It’s been a number of years since we last saw a high-performance Ford F-150, save for the off-road-focused F-150 Raptor, of course. But now, Ford Authority has learned that The Blue Oval is currently considering a new high-performance Ford F-150 street truck, one that – if brought to production – would to satisfy those that crave a pickup designed to perform on the pavement rather than off.
Things are a bit murky in regards to what, exactly, will power this new performance-focused F-150, but it will most likely be Ford’s twin-turbocharged 3.5L EcoBoost V6. In the 2021 Ford F-150, the latest version of Ford’s boosted 3.5 produces 400 horsepower and 500 pound-feet of torque – stout numbers, indeed.
Whatever this new F-150 variant’s output winds up being, it will benefit from a suspension tuned specifically for street performance, along with large wheels and high-performance, low-profile tires that should help it hook on the pavement.
If FoMoCo decides to go forward with the Ford F-150 street truck project, then it would be the first time we’ve seen such a vehicle since the 2014 F-150 Tremor. That pickup was also powered by Ford’s 3.5L EcoBoost V6, which at the time produced 365 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque, while being to a six-speed automatic transmission and 4.10 rear gears. The 2014 Tremor was only available in regular cab, two-wheel-drive configuration and was produced for just one model year.
Prior to the Tremor, Ford’s last real stab at a street performance pickup was the SVT F-150 Lightning, which lasted two generations – 1993-1995 and 1999-2004. These regular cab, two-wheel-drive pickups were originally powered by Ford’s 351 Windsor V8 that sent 240 horsepower and 340 pound-feet of torque to a 4.10-geared rear end via Ford’s E40D automatic transmission.
Second-gen Lightnings featured Ford’s supercharged 5.4L Triton V8 that produced 360 horsepower and 440 pound-feet of torque from 1999-2000. From 2001-2004, it made 380 horsepower and 450 pound-feet of torque. In both cases, it was mated to a 4R100 automatic transmission.
Now, after quite a few requests from enthusiasts – including Ford Authority’s very own F-150 ST renderings – and even some dealer-built Lightning-inspired F-150s, Ford is finally considering reviving the street performance F-150, and we imagine the news will be music to the ears of many. In fact, a Ford F-150 street truck would enable The Blue Oval to completely dominate the high-performance, full-size truck segment with the F-150 Raptor and Raptor R on the one extreme, and the street variant on the other.
We’ll have more on this as soon as it’s available, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for the latest Ford F-Series news, Ford F-150 news, and continuous Ford news coverage.
Comments
Great! Another hillbilly pickup truck that they think are sports cars. Ford truly has the most ridiculous lineup of vehicles in their history.
Or or or or just maybe they are producing more of their most profitable vehicles! Following the trends of the market! Hence why their stock is currently on an uptrend unlike the previous 10-15 yrs in which they were producing these marginal vehicles that did nothing for them.
The lightning is definitely not hillbilly. A hill billy truck is usually lifted, with aggressive off-road tires, and spot lights all over. The street based lightning is slammed, low profile wide red rim wheels with sport tires and usually some flashy graphics and led strips in the wheel wells. Something you’d see in a fast and furious movie
I agree Gary b.
Great idea! I’d suggest to Ford that it would need the 5.0, not the Ecoboost. Maybe a Magneride option too. Then I’d drop a Whipple in it and call it Lightning II. Who says lightning never strikes twice in the same place. I’m in!
After reading the comments, I thought, “these guys are missing the point!!”, NO V-8, no sale. I’m surprised someone didn’t say, “why not a 2.7 EB with a tune…..”???? Ford performance can and does make some really good V-8s NOW, add as an option, a really capable manual, and they’d sell.
Also, a 4wd drive version as an option. Search Boosted F-150 on YouTube. 4WD can launch from a dig like nobody’s business.
I’d be amazed and disappointed if the Lightning name doesn’t come back with a performance electric truck
That would be amazing. An electrified F-150 designed for performance would be killer. Something to rival the Hummer except specifically for street.
How about working on getting the chip shortage solved maybe ford should start making parts in USA and CANADA you would probably would not have a shortage
Should Ford start manufacturing microchips???? Lol. They’re not in that business my guy.
They could be. Ford has been in more businesses than you may know. What makes you think they couldn’t make chips? People born in Korea and Taiwan weren’t making chips as children, they got into the business, just as Ford could do. As of now, fords production depends on foreign mfg’s of chips.
Could they? Sure. Does it make sense? Probably not.
Let’s see, Ford starts a division making chips, just at they started an aerospace div, etc.. There is a shortage of chips, ford sells all they make, here in the USA, ford is able to make a profit, just as the other mfgs are able to do. Does it make sense? Not if you like the US dependent on Foreign Suppliers, it might if you are an executive at ford where job one is: make money. Just in time mfg, only works when everything is delivered, “Just in time”. Toyota, the champion of Just in Time-found followers everywhere, including ford. Problem is, Toyota stocked up on chips, while ford worshiped at the alter of: Just in Time.
yes that is true they are depending on foreign mfg but why we have excellent mfg here in north America look where it got us today backwards not forward
Blazinovic – you have no idea what you’re talking about. Just because there is a shortage of a component caused by a global pandemic doesn’t mean that ford should suddenly change its entire business model and make the chips, which they have no knowledge, experience or capacity to do.
Think logically: when was the last time that there was a chip shortage? Never. So clearly the regular model works. Covid messed things up but that should change by Q3. All this is temporary.
You need to look at things in perspective: when is the last time that there was a chip shortage? Never. Let them kinks created by Covid play out.
I can tell by your response, you are comfortable with china making our pharmaceuticals and/or the chemicals necessary to make pharmaceuticals, I am not. Does it make sense for ford to make as many parts of the vehicles they sell themselves? I’d say yes. Any time you’re reliance on commie red china is the determining factor for your life saving drugs, you are and idiot. Any time you let foreign mfg determine your ability to mfg in the US, you are an idiot. For example: making transmissions in china, for vehicles to be sold in the US, the list goes on…
So, does it make sense, Hell Yes it makes sense.
The question “does it make sense?” In this moment sounds completely ignorant given the current situation among Ford Dealers as myself. Just saying. YES it makes sense.
Use the 302 engine. A street truck needs to sound good. I wish they would go back to all v8’s.
Truer words have never been spoken!!!
Lightning is electricity. Make this new street truck design based on the electric F-150 platform and Ford will have a sure winner!
they need this , just with a supercharged godzilla
Make mine with a 5.0 coyote…😎😎😎
Go for it ford. Not everyone wants a lifted off-road version. Sell it with both the 5.0 and eco boost and with all cab sizes so people can have some more choice. Some cool colors would help also.
And as usual Australia will miss out, it really does suck that we don’t build cars here anymore as well as missing out on important cars like the Bronco and F Truck hitting our shore, and let me tell ya our country is flooded with Korean and Chinese crap dumped here….
Ford please build this truck!!!!! I’ve been waiting on a newer street Ford performance truck. I don’t care if it has the eco boost or the 5.0-just build it!!! I have my deposit waiting.
so what your saying is that people in north america have no knowledge and experience on mfg WOW your wrong i thing you should re think on what your saying and covid has nothing on making the chip issue bring more mfg in north america
Now, that is as clear as it gets, thanks for the great post. Chip engineering/machines to produce are made in the USA, but the california based companies would rather hire foreign workers!
good luck just let me know what was the last thing you bought in USA OR CANADA
Food, gasoline, etc. lots of stuff
Lol. In-between start stop engine actions I don’t thing you’ll have a good day at the track.
Gooood one! The biggest problem with the stop/start catastrophe is the number of times it stops but does not start!
I know people who have a lot more then 70 thousand miles on their 2.3 mustang EB. You may be thinking of the 350 hp power version that had head gasket problems but that engine would go a lot more miles then your stating 😉
A Lightning with a supercharged godzilla engine that would be really nice setting next to my 03 Marauder.
As a lifelong ford fan, I am dissapointed to see ford abandon the V8 engine for the V6. Ford may need to look at management. This is the U.S.A. not Europe. People that drive trucks want a V8.