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2015 Ford F-150 is Aerodynamically Sound Thanks to Improved Airflow

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2015 Ford F-150 performance windtunnel

Among the many superlatives Ford has flaunted with the release of the all-new 2015 F-150 is its standing as the most aerodynamic pickup it has ever built. The reason? The 2015 F-150’s aero curtains, which reduce drag by guiding oncoming airflow across the front wheels and creating less resistance.

Ford F-150 side curtains gif

“With the new F-150, an extensive amount of time was spent running aerodynamic simulations and doing wind tunnel tests,” said Rob Lietz, Ford technical expert in applied computational fluid dynamics. “Major advances in our computational fluid dynamics capability let us quickly see how we could improve airflow while maintaining the tough truck looks expected from F-150.”

Slots located beneath the headlamps pull in air from the front of the truck and push it out through ducts in the wheel wells and across the front of the wheels. This creates less drag and prevents Ford from having to encase the wheels within skirts.

Other drag-killing aero improvements for the 2015 Ford F-150 include a flush-mounted windshield, a tailgate top that reduces turbulence, narrowed cargo box, and angled rear corners that brake air off cleanly in the back.