Spy photographers have offered us our look that is very first at new-set of Ford F-150 test mules being put through their particular paces alongside a Tesla Cybertruck. Than we’re with its competitive intentions although it is reasonable for Ford to check its all-electric pickup up against the latest competitors, we are much more interested in exactly how this truck is decked on. Why? Really, these will be the first Ford prototypes on the highway with in-wheel (AKA hub) motors, which may be considered a step this is certainly big both for the F-150 as well as hub motor technology it self, which includes enjoyed an extremely lengthy pregnancy duration because of its inherent downsides. But why don’t we reach the photos.
The above mentioned is our critical view. With the wheel covers removed, two things become obvious. Initially, it is an eight-lug wheel, which will be not at all something you ordinarily see for a duty pickup that is light. And second, there is no braking system caliper. Generally, that couldn’t boost flags with us. Eight-lug wheels tend to be common on Ford’s Super Duties and drum brakes continue to be preferred for rear axles in some programs due to their lengthy solution life. That may indeed be some form of prototype brake drum driving, but drum brake system are not any equipment that is longer standard on Super Duty (F-250, F-350 and F-450) models, and Lightning has come equipped with four-wheel disc brakes since time one. Whatever this really is, it’s not a parts-bin pull from a truck that is current. But wait, there’s more!
Noe the underbody brush camo into the above left shot; that’s a sign that Ford would rather we perhaps not see just what’s taking place under there. We are able to see cabling that is greenthe same this is certainly noticeable within the sleep in other photos) resulting in the wheel really here. That could imply nothing at all, or it might be a run this is certainly temporary energy the wheel-mounted hubs. Plus in the aforementioned photo that’s right we come across that this particular mule is holding a payload. Now, a Ford engineer could write anything using one of the for whatever reason, however the load within the bed appears to be marked “2,666.” If that’s the extra weight in weight, it’s a lot more than the utmost payload capacity of the current Lightning (2,235 weight) with the battery pack this is certainly standard.
Definitely, nothing let me reveal definitive, and automakers utilize mules to try all sorts of things, some of which never stay to see manufacturing. However with other automakers inching closer to production of hub-motor EVs, this 1 deserves some attention. Keep tuned in.
