The extended-range battery pack benefits from a 17-hp upgrade, while the standard-range pack gets a 26-hp bump.
Ford
Customers taking delivery of their new F-150 Lightnings in the coming weeks are in for a pleasant surprise once they get behind the wheel of their trucks. Ford announced today, just days after beginning production of the all-electric pickup, that both variants of the F-150 Lightning actually make more power than the brand originally expected.
F-150 Lightnings with the extended-range battery pack will now make 580 hp, up from the original figure of 563 horses. Trucks with the standard-range pack are now rated at 452 hp, up from 426. Torque remains the same for both trims, at 775 lb-ft.
As a result of the extra power, payload capacity for the F-150 Lightning is also up over initial estimates. With the right options, Lightnings can now haul a total of 2235 pounds, up from just 2000.
“We were seriously focused on raising the bar on this truck, including after we revealed it, so we can deliver more for our customers,” F-150 Lightning vehicle engineering manager Dapo Adewusi said in a statement. “And our drive for continuous improvement will get a big boost when we start getting feedback and ideas from customers when they receive their Lightnings.”
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen Ford underestimate the F-150 Lightning’s capabilities. When the Detroit automaker first unveiled the truck, it had a targeted maximum EPA-rated range of just 300 miles. But when Ford announced the Lightning’s final EPA figures in March 2021, it showed off a maximum range of 320 miles.
Keyword: Surprise: The 2023 Ford F-150 Makes More Power Than Originally Expected