Visteon Corporation, the only global Tier 1 automotive supplier solely focused on the digital cockpit market, has introduced an all-new digital cluster for the 2021 Ford F-150, which has begun rolling out of the Ford Rouge Center plant.

Leaving the traditional gauge design behind and establishing bold interface enhancements with cutting-edge HMI, Visteon’s solution refreshes the model’s cockpit with a contemporary shape – integrating high resolution graphics that deliver realistic drive modes for a wide range of roads, environments and weather conditions.

Implementing a comprehensive internal restyle, the all-new F-150 continues to stand out from the crowd in the busy North and South American pick-up markets. Visteon’s 12.4-inch digital cluster forms an integral element on an in-car user experience that takes visual aesthetics to the next level, while prioritizing safety and connectivity for all vehicle occupants.

Visteon says its complex automotive-grade system provides leading software powered by Rightware’s Kanzi architecture. The powerful Kanzi UI framework progresses the F-150’s traditional round-gauge instrument panel design to a high-quality vehicle model, allowing the collaboration between Ford and Visteon to deliver a complete user experience innovation platform that enables a truly advanced user interface.

Incorporating a large information-on-demand panel, the solution includes truck-specific graphics and animations that respond to the F-150’s selectable drive modes – as well as displaying off-roading data and turn-by-turn navigation. 

For selected variants of Ford's all-new F-150, the automaker also enlisted the support of Visteon as a provider of its telematics control unit (TCU). The TCU provides an embedded modem delivering remote vehicle functions including lock and unlock, start and cancel start, and conditioning; as well as wifi hotspot and fleet telematics.

Visteon also provides a scalable audio solution for the F-150 and other global Ford models with its latest generation audio head unit (AHU), which works seamlessly in conjunction with Ford’s Sync 4 infotainment system. The AHU not only provides audio from traditional sources, but offers a customized vehicle experience with vehicle specific chimes, engine sound enhancement (ESE) and network interfaces enabling branded audio solutions across trim levels.

“This first fully digital cluster on the all-new F-150 represents a major breakthrough in a lucrative market segment where Visteon holds significant influence. Possessing a proud history of supporting Ford’s popular truck with pioneering cluster technology, Visteon is setting the benchmark for cockpit electronics technology as the industry migrates to a digital future and helping to maintain a long-term partner’s position at the forefront of automotive innovation and design,” says

Sachin Lawande, president & CEO, Visteon

Visteon says Ford’s transition to a fully digital interface once again illustrates Visteon’s state-of-the-art capabilities and delivery of platform enhancements that are helping to drive the future of the cluster segment. With the expertise to provide leading 2D/3D graphics, software-over-the-air upgrades and full support for the automaker’s vehicle network, Visteon consistently demonstrates the intuitive approach that makes it is the market share leader for clusters in the auto industry.

Visteon has supplied innovative driver information technology in the F-150 cockpit since 2000.