Spy Video Catches Diesel Ford F-150 Pickup A Year Before Reveal

Keen to stay abreast of competitors, Ford plans to launch a diesel version of its bedrock F-150 pickup next year—and the proof comes from this video caught on the streets near its headquarters.

While heavy-duty pickups have long relied on diesel engines for maximum hauling and towing, they were seen as too expensive and unnecessary for the light-duty or half-ton market. That is, until fuel economy rules and an arms’ race in towing specs made smaller diesels attractive for everyday pickup owners.