Detroit show: Ford F-150

LIKELY to be destined to come to Australia through low-volume independent importers and vehicle converters rather than official Ford channels, the redesigned F-150 launched at the Detroit auto show last week is a crucial new vehicle for the Blue Oval brand in the US.

It has the requisite tough, striking looks, but Ford also claims to have created a more spacious, flexible and refined interior, not to mention new-found levels of safety and durability.

The latter includes the inclusion of side curtain airbags as standard equipment, the availability of various electronic handling devices (including roll stability control and trailer sway control), the development of an integrated trailer brake controller, and a boxed frame constructed with lightweight high-strength steel that delivers 10 per cent more torsional rigidity.

According to Ford, the all-new F-150 offers an “unparalleled” choice of cab styles and trim levels, while the engine line-up is now a “modern” all-V8 affair comprising a 5.4-litre three-valve Triton V8, a new 4.6-litre three-valve V8 and a 4.6-litre two-valve V8. Diesel and “EcoBoost” direct-injection turbocharged petrol engines are due to become available in 2010.