Rugged, independent, adventurous: The Ford F150 appeals to a certain kind of driver. And the same holds for those who ride a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. That’s why the 2010 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150, just unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show, offers the perfect marriage of Ford toughness to the legendary style of another all-American brand.
“It’s a head-turner,” says Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development. “Built Ford tough with an added dose of adrenaline.” The truck’s exterior and interior designs complement each other perfectly —*in the tradition of Harley-Davidson’s themed bikes. Its look is unmistakable, with a deployable running board creating a strikingly lowered appearance, and forged aluminum, Harley-Davidson chrome badging, a six-bar billet-style grille, and aggressive front fascia signaling the F-150’s wild side. The truck boasts the largest tires in the F-series lineup — at 22 inches — and its custom Tuxedo Black with Lava paint brings a distinctive finish.
Inside, the two brands continue in perfect synergy. The console lid features hand-made cloisonné badges, a signature Harley-Davidson touch. The seats use materials from Harley-Davidson MotorClothes apparel — ribbed leather, engraved Harley-Davidson button snaps, and zippered map pockets — to give the cabin the texture of a biker jacket.
Ford has produced 14 Harley-Davidson trucks in the past. This is the first built off the award-winning 2009 F-150 platform. So all of this hallmark design is underwritten by superb engineering, with a 5.4-liter three-valve engine that delivers 320 hp, 390 ft.-lbs. of torque, and a top speed of 115 mph. With top fuel economy and class-leading towing and payload capacity heading up a long list of acclaimed features, this truck is set to conquer the open road.