D R I V E N

When was the last time you gasped at the sight of a pick-up?  Certainly, it’s not when you saw the neighbor’s new Isuzu Fuego or your friend’s new Nissan Frontier. No sir, I’m betting the last time you lusted over something with a cargo bed was with the Ford F-150.

Sure, the Explorer Sport Trac looked good, but somehow the F-150 spelled m-a-n.  It’s something that can’t be mistaken as the transport of the weak-hearted considering its huge mass, huge fuel bills and high ride height. 

It’s not surprising therefore that it’s America’s best-selling vehicle, period. Despite all the efforts of General Motors, Dodge, the Japanese and Greenpeace, America’s love affair with the F-150 is still very much intense.  Who could blame them? After driving around its birthplace at Ford’s Rouge Plant in Detroit, the F-150 certainly deserves two thumbs up in my books.

Let’s see; first off are the looks: macho and mean but remaining sophisticated, much like Brad Pitt or Colin Farrell in an Armani.  The styling details are refreshingly modern with the angular edges and the kinked side glass.  Ford very much wanted to show the F-150’s orientation towards performance with its large egg-crate grille and large side view mirrors.

Though our test unit came in a subtle shade of blue, it can still very much make heads turn.  It’s not just the bulk, mind you, as I’m in the land of Dodge Rams and Chevrolet Silverados too—it’s on-road presence.  I, for one, can’t stop smiling at its gorgeous looks.

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