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The 2021 F-150 elevates Ford's bed game

The new 2021 Ford F-150 is ushering in a new era of pickup capability, but there's more to it than the introduction of the PowerBoost hybrid. While that new powertrain is certainly the truck's headlining element, the supporting electrical architecture enables a level of utility that hasn't been offered in past consumer half-tons. The true party trick is Ford's new "Pro Power Onboard" feature, which is essentially a built-in generator that provides juice for the 2021 F-150's rather robust in-bed power station. This system is available even on gasoline-engine models, but its utility is maximized with the electrified powertrain. ICE models equipped with the option max out at 2.0 kilowatts, while the PowerBoost hybrid can be had with either a 2.4- or a whopping 7.2-kilowatt inverter.  The idea here is that the F-150 can essentially stand in for a high-output portable generator. In a worksite example provided by Ford, a PowerBoost model with the 7.2-kW upgrade and a single tank of fuel could provide 32 hours of power for an 1,800-watt compound miter saw, a 1,000W circular saw, a 1,200W battery charger, a 1,200W hammer drill, and a 1,000W air compressor with hundreds of watts to spare for lighting and other accessories. But even without the Pro Power Onboard option, Ford's new bed setup enables more versatility than in previous models. The new Tailgate Work Surface option adds a flat work area with integrated rulers, recesses for pencils or small tools, and even a stand for a personal device.  Ford is neither the first to offer an auxiliary power outlet in a half-ton pickup bed, nor was Ford the first to introduce a more feature-rich tailgate. GMC's MultiPro tailgate was a major innovation on that front, and while it is geared mostly toward improving the cargo utility of the bed, it can also be customized with 12-volt power and even an accessory speaker system. The Ram 1500 is also offered with both a multi-function tailgate and AC power in the bed, though the latter option is limited to models with the RamBox cargo package.  As half-ton pickups approach levels of towing and hauling capability that begin to blur lines with heavy-duty offerings, it's clear that automakers are looking for ways to differentiate themselves without stepping on their own bigger trucks' toes. These new bed and tailgate innovations may yet be the tip of the iceberg when it comes to full-size pickup versatility. Related Video:    

No diesels in the running for 2016 Green Car Of The Year

It's a new era for the Green Car Of The Year. In the past, the theme of the award was to take a broad look at alternative powertrains and pick the best among them. "Clean diesels" from the Volkswagen group were often among the finalists and won the award twice. For the 2016 edition - which will be handed out at the LA Auto Show next month - not a single diesel made the list. There's little wonder why. Green Car Journal, which names the winner with a panel of experts, had to strip two VW brand vehicles of their past wins. The 2009 VW Jetta TDI, which won in 2008, and the 2010 Audi A3 TDI, which won in 2010, have both lost their titles now that the world knows about the "defeat devices" that VW installed in many of its TDI vehicles around the world. So, what does that leave us with for 2016? Two plug ins, a hybrid, and two gas vehicles. The two electric vehicle are the Audi A3 e-tron and the Chevy Volt, while the all-new Toyota Prius (which will come with a plug-in version later) is the lone pure hybrid. Rounding out the pack are two efficient gas models: the Hyundai Sonata and the Honda Civic. This is the tenth year for the Green Car Of The Year, and it will be interesting to see if diesels can come back into the award's good graces (for the record, no diesels were among the finalists in 2013, either) in the future. For now, we'd like to know who you think should win. You can read more about the finalists in the press release below and then cast your vote in our poll. Show full PR text FINALISTS ANNOUNCED FOR 2016 GREEN CAR OF THE YEAR Green Car Journal to Reveal Winner of 11th Annual Award at LA Auto Show Press & Trade Days, November 19 LOS ANGELES, CA (October 15, 2015) – Green Car Journal has announced its five finalists for the magazine's prestigious 2016 Green Car of the Year® award. The 2016 models include the Audi A3 e-tron, Chevrolet Volt, Honda Civic, Hyundai Sonata, and Toyota Prius. An increasing number of vehicle models are considered for the Green Car of the Year® program each year, a reflection of the auto industry's expanding efforts in offering new vehicles with higher efficiency and improved environmental impact. Green Car Journal has been honoring the most important "green" vehicles every year at the LA Auto Show, since its inaugural award announced at the show in 2005.

Chevy gives Camaro Red, Black Accents for SEMA

Just the other day, Chevy announced a series of modified show cars it's planning to bring to SEMA this year. Now it has revealed full details on what could prove the most enticing among them in the form of a pair of Camaros. These new Red Accent and Black Accent editions are based on the new, sixth-generation 2016 Camaro SS. The former starts out as a Camaro SS convertible, done up in silver with red trim inside and out. It's got a leather interior, custom grille, hash-mark fender graphics, blacked-out bowtie badge, and 20-inch alloys. Even the engine is visually enhanced with a red cover. While it was at it, Chevy also dropped the suspension and fitted a new air intake and Brembo front brakes. Joining it is the Black Accent concept, based on a red Camaro SS coupe. As its name suggests, it's got a blacked-out aero kit, bowtie badge, and fuel cover, along with darkened tailllamps and satin black stripes. It also gets a black leather interior and its own set of 20-inch wheels, along with the aforementioned lowering kit, Brembo front brakes, air intake, and red engine cover. The Accent concepts are designed to showcase the extent of the accessories Chevy is offering for the new Camaro, and will be showcased at SEMA alongside modified versions of the Spark, Trax, Malibu, Colorado, and Sierra. Feel free to scope out the gallery above and the details in the press release below. Related Video: 2016 Camaro SS Concepts Designed to Inspire Red, Black Accent cars showcase new accessories, preview production packages DETROIT – Chevrolet introduced two customized 2016 Camaro SS concepts that illustrate the possibilities enabled by the new portfolio of Gen Six Camaro accessories and performance parts. Dubbed Red Accent and Black Accent for their respective design themes, each uses components Chevrolet will offer during the first model year of the new Camaro. "These are great-looking examples of what customers can do to personalize their new Gen Six Camaro," said Roger McCormack, director, Accessories & Performance Parts Marketing. "This will be the largest-ever portfolio of Camaro accessories and performance parts.