Ford reveals its first-ever matte-wrapped production truck
Ford (USA) has introduced a new special edition vehicle – F-150 Lightning Platinum Black – designed for customers who want a truck with distinctive looks, power and premium matte black features.
F-150 Lightning Platinum Black is a monochromatic electric truck, combining the tech and power capability of the high-end Platinum trim level wrapped in a unique matte black wrap – the company’s first-ever matte-wrapped production truck.
“Ford is no stranger to limited-edition vehicles – and the F-150 Lightning Platinum Black is taking our award-winning1 electric truck to new levels of stealth and style. This is the perfect choice for those customers looking to make a statement,” said Dave Pericak, Director, Ford EV Truck Programs.
The vehicle will cost US$97,995, have a 300 miles targeted EPA-estimated range with standard extended-range battery. Only 2,000 will be produced, with deliveries begin in early 2024.
Ford said matte finishes are trending in homes, cosmetics and now vehicles, while black is always in style. This powerful blend of trendy and classic takes the F-150 Lightning Platinum to the next level and makes the truck stand out next to conventional paint options.
A mix of matte black and Agate Black gloss features include:
22-inch matte black wheels and lug nuts
Black Ford Oval badging
Power-deployable running boards with Agate Black gloss accent
Soft-shell black tonneau cover
A distinctive smoked signature light bar
Reflective black-on-black Lightning badge that appears to glow when lights flash over it at night
An Agate Black gloss roof that blends in with the glass to create a smooth surface, making the non-reflective matte black exterior stand out even more, and Agate Black door handles to protect this high-touch area from smudging.
Additional touches include:
‘Lightning’ graphics on roof glass above passenger seating
Luxe black premium Nirvana leather seating surfaces
Aluminium plate in both frunk and in driver door jamb with limited edition numbering
Platinum Black also features enhanced technology. Available Ford BlueCruise hands-free highway driving – specifically version 1.2 – features Lane Change Assist, allowing the driver to change lanes hands-free by tapping the turn signal once the path is clear, and In-Lane Repositioning to help to keep the vehicle in its lane while subtly shifting position away from vehicles in adjacent lanes. Updated BlueCruise graphics in the digital cluster visually show the driver when an assisted hands-free lane change is occurring and when the vehicle is adjusting in-lane such as shifting away from large semi-trucks.
Also available is an optimised towing setup experience, in which the truck is smart enough to recognise a connected trailer and automatically switches to tow haul drive mode. Once the trailer is disconnected, the truck will revert to the previous drive mode.
Walk Away Locking allows the customer to lock the vehicle with a passive key or authorised phone via Phone As A Key.
Pro Power Onboard with 9.6kW of exportable power now works while the truck is switched off; plus, it features an updated visual appearance so customers can better understand the truck’s power levels.
“Seventy per cent of adults globally believe that their actions can influence positive change,” said Jennifer Brace, Chief Futurist, Ford Motor Company. “The F-150 Lightning serves as a beacon of hope for people because they can rely on the electric truck to provide power to those in need or keep the lights on at home during an outage in the neighbourhood.
Blacked-out packages aren’t new to F-150, with the 1992 Ford F-Series XLT Lariat featuring a ‘Nite’ truck package. The vehicle was dressed in Raven Black and included special bodyside tape strips and forged aluminium deep-dish wheels. Building on this heritage, F-150 Lightning Platinum Black continues the legacy of 75 years of F-Series pickup trucks.
F-150 Lightning is midway through its second year of production at the Rouge Electric Vehicle Center.
Following a recent plant expansion to help the company scale production, Ford is on track to triple F-150 Lightning production by fall. This will allow Ford to build up to 150,000 EV trucks annually to help meet customer demand.
