MY2023 Lightning -- More Options?

[broncoaz]

Just like the 2022 Bronco is getting options (Manual trans Sasquatch) and different colors, I think the Lightning will evolve for 2023 and beyond.

I ordered a Pro SR with the expectation of trading it within 3 years. I’m hoping that there is a more reasonably priced XLT version when it’s time for me to trade up. Unfortunately with inflation the prices will probably be completely ridiculous in a few years, maybe I will keep this one long term. This is certainly a vehicle I’m unlikely to keep outside of any extended warranty I can purchase for it. There is so much tech to break I don’t want to be left holding the bag.

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[shutterbug]

At some point all vehicles will lose some or all technology connected support as the wireless carriers transiTimon from one platform to another. This is currently happening with 3G in a variety of applications, including certain GM vehicles that rely on 3G modems. It also happened in the early 2000s when wireless carriers transitioned from analog to digital. The question will just be when. How much longer will 4G be around before the wireless carriers sunset it for the next big thing?

It happened to my PHEV C-Max in 2017 as 2G network was being shut down. Ford issued a recall replacing the modem with 3G. With my car the dealer tried to install it 5 times, but they never got it to work. That was the bad part. The good part, is that the only thing I lost was access to the car with MyFordMobile App. The rest of the car still worked. With MME, loss of connectivity would also break the Navigation function (not a huge deal, since Android Auto would still work), and OTA. Those who get and use BlueCruise, will lose that as well, and any other subscription service, but it's in Ford's interest to keep that working and being able to charge for those subscription services.

 

[Nick Gerteis]

It happened to my PHEV C-Max in 2017 as 2G network was being shut down. Ford issued a recall replacing the modem with 3G. With my car the dealer tried to install it 5 times, but they never got it to work. That was the bad part. The good part, is that the only thing I lost was access to the car with MyFordMobile App. The rest of the car still worked. With MME, loss of connectivity would also break the Navigation function (not a huge deal, since Android Auto would still work), and OTA. Those who get and use BlueCruise, will lose that as well, and any other subscription service, but it's in Ford's interest to keep that working and being able to charge for those subscription services.

I’m learning something new here: Blue Cruise is a paid subscription? I had remotely considered going all the $way$ up to Lariat just so I could get BC, it sounds good, but that’s something I would have to consider. Besides the obviously much higher price vs Pro/XLT. How much is it per month? I guess I can look it up….but….lazy Sunday. Thanks!

 

[Rollingblock]

You may get 10 or 20 more miles due to tweaks, but I wouldn't expect 400+ miles without a significant cost increase until the next generation truck. There's a reason that the Chevy is debuting at $105k and if you listen carefully it sounds like the $40k version will NOT have 400 miles of range.

The 40k truck won't have 400 mile range, but it will be upgradeable which is what Ford didn't do with the Lightning. At what cost that upgrade comes remains to be seen, but at least the possibility remains.

 

[vandy1981]

It happened to my PHEV C-Max in 2017 as 2G network was being shut down. Ford issued a recall replacing the modem with 3G. With my car the dealer tried to install it 5 times, but they never got it to work.

Went through almost the same issue with my C-max, although they eventually figured it out. It took a while to convince them that the recall existed for some reason. Once they agreed that it needed replacement, I had to wait a while because their ev specialist was only on site 2 or 3 times a month. Worked fine after that. only problem now is that I can't figure out how to stop it from sending me text messages when the oil needs a change, even though I sold it a 1.5 years ago, LOL.

 

[shutterbug]

I’m learning something new here: Blue Cruise is a paid subscription? I had remotely considered going all the $way$ up to Lariat just so I could get BC, it sounds good, but that’s something I would have to consider. Besides the obviously much higher price vs Pro/XLT. How much is it per month? I guess I can look it up….but….lazy Sunday. Thanks!

Those of us that got early MMEs, before BlueCruise was ready didn't have to pay for it and got $100 credit at purchase. Later versions had a price increase of $600 and Got BlueCrise for 3 years. Early buyers have been promised OTA with BlueCruise. The cost is supposed to be $600 for 3 years.

 

[vandy1981]

It's possible Ford will also increase battery capacity for MY23 and/or MY24, if they don't they may end up taking a sales hit vs the Silverado.

Ford made a marginal increase in the usable capacity of the MME for MY2022. It's doesn't appear that this will be retroactively applied to MY2021, although I bet that the extra capacity was via BECM update and didn't involve any hardware changes in the battery pack.

Other changes were software changes that can be applied retroactively via OTA update or were cosmetic in nature.

I would assume it would be similar for the F150L. I doubt they will make any major mechanical changes between model years and any options changes will be cosmetic or will be allowance for more stand-alone options like the OP speculated.

Doesn't make a lot of sense to update the platform over the next few years with so much demand with a lack of competition, especially since a major revamp on a completely new platform is due in 3-4 years.

 

[Nick Gerteis]

Those of us that got early MMEs, before BlueCruise was ready didn't have to pay for it and got $100 credit at purchase. Later versions had a price increase of $600 and Got BlueCrise for 3 years. Early buyers have been promised OTA with BlueCruise. The cost is supposed to be $600 for 3 years.

Thank you, that’s not bad at all.

 

[astricklin]

Ford made a marginal increase in the usable capacity of the MME for MY2022. It's doesn't appear that this will be retroactively applied to MY2021, although I bet that the extra capacity was via BECM update and didn't involve any hardware changes in the battery pack.

Other changes were software changes that can be applied retroactively via OTA update or were cosmetic in nature.

I would assume it would be similar for the F150L. I doubt they will make any major mechanical changes between model years and any options changes will be cosmetic or will be allowance for more stand-alone options like the OP speculated.

Doesn't make a lot of sense to update the platform over the next few years with so much demand with a lack of competition, especially since a major revamp on a completely new platform is due in 3-4 years.

From some of the interviews with the Ford engineers, I believe that some of the extra range came due to weight savings because of actual changes to the hardware on the vehicle. I believe they made some changes to the battery cooling system and possibly other areas as well. I'll have to see if I can find the video.

 

[RickLightning]

I might end up getting a MY22 invitation but I am also considering pushing my back all the way up to MY24, possibly waiting until the 2nd gen. I agree that there will be more options. One thing I am still taking into consideration is that Ford won't update previous gens EV to meet the battery capabilities of the new gens even though there is no difference. I believe Ford updated the EV range on the MY22 Mach-E but said they would not provide a software update to the 1st gen. I not sure what to do at this point.

No, that's incorrect. 2021s have already had range updates, and usable battery capacity is also going to happen.

 

[F150ROD]

No, that's incorrect. 2021s have already had range updates, and usable battery capacity is also going to happen.

Great and about time.

 

[JSJ]

Do with think they’ll eventually add the ER battery to the Pro? I’m going to extend my reservation from 22 to 23 in hopes of getting a Pro and would really love for it to be ER. Wishful thinking I know.

 

[Kev12345]

add a heat pump for more winter range

 

[RavenYZF-R6]

Do with think they’ll eventually add the ER battery to the Pro? I’m going to extend my reservation from 22 to 23 in hopes of getting a Pro and would really love for it to be ER. Wishful thinking I know.

I think they will but it probably won’t be next year. Probably 2024. They already have the year stacked up as far as reservations. No real need to add it yet and it will save the ERs for the more expensive trims.

 

[Fordskeptic]

I don't think Ford will add ER to the Pro, until there is competition which forces their hand.....time will tell.

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