Ford has unveiled a new F-150 Lightning variant called the STX that brings extra range and a rugged attitude to the lineup. The model is likely a response to slipping F-150 Lightning sales and was designed based on customer feedback, the company said. It will replace the current XLT model at the same starting price.Slotting in near the bottom of the lineup after the Lightning Pro, the STX trim offers an upgrade in range and power over the XLT. The new dual motor system delivers 536 horsepower while retaining 775 pound-feet of torque, up from the XLT's 452 horsepower. Range will go up substantially to 290 miles compared to 240 miles on the current model.FordThere are also cosmetic changes for those who want their pick-ups to look rugged. The STX trim adds new off-road wheels, all-terrain tires and running boards borrowed from the F-150 Tremor. It features a new grille, optional black vinyl floor, blue accent lines and STX badging everywhere you look including on the seats. On top of the regular paint options, it will come in two new colors: Argon Blue and Marsh Gray.Ford expects the F-150 Lightning STX to be its top seller next year, according to internal sales projections. "Customers have been asking for a rugged F-150 Lightning with more range than the standard range XLT," said marketing manager Will Marchand in a press release. "Until now, if these owners wanted a rugged F-150 Lightning, they had to turn to the aftermarket to build the truck they wanted." The new model will appear in Ford dealerships early next year starting at $63,345, not including destination charges.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/fords-f-150-lightning-stx-replaces-the-xlt-while-boosting-range-and-power-130846462.html?src=rss

Ford is cutting the price of the 2026 F-150 Lightning by up to $4,000, as confirmed by the automaker to CarsDirect. The price cuts vary by trim, however, and will only apply to more expensive packages for the electric pickup truck. This comes as the $7,500 EV tax credit expired at the end of September.The 2026 model has a starting price of $63,345 for the STX trim, which is the same price as the previous year's entry-level XLT. The STX replaces the XLT and delivers 536 horsepower, up from the XLT's 452, and 290 miles of range, up from 240.The Flash edition will receive the full $4,000 price cut, giving it a new price of $65,995. The Lariat, originally priced at $76,995, will get just a $2,000 haircut and will sell for $74,995. The Platinum edition will be priced at $84,995 and will not cost less.This summer, Ford announced that it would release an affordable midsize all-electric pickup with a starting price of around $30,000 in 2027. The truck would be built on the company's upcoming Ford Universal EV Platform that will be shared by a new family of products. These models would use Ford's upcoming prismatic LFP batteries.As EV-related tax incentives continue to expire, manufacturers will need to reach into their own pockets to deliver value to consumers. This week Tesla announced the Model 3 and Model Y 'Standard' editions, which give up some luxury touches in exchange for price, with both starting at under $40,000. Inflation has also played a large role in car pricing over the last five years, as $40,000 has roughly the same purchasing power as $32,000 in 2020.Ford recently walked back a program that would have enabled dealers to offer a $7,500 tax credit on EV leases even after the expiration of federal subsidies on September 30, as first reported by Reuters. The plan involved having the company's lending arm purchase new EVs out of the brand's dealers' inventory, after which Ford would apply for the tax credit on the vehicles. That credit would then have been considered in the EV lease terms for customers, passing on the savings.GM was set to have a similar program before canceling it earlier this week. According to Reuters sources, GM killed the program after Republican Senator Bernie Moreno of Ohio raised concerns about it. It is unclear why Ford followed suit.Update 11:23 EST: Added more context.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/transportation/evs/ford-is-cutting-the-price-of-the-2026-f-150-lightning-by-up-to-4000-144241504.html?src=rss