The Features Ford’s Next F

The redesigned 2024 Ford F-150 needs a few new features to keep it on top of the American truck segment.

The Ford F-150 may be the best-selling truck in America, but there are still ways the brand can improve its venerated pickup truck.

Once again, the Ford F-150 is on the cusp of a redesign. According to the Motley Fool, Ford CEO Jim Farley announced in an earnings call that the updated 2024 F-150 would debut at the Detroit Auto Show this September. A new redesign presents an opportunity for Ford to keep the F-150 at the forefront of the American truck segment. Here's what the new truck needs to continue leading its rivals.

Ford already has both a fully electric F-150 and a traditional hybrid F-150. Now, it's time to split the difference with a plug-in hybrid Ford F-150.

Plug-in hybrid technology has served as a helpful bridge between traditional internal combustion cars and electric vehicles. A small battery pack with a limited electric-only driving range allows owners to conserve fuel while running errands around town.

If the battery runs low, the gas-powered engine kicks in to help — both with moving the wheels and charging the batteries. Plug-in hybrid systems can also operate like traditional hybrids that use batteries and internal combustion engines concurrently.

Currently, the market is thin on PHEV trucks. It's a perfect opportunity for Ford to swoop in with a redesigned 2024 F-150 offering a PHEV powertrain.

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It's usually the higher trim levels that hog the headlines when it comes to trucks. But base models and work trucks need some love, too. In the case of the redesigned 2024 F-150, Ford should reintroduce the manual transmission as an option for lower trim levels.

Most truck manufacturers have shied away from stick-shift gearboxes in the U.S. market since they're typically low-volume sellers. That includes the Ford F-150 in more recent years. However, the shift has left a gaping hole in the market where manual-transmission full-size trucks used to sit.

Offering a simple, low-trim F-150 with an optional stick shift could fill that gap. Not to mention, it would be a good-faith gesture toward old-school truck enthusiasts.

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why The 2023 Ford F-150 Is The Undisputed King Of Pickups

Tradition can only go so far. While the other major players in the full-size truck space have punted old-school leaf springs in favor of modern coilover setups, the Ford F-150 still clings to its traditional leaf springs in most configurations. Making the switch to coilovers could help the F-150 improve its overall comfort, handling, and ride refinement.

Multiple full-size truck competitors have already made the switch from leaf to coil springs. Ram was the first to make the change when it introduced its 2009 Ram 1500. More recently, the Toyota Tundra switched to coilovers for its 2022 model year redesign.

Ford does offer a rear coilover suspension setup in the F-150 Raptor and Raptor R — but the rest of the lineup is still relegated to traditional leaf springs. Making coilovers available to at least a few more trim levels could help the F-150 to keep pace with the likes of the Ram 1500 and Toyota Tundra.

Adding a multifunction tailgate to the 2024 F-150 would help Ford stay sure-footed in the American truck segment. The modern American truck market is as competitive as it has ever been. Manufacturers continue to jockey for position with new features — both gimmicky and practical.

One of the more prominent of these new features is the multifunction tailgate. GMC blazed the trail by ditching its old traditional tailgates in favor of nifty new designs that incorporate fold-away panels, grab handles, steps, and more. Ram soon followed suit with its own multifunction tailgate full of useful gadgets. While the Ford F-150 has plenty of features, it conspicuously lacks a true multifunction tailgate.

The closest Ford has is a hidden step-up assist feature. Otherwise, it has fallen behind in the tailgate arms race. It's time for Ford to take its own step up and stay competitive with the other American truck manufacturers.

If Ford wants to keep the F-150 competitive in the EV truck segment, it should add an optional range extender. The arrival of the new F-150 Lightning electric pickup was one of the most dramatic shakeups in the truck's history. After all, the F-150 and its audience are steadfastly traditional. Adding an F-150 with an electric-only powertrain was a bold move on Ford's part.

Fortunately for Ford, the F-150 Lightning has both won critics' approvals and earned itself an audience with customers. Between its comparatively conservative styling, impressive performance, and familiar cabin design, the F-150 Lightning strikes a balance between EV futurism and everyday pragmatism.

But it isn't perfect, and it isn't the only American EV pickup on the market.

Ram introduced its own electric truck shortly after the Ford F-150 Lightning. Dubbed the Ram 1500 REV, the EV pickup positions itself as a true work truck with EV capabilities. Ram claims the 1500 REV can tow 14,000 pounds and has up to 500 miles of electric range. But the Ram 1500 REV's real party trick is its range extender.

The Ram 1500 REV offers an available gas-powered, range-extending motor. It's a small internal combustion engine that doesn't contribute to driving the wheels. Rather, it works like a built-in battery charger. Ram claims the small gas engine gives enough of a charge in a pinch to extend the truck's total driving range considerably. Whether it's camping in the middle of nowhere or driving to a distant work site, Ram 1500 REV drivers will surely find circumstances where the additional range is welcome.

By contrast, the F-150 Lightning is limited to about 320 miles of range on its largest battery pack. The base battery pack has a range of just 230 miles. These are still respectable numbers but adding an option for a small, range-extending internal combustion engine would help the 2024 F-150 Lightning keep up with its rivals.

RELATED: This Is The Story Behind The Ford F-150 Lightning Name

Ford will debut the redesigned F-150 in September at the Detroit Auto Show.

Updates to the F-150 are always a big deal for Ford. It's by far the brand's best-selling vehicle, and it's among the most iconic nameplates in the American automotive landscape. Ford knows it has to stick the landing any time it brings changes to the F-150 or else risk compromising its main cash cow.

Because of this, F-150 updates are typically comprised of gradual, palatable changes. While the F-150 may look completely different from 20 years ago, that transformation was slow and deliberate. The upcoming redesign reveal will likely show a similar approach — using moderate updates to the truck's looks and features to keep prospective buyers interested without alienating the F-150's core audience.

Source: The Motley Fool

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Scott is a passionate automotive enthusiast from the Kansas City area. He enjoys weird cars, road trips, motorsport, and car stories. Scott is a member of the Midwest Automotive Media Association (MAMA).