Ford Australia has confirmed the first customer example of the upcoming local remake F-150s has launched a US production line.
The company already has an F-150 prototype in Australia, with one spied at this weekend’s Finke Desert Race being used to transport the Ranger Raptor that will tackle the track.
It’s the Lariat, which will be the top of the two trim levels that will initially be available in Australia. It costs between $139,950 and $140,945 on-road depending on length, while the base XLT ranges from $106,950 and $107,945 on-road.
You can see the full breakdown of the range in our pricing and specifications article.
The F-150 range arrives locally at third quarter of 2023and orders reopened in February.
The pickup truck was manufactured in Dearborn, Michigan, before being converted to right-hand drive by RMA Automotive in Mickleham, Victoria.
As this is a prototype, Ford Australia says details such as interior trim are not necessarily indicative of a production vehicle. This example is also fitted with off-road tires and different wheels.
While powertrains like the 2.7-liter twin-turbo V6, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid, and 5.0- and 5.2-liter V8s are offered in the US, the XLT and Lariat come here exclusively with 3.5 liter twin turbocharged V6 petrol engine.
It is the best-selling powertrain in the US and produces 298kW power and 678Nm of torque, sent through a four-wheel drive system.
The entry-level XLT variant has part-time four-wheel drive with 2H, 4H and 4L models, while the flagship Lariat variant has full-time four-wheel drive with 4A mode.
With a braked towing capacity of 4500kg, the F-150 matches the Chevrolet Silverado and Ram 1500 when it comes to demanding heavy hauling capabilities.
Ford made no bones about the fact that strong Silverado and Ram sales were behind its decision to bring the F-Series back to Australia after nearly two decades. Sales of full-size American pickup trucks have soared since 2018, and the Blue Oval doesn’t want to miss out on the action.
The car will be backed by a five-year, unlimited kilometer warranty, and will be sold and serviced through Ford’s Australian dealer network.
How many will convert is yet to be confirmed (or revealed), but Ford Australia boss Andrew Birkic has made it clear that the Blue Oval wants to sell the F-150 in reasonable numbers.
While the F-150 left local showrooms in 1993, its heavier F-250 and F-350 siblings were sold here from 2001 to 2006 by Ford Australia.
It is produced in right-hand drive by Ford in Brazil, and depending on the variant is available with a 5.4-liter V8 gasoline and a choice of two turbo diesels: a 4.2-liter six and a 7.3-liter V8.
MORE: 2023 Ford F-150 price and specs
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