Ford Tests F-150 Lightning's Strength and Durability on the Ike Gauntlet™ Proving Its True Power and Efficiency
Ford recently took the preproduction F-150 Lightning on a towing test up Colorado's I-70, also known as the Ike Gauntlet. This 8-mile stretch of highway has an incline of 7% and reaches 11,158 feet above sea level at its highest point. The engineers tested the truck in below 0 degrees Fahrenheit weather with a 10,000 pound trailer attached.
The F-150 Lightning is designed to be capable of hauling heavy loads no matter what the conditions are. To prove this, Ford tested it in two of America’s toughest real-world towing routes during development – Davis Dam in the summer and TFLTruck’s Ike Gauntlet™ in the winter. They wanted to see how well it would perform under extreme conditions.
The results were impressive. The F-150 Lightning performed flawlessly, even in temperatures that could freeze most vehicles in their tracks. It towed the 10,000 pound trailer up the steep grade without any issues and still had plenty of power left over for other tasks. This shows just how powerful and reliable this all-electric truck can be when put to the test.
Not only did the F-150 Lightning show off its strength and durability on the Ike Gauntlet, but it also demonstrated its efficiency. By using electric power instead of gasoline or diesel fuel, it was able to complete the task with less energy consumption than traditional trucks. This means that customers will get more out of every charge while saving money on fuel costs.
Overall, Ford's testing of the F-150 Lightning on the Ike Gauntlet proved that this all-electric truck is more than capable of handling tough jobs no matter what the temperature or terrain may be. With its impressive performance and efficient powertrain, it looks like the 2022 F-150 Lightning is ready to take on whatever comes its way.
What was the purpose of Ford engineers taking preproduction F-150 Lightnings to TFLtruck’s Ike Gauntlet™?
To prove that the 2022 F-150® Lightning™ is capable of towing in below 0 degrees Fahrenheit weather, and to test its performance in one of America’s toughest real-world towing routes.
Where is Davis Dam located?
Davis Dam is located in Laughlin NV.
What is the 8½ mile stretch referenced by Ford engineers?
The 8½ mile stretch is driving east from Laughlin toward Golden Valley AZ on state route 68.
What information do we need to know about the trip?
We need to know the pack size used, if it was charged before leaving, if the vehicle was stored indoors or left outside prior to the trip, if they pre-heated the pack, if they heated the cabin normally on the trip, what was the range prior to and after the hill climb, and why they didn't run it back down the hill.
What other tests were done on the F-150 Lightning?
Ford engineers tested the F-150 Lightning's performance in two of America’s toughest real-world towing routes during development – Davis Dam in the summer and TFLTruck’s Ike Gauntlet™ in the winter. They also tested the truck's acceleration, braking, and handling performance on a closed course. Additionally, they tested the truck's range, charging speed, and power delivery in real-world conditions.