At Ford Trucks, too, the time has come: the F-Max tractor unit is shedding its ears. More precisely: its conventional exterior mirrors. The new F-Max Gen2, shown for the first time at the IAA TRANSPORTATION, is equipped with camera mirrors that improve visibility to the rear by means of high-resolution displays in the cab. And at the same time the view diagonally to the front, where without the exterior mirrors the blind spot is finally a thing of the past. Ford Trucks also improves aerodynamics with this system, which leads to reduced fuel consumption. Just like the in-house, optimized Ecotorq Gen2 diesel engine with 12.7 liter displacement and an impressive 500 hp.
Smaller than the refreshed F-Max, but still a big deal for Ford Trucks, is the second new product on the stand: the F-Line. The range here is divided into three lines: Tractor unit, construction and road. 4x2, 6x2 and 8x2 chassis are available, as well as 4x2 and 6x4 tractor units and 6x4 and 8x4 construction vehicles. Depending on the configuration, an Ecotorq engine with a displacement of nine liters or the familiar 12.7-liter engine is used. The power output ranges from 330 to 480 hp. The diesels are combined with classic manual or automated 9- or 16-speed gearboxes. Ford Trucks also has engine and transmission-side power take-offs in its range, as well as hypoid and planetary axles.
The F-Line cabs are always 2.3 meters wide and mounted on air springs. The cabs are available in a low version and with a high roof, as well as in short and long versions. As far as assistance systems are concerned, Ford Trucks lists everything that must be on board in accordance with the European General Safety Regulation (GSR). The F-Line comes with blind spot warning, reversing camera, traffic sign recognition, tire pressure monitoring, lane departure warning and emergency brake assist as standard. Alcohol-lock preparation is also installed as standard. For an additional charge, the technology package also includes an emergency brake assistant with pedestrian detection, automatically dimming headlights and adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go function.
Battery-electric F-Line in the future
Ford Trucks is also holding out the prospect of a battery-electric version of the F-Line in the near future, which will be presented at the IAA TRANSPORTATION labeled as “F-Line E”. The e-truck with 6x2 axle configuration has been fully developed and tested by our own team of engineers. At the IAA TRANSPORTATION, the chassis will be presented with a box body. The time horizon is clear: the market launch is already planned for 2025. The manufacturer wants to completely decarbonize its portfolio by 2040, also with the help of hydrogen drives. Ford Trucks initially researched a single-cylinder engine for this branch. An H2-Ecotorq six-cylinder engine is now under development, which the manufacturer says will be used in tractors bearing the Ford emblem “in the near future”. An exciting outlook!
