For XLT model F-150s, SYNC is now standard, but the real news is MyFord Touch being offered for the first time. Having learned from the issues reported when MyFord Touch was first launched a couple of years ago, Ford has smartly equipped the truck version of MFT with more physical controls, so gloved hands can still operate the most often-used functions easily.
Inside, FX trucks (FX2 and FX4, for two-wheel and four-wheel drive, respectively) get Alcantara-trimmed seats, adding to its sport-truck look and feel. Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum both get new interior colors, Steel Gray for Lariat, Black for King Ranch, and Black for Platinum.
With these changes, Ford is hoping to keep the refreshed 2013 RAM 1500 at bay, and with the new technology and styling updates, just might do that. They’ve already got competitive fuel economy numbers out of impressively-powered engines, so it’s really going to come down to a style battle. GM is expected to release their all-new truck in 2013 as a 2014 model, so the Big Three are really into an all-out battle royal for top truck maker.
Ford Reveals 2013 F-150, Celebrating Rugged F-Series Pickups and 65-Year Future Farmers of America Relationship
- Today Ford celebrates introduction of the 2013 F-150, featuring updated design and all-new driver controls technology, with Future Farmers of America (FFA) members, alumni and educators
- Ford Motor Company, a continuous FFA sponsor since 1948, has provided $7.1 million in Built Ford Tough® scholarships to tomorrow’s farmers since 1997
- For 2013, F-150 introduces new front-end styling and advanced technologies such as MyFord Touch® voice-activated driver controls and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps
BRUCEVILLE, Texas, June 4, 2012 – Ford Motor Company today celebrates introduction of the new 2013 Ford F-150 – part of the best-selling line of pickups in America – with the agricultural professionals and leaders of tomorrow.
“Like our hardworking customers, Ford is committed to getting the job done right with our industry-leading trucks,” said Mark Fields, Ford president of The Americas. “The 2013 F-150 demonstrates our commitment to continuously improving our trucks with new features and capabilities, allowing F-Series owners to be increasingly productive.”
For 2013, the Ford F-150 receives new front-end design and advanced technologies such as MyFord Touch® with voice-activated driver controls and available high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.
“Farm families have always represented an important F-Series truck constituency,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager and FFA sponsor board member. “For these multitasking customers, a Ford pickup means family transportation, economic livelihood, rugged capability and reliability. Like FFA, Ford pickups are an enduring agricultural tradition, and we are delighted to join forces with them to reveal the new F-150 models.”
America’s pickup
For 2013, the most fuel-efficient and capable light-duty pickup on the market continues to push forward with updated design and advanced technologies. F-150 also adds even more breadth to its expansive lineup with a new Limited luxury model and availability of the groundbreaking EcoBoost® engine, powerful 6.2-liter V8, electronic-locking rear axle and Hill Descent Control™.
Outside, the F-150 lineup gets bold new grilles combining fresh designs with instantly recognizable F-Series cues highlighted on the XLT model revealed today.
New HID projector headlamps are available as a segment-first technology to deliver improved visibility and increase driver confidence.
HID technology provides exceptional lighting performance while contributing a distinctive look with stylish L-shaped lamps.
F-150 style also is enhanced with new 18- and 20-inch wheels offered in various trim packages.
Segment-exclusive power-telescoping and power-folding trailer-tow sideview mirrors add flexibility and convenience when operating in tight quarters, while enabling class-leading visibility.
F-150 pickups are available in three new hues including Blue Jeans Metallic, Kodiak Brown Metallic and Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic.
Truck-focused technology
The 2013 Ford F-150 adds Ford’s award-winning SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system with 911 Assist® and Vehicle Health Report as standard equipment in XLT series and above. This enables hands-free, voice-activated control of enabled mobile devices.
Buyers may choose from an optional suite of SYNC Services, including Traffic Information, Turn-by-Turn Directions, Business Search, Send to SYNC from Google Maps and MapQuest, News, Sports, Weather and Horoscopes.
F-150 also introduces SYNC paired with a new 4.2-inch LCD center-stack screen that provides enhanced displays of audio and climate-control functions. In addition, the instrument cluster contains a 4.2-inch driver-configurable LCD productivity screen including menus for gauge setup, trip computer, fuel economy and towing/off-road applications.
Lariat, King Ranch®, Platinum and Limited series models are equipped with SYNC with MyFord Touch, adding voice control to more vehicle systems coupled with an all-new, large 8-inch LCD color touch screen mounted in the center stack. This package adds a media hub with two USB ports, an SD card reader and audio/video input jacks.
Ford’s unique truck interface allows drivers to tailor their vehicle to their specific needs, such as wearing work gloves.
This premium system can be augmented with an available voice-activated Navigation System, SD map-card reader, point-of-interest storage and integrated SiriusXM Travel Link.
Interior design
The 2013 F-150 offers a range of interior updates. The new 4.2-inch multifunction display and MyFord Touch interfaces gave designers the opportunity to deliver a more modern center stack and control layout. Several new environment colors include a Steel Gray interior on Lariat and a Black interior for King Ranch. Both of these series receive upgraded wood grain appliqués to enhance premium style.
The aggressive FX Appearance Package now adds Alcantara seat inserts that amplify its sporty persona.
The Platinum series – synonymous with high-end trucks – offers new choices of Black or Pecan leather seating.
F-150 continues to offer a wide array of models and packages, allowing buyers to tailor their Ford pickup to their individual needs and preferences.
Fuel-efficient capability
From the powerful yet fuel-efficient EcoBoost® engine to the mighty 6.2-liter V8, the most powerful eight-cylinder engine in the segment, F-150 offers an engine to meet the needs of every customer. Each engine across the F-150 lineup is mated to a fuel-saving electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode, with tow packages and STX series and above adding SelectShift® capability.
F-150 engine choices include:
3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6
- Best-in-class 302 horsepower at 6,500 rpm
- Unsurpassed 278 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,000 rpm vs. V6 competitors
- Best-in-class 17 mpg city and best-in-class 23 mpg highway (4×2)
- Best-in-class 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. V6 competitors
5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead-camshaft Ti-VCT V8
- Best-in-class 360 horsepower at 5,500 rpm vs. standard V8 competitors
- 21 mpg highway, unsurpassed 15 mpg city (4×2)
- Best-in-class 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. standard V8 competitors
6.2-liter two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8
- Best-in-class 411 horsepower at 5,500 rpm
- Best-in-class 434 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,500 rpm
- 13 mpg city, 18 mpg highway (4×2)
- Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow
3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost engine
- 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm on regular fuel
- Best-in-class 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 2,500 rpm vs. premium V8 competitors
- Up to 90 percent peak torque available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm
- Best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow vs. all competitors
- Best-in-class 3,120 pounds payload vs. all competitors
- Unsurpassed 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway vs. all competitors
“The 2013 Ford F-150 adds more style and technology that sets a benchmark for capability and efficiency in light-duty pickups,” said F-150 Marketing Manager Raj Sarkar. “We continue to focus on the no-compromise solution for our customers, giving them all of the conveniences and technologies they want with the capability they need and the fuel efficiency to go further.”
FFA and Ford – making a difference
Future Farmers of America is a dynamic youth leadership development organization that changes lives by empowering its 540,000 members to set a course for the future. FFA operates within the context of agricultural education to complement classroom and laboratory instruction with hands-on experiential learning, useful life skills and individual motivation.
The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their leadership potential, personal growth and career success through agricultural education.
Ford’s FFA alliance gets a boost from supporting Ford dealerships serving agricultural markets.
For the 2011-12 academic year, the Built Ford Tough® Scholarship Program and 285 participating Ford dealers awarded a total of 540 individual $1,000 grants for post-secondary education.
Now in its 15th year, the Built Ford Tough Scholarship Program, the Ford Fund, and participating Ford dealers have awarded $7.1 million in grants. Built Ford Tough Trucks also sponsors the affiliated National Association of Agricultural Educators (NAAE) Lifetime Achievement Awards and an FFA chapter grant program. In 2011, six winning chapters were each awarded a $3,000 grant to support local initiatives.
Ford has sponsored FFA since 1948, the same year Ford F-Series pickups first went on sale.
While Ford revamped the engine lineup for its F-150 in the 2011 model year, they focused on the truck’s hardware for 2012, including an All-Wheel Drive (AWD) option for its more luxury-oriented trim levels as well as 36 gallon fuel tanks for EcoBoost-equipped trucks. For 2013, the venerable F-150 is getting some styling and technology updates, before a complete redesign is expected to show up for the 2015 model year. Continue reading for a slew of pictures, details and my impressions.
Starting at the front end, the grille gets a more Super Duty (Ford’s 3/4 and 1-ton pickup trucks) appearance. Like it or not, it’s a trend not likely to stop, as GM and RAM both offer giant chrome grilles on their trucks. Also new for the F-150 is optional HID headlamps – a great thing, since the stock headlamps are the only weakness I’ve found so far in my own truck.
Moving rearward, new 18 and 20-inch wheel options will be available, as are power-fold telescoping tow mirrors, the latter of which have been available on Ford’s Super Duty trucks for some time now. Power-folding mirrors are a great boon, especially when parking in tight spaces or on busy city streets.
Three new colors are available – Kodiak Brown Metallic, Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic, and my personal favorite, Blue Jeans Metallic.
