2012 Ford F-150 Promises Fewer Pit Stops, Added Grip

STONEHAM, Mass. -- Ford is ensuring its truck owners get where they want to go by extending the cruising range of its 2012 Ford F-150 EcoBoost pickup with a new 36-gallon fuel tank. Now capable of traveling 756 miles between stops, the F-150 EcoBoost could take Boston drivers all the way Detroit without fueling up. On the same trip, a V6 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 4x4 would have to stop around Buffalo, N.Y.

While the larger gas tank in EcoBoost models will help Massachusetts Ford owners get more work done, the new Hill Start Assist feature on 2012 F-150s that arrive at Ford dealerships will make sure work is done efficiently. The system detects when the truck is on a slope and maintains enough brake pressure to hold the vehicle stationary for up to two seconds after the brake pedal has been released, making starting off an incline an easier endeavor.

“The changes for the 2012 F-150 are all about allowing more work to get done while you’re on the job and enjoying your drive when you’re not,” said Alan Melkonian, owner and general manager of Massachusetts Ford dealership Stoneham Ford. “A pickup truck with a range of more than 700 miles is almost unheard of, and features like Hill Start Assist make your job that much easier. Ford refuses to take the ‘if it ain’t broke don’t fix it’ approach to its F-150 and the result is new capability that was unheard of a few years ago.”

As winter approaches, the 2012 Ford F-150 is even better-equipped for slick conditions with a two-speed automatic 4x4 system available on the Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels. The system preserves the driver’s ability to select four-high and four-low modes, but adds a 4x4 auto setting to the mix, allowing the truck to engage the front wheels on its own when it detects the rear tires slipping.

For those who want their truck’s exterior to match the boldness of its drivetrain, Ford offers a new FX appearance package featuring flat-black accents and black fender and tailgate badges with red “FX” lettering. On the inside, features like black leather seating with red perforations, black-painted dash accents, brushed-metal surfaces and a satin shifter knob complete the 2012 F150’s stealthy style.

All 2012 4x4 F-150s can now be flat-towed in neutral as well, while an electronic-locking rear axle will be available for the EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 models to provide additional traction during snowy New England winters.

“What Ford has done is add features to the F-150 that make a difference in the day-to-day driving experience, rather than add in a bunch of stuff most truck owners will never use,” Melkonian added. “It’s a smart approach that Massachusetts Ford fans will appreciate, whether they are at work or at play.”