much weight they will be hauling. As they do this, items are dropped into the bed of the truck as a depiction of the weight. Depending on if the customer selects work or play, the items include bales of hay, a lawn mower, coolers, barbecue grills, an ATV, a dirt bike or boulders.

The next screen asks the user to select how much weight he or she will be towing, ranging from zero to 11,300 pounds. Similar to payload, items are added to the rear of the truck to represent the weight and include a tractor, boat and race car trailer.

Based on the weights chosen, the customer is shown the recommended engine that is most efficient for his or her needs. It shows a detailed competitive comparison with other engines and even offers a video for a deeper look into each of Ford’s four engine offerings.

The detailed comparison shows the potential fuel savings, with space to enter annual mileage, the current price of gas and how many years the truck will be driven. The tool also features a comparison torque curve chart.

A productivity screen shows off the capability differences over time by calculating how much weight each truck can tow, as well as how much fuel will be consumed. Choosing the amount of days of use for the truck updates the results.

At the end customers can choose to share their findings on Facebook or Twitter, print their results, continue on to build and price their Ford F-150 or check out the Torture Test videos, which show the F-150 EcoBoost® being put through the paces.

The comparison tool also will live on kbb.com in the coming weeks and is verified by Kelley Blue Book, which ensured all information was accurate.

Engine offerings
Ford F-150’s signature class-leading capability and durability is enhanced with class-leading fuel economy and performance. Ford F-150 now offers a powertrain lineup that delivers a mix of best-in-class horsepower, torque, capability and fuel economy.

3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6

• Best-in-class 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm vs. V6 competitors
• Unsurpassed 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm vs. V6 competitors
• Best-in-class 17 mpg city and best-in-class 23 mpg highway (4x2)
• Best-in-class 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. V6 competitors

5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8

• Best-in-class 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors
• Best-in-class 380 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,250 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors
• 21 mpg highway, unsurpassed 15 mpg city (4x2)
• Best-in-class 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. standard V8 competitors

6.2-liter two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8

• Best-in-class 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. all competitors
• Best-in-class 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm vs. all competitors
• 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway (4x2)
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors

3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost

• 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
• Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm vs. premium V8 competitors
• 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
• Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors
• Best-in-class 3,060 pounds payload vs. all competitors