By Shereen Shabnam

The last few days I felt like I own the roads in Dubai driving the tough All-new Ford F-150 that comes loaded with more Tech, more Power, more Capability and is the region's first Hybrid Electric Powertrain in a pickup. We are excited to bring you the more information on this new age pickup that drives with ease with more Drive Assist features than ever and gives even new drivers the confidence to get behind the wheel.

Exterior

The new exterior design has a bolder look than its predecessor. Every panel of the distinctive, rugged exterior is redesigned but maintains its bold and tough signature look, including an updated headlamp design, new power dome hood and wrap-around bumpers.

Higher front fenders, a tucked-in midsection and larger-diameter tyres pulled out three-quarters of an inch create a stronger, more powerful stance on and off the road.  Functional upgrades throughout include available LED headlamps and taillamps, and available full-length extended power running boards with kick switch that provide better truck-side cargo box accessibility.

Interior

The All-new Ford F-150 comes with a new interior provides more comfort, technology and functionality for truck customers, along with enhanced materials, new colour choices and more storage. It enhanced our drive experience and we found it to be stylish, comfortable, met all our functional needs and is thoughtfully designed for both city drives and the rough terrain.

We love the new optional Interior Work Surface that makes using a laptop or eating a meal more comfortable. Available Max Recline Seats with nearly 180 degrees of recline help customers rest between adventures.

The lockable, fold-flat rear storage adds a vault to the F-150 that extends the width of the rear seats. It's as easy as lifting the bottom cushion of the rear seat, dropping valuables in and locking them away for safe keeping.

Technology

To help customers be more productive, the all-new 2021 F-150 is the first Ford to feature SYNC® 4 with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. It introduces an all-new 12-inch centre screen – standard on XLT high series and above that allows customers to split the screen and control multiple functions simultaneously, including navigation, music or truck features.

The landscape design strikes a balance between demands for technology accessibility and the greater convenience of physical buttons. We love the new eight-speaker B&O Sound System by Bang & Olufsen. Passengers get better touch screen functionality and better rearview camera vision to find the information they need more easily.

Drive assist features include Pre-Collision Assist with Automatic Emergency Braking and Pedestrian Detection to help avoid a possible collision with another vehicle or a pedestrian, rearview camera with dynamic hitch assist, auto high-beam headlamps and auto on/off headlamps.

F-150 also adds 10 new driver-assist features that include Intersection Assist, which detects oncoming traffic while the driver is attempting a left turn. If there is risk of a collision with an oncoming vehicle, F-150 will apply the brakes to mitigate or avoid it. It has Active Park Assist 2.0, which handles all steering, shifting, braking and accelerator controls during a parallel or perpendicular parking maneuver while the driver holds down a button.

Performance

With a proven track record and a reputation for toughness, the All-new Ford F-150  impresses us with class-exclusive 3.5-litre PowerBoost™ full hybrid engine that delivers Built Ford Tough capability. The all-new 2021 launches with a choice of four engines – three V6 options, including the segment's first ever full hybrid powertrain – and a naturally aspirated V8.

It delivers the most torque and horsepower of any light-duty full-size pickup. PowerBoost combines Ford's proven EcoBoost engine and 10-speed SelectShift® automatic transmission with a 35-kilowatt (47-horsepower) electric motor integrated into the transmission, as well as software calibrated specially for truck use.

The electric motor applies regenerative braking energy capture to help recharge the 1.5-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery. The battery is efficiently packaged underneath the truck, leaving the cab and cargo box of PowerBoost F-150 as spacious for passengers and cargo as other comparably equipped F-150 models. The system is capable of sustained battery usage at extreme outside temperatures or under heavy loads.

Power is also accessible through in-cabin outlets and up to four cargo bed-mounted outlets, including one 230V three-pin socket for Middle East markets. There is enough power to r power your campsite for the evenings in the desert.

Verdict

With more power and torque, the All-new Ford F-150 takes work and recreation to the next level, targeting customers who demand ultimate capability with best-in-class towing. The Ford F-series lineup has continually raised the standards expected of all light duty trucks and the model we drove is certainly purpose-built to be the toughest, most productive F-150 ever.

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