New 2013 Ford F-150 improves upon perfect

The best-selling vehicle in America year after year is the Ford F-150 and the new 2013 model is likely to continue that trend. The Ford pickup owner is your husband, your dentist, your electrician, your mother-in-law and your mayor. No other vehicle has such a diverse and large ownership demographic. However the image they all like about the F-150 is that it is tough. “Built Ford Tough” as the advertisement has burned into our psyche. So Ford chose a group of agricultural leaders who are part of Future Farmers of America (FFA) in Bruceville, TX with which to share the launch of the 2013 F-150. In a press release, Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager and FFA sponsor board member states “Farm families have always represented an important F-Series truck constituency. 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.”

F-150 Appearance Changes for 2013
As you walk up to the new Ford F-150 it is the front end treatment that you will notice. Shown in the photo here on the XLT model, the grill is assertive looking and is the multi-blade razor design surrounded with a full, thick chrome picture frame. Optional HID headlamps are now available, a first for the segment. The lower fascia has a butch looking plastic bumper pair surrounding space for a tow loop, or even a winch. 18 and 20 inch optional wheels are available as is the trend. New metallic colors are named after cool-rugged themes such as Kodiak Brown, Blue Jeans, and Ruby Red Clearcoat. The mirrors stick out like Opie’s ears and are power telescoping and power folding.

Information Technology Improvements
The biggest changes to the 2013 Ford F-150 are inside. Ford has adapted the information technology available through its Synch system to this vehicle by allowing operation of it while wearing work gloves. The new Synch system’s information, HVAC, and entertainment menus are viewed through a 4.2 inch center stack screen. In the instrument cluster area behind the wheel is another 4.2 inch screen that displays information related to towing and driving. May Ford have wisely used the same screen in both locations to double up volume and keep cost down? It is a safe bet.

The top four trims come with My Ford Touch to augment the Synch and upgrades the system to include voice activated controls. The center stack screen is about twice as large with this upgrade. Media inputs via a USB port and other interfaces allow for unlimited connectivity.

Seats include Alcantara, or leather in Black or Pecan.

Ford F-150 Engine and Drivetrain Options
Ford is pushing the torquey V6 Ecoboost engine, but there is really no bad choice. The two V8s are both powerful and around town all the engines only get mid-teens for fuel economy, so choosing the base 6 cylinder to save gas is not really going to make the buyer happy long-term. The words “Best-in-class” precede pretty much every specification in the long list Ford provides in its press release about its engines. Suffice it to say that with four to choose from, and all of them solid, there is little risk of buyer’s remorse.

The 2013 Ford F-150 is moving forward with evolutionary changes and new technology inside that will keep the party faithful coming back for more of what they always liked.