Ford is gearing up to launch the highly anticipated F-150 Lightning this spring and the automaker has released new footage of the truck undergoing cold weather testing in Alaska. Engineers spent two weeks in the northernmost state, where the model was subjected to snow and ice as well as temperatures that hovered around -34.4° C.
Besides ensuring the truck performs well
in extreme cold, engineers used the excursion to conduct low-mu testing. This
explored how the “all-electric powertrain adjusts power delivery to the wheels
on low-traction surfaces.” As part of this effort, six pre-production F-150
Lightnings were driven on a variety of wintery surfaces including loose snow,
packed-groomed snow, complete ice, and half ice / half concrete surfaces.
While this isn’t unusual, the F-150
Lightning features a dual-motor powertrain that can sense wheel slip and adjust
power delivery to the wheels within milliseconds. As powertrain engineer Nick
Harris explained, “The responses are extremely quick and the dual motors make
it as if you have two engines pumping out power in one vehicle. A lot of our
work is to coordinate the two motors to work together to best deliver torque to
the ground, so that customers who drive in the snow and ice ultimately feel
very confident.” The tests in Alaska are just the tip of the iceberg as
engineers have also conducted low-mu testing in Borrego Springs, Johnson
Valley, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and Ford’s Michigan Proving Grounds near
Romeo. Their ultimate goal is to ensure the F-150 Lightning is surefooted
regardless of what surface its driving on.
As a refresher, the F-150 Lightning
features a SuperCrew configuration with a 5.5-foot bed. The Standard Range
variant is slated to have a range of approximately 370 km, and a
targeted output of 426 hp and 1,050 Nm of torque.
The Extended Range battery increases the distance up to 483 km,
while the targeted output also climbs to 563 hp and 1,050 Nm of torque. Pricing starts at US$ 39,974 for the Pro variant, while the
consumer-focused XLT trim begins at US$ 52,974. Customers can also opt for Lariat and Platinum trims, with the latter
setting you back US$ 90,874.
