Muscat -- Ford has introduced the all new 2009 F-150 Lariat pick-up in Oman. The new 4x4 pick-up comes with strong work capability, improved fuel economy, new safety features and better overall performance. The new F-150 is powered by a 5.4-litre Triton V8 that generates 310 horsepower. Teamed with a new six-speed automatic, it delivers solid performance. With two more gears to use compared to last year's four-speeder, the new tranny allows lower gears at the bottom for improved acceleration while taller top gears allow more relaxed and fuel-efficient highway cruising. And the 2009 F-150's towing and hauling capacities are best-in-class.
The F-150 now also integrates SYNC™ in-car entertainment system, 10-way power adjustable seats, Bluetooth, audio controls on steering wheel and leather seats. Recently the 2009 Ford F-150, America's safest full-size pick-up outperformed top segment challengers in the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) side-impact crash tests. Ford expects the 2009 F-150's appeal to be even stronger for "core truckers," who list safety as a top purchase consideration and are a growing part of today's full size pick-up market. According to recent Ford customer research, 83 per cent of F-150 buyers consider safety a leading purchase reason, more than buyers of five of the six competitive trucks. Safety is built right into the F-150's core.
Among the truck's unmatched list of advanced standard safety features is its patented "K-bag" technology, a new front seat-mounted dual-chamber side air bag named for its unique shape, which is designed to help protect the rib cage from excessive crash forces during a side impact. This air bag is supported with a state-of-the-art side crash sensing system that uses pressure pulses from the impact to deploy the air bag 30 per cent faster than a conventional system. Also new to the 2009 F-150 is Ford's standard Safety Canopy® side-curtain air bag rollover protection system, which helps protect front and rear outboard passengers in both rollovers and side impact crashes.
The air bag is designed to stay inflated for several seconds for additional protection in rollover crashes, which often last longer than side impact crashes. Already a comfortable vehicle, the F-150 has grown even more so for 2009. Ford reworked the seats for more support and even a drive a couple of hundred kilometres is a comfortable experience. To accommodate the "truck-as-family-car" crowd, Ford stretched the crew cab body (SuperCrew in Ford-speak) 6 inches, which provides limolike room for rear passengers along with increased in-cab cargo carrying ability. That backseat also has a comfortably reclined backrest. A flat rear floor means the rear centre passenger enjoys the same comfort as his outboard truck mates.
In keeping with F-Series tradition, there are plenty of trim levels, including base XL, volume-seller XLT, sporty STX and FX4 and a trio of luxury versions. The latter include a new, blinged-out Platinum trim. "Whether our customers are towing a construction trailer to the job site or hauling the family and boat to the lake, the F-150 provides unmatched capability, unsurpassed fuel economy, and unrivalled safety," said a representative for Ford. All new Ford F-150 is Marketed in Oman by Arabian Car Marketing, a part of renowned Saud Bahwan Group which offers plethora of benefits to the customers including 6 years unlimited mileage protection, service and parts network that stretches across the Sultanate, over 98 per cent parts availability -- and Ford Privilege Card -- that provides 24 hours on-road assistance from AAA.
© Oman Daily Observer 2009
