2013 Ford F-150 First Drive
Ford rolls out King Ranch, Platinum and Limited models at Texas State Fair; more premium options for those seeking high-end luxury look and feel
With the outside temps nearing triple digits, it’s nice to slide into the driver’s seat and feel the cool touch of leather on Levis. A simple touch of the digital display and the passenger’s derrière is just as comfy.
Air-coniditoned seats are just one of a long, long laundry list of features found in the upper-end 2013 F-150s.
“Navigate.“
A moment later a soothing female voice confirms my request and the MyFord Touch screen in the 2013 F-150 Lariat 4×4 SuperCrew I’m driving changes back to a split-screen map showing the route back to our hotel in downtown Dallas. The 8″ screen is bright and easy to see.
“Fuel prices.“
We are out in what appears to be the middle of Texas countryside, yet my invisible co-driver responds and within seconds a list of the six closest gas stations appears along with the price of regular unleaded listed by each.
Should I need fuel, all I’d have to do is touch the station of my choice and the navi system would lead the way.
Projector beam headlights, new grill, F-250 towing mirrors, and other trim changes set the 2013 F-150s apart form the old model.
But fuel isn’t an issue. The EcoBoost V-6 and six-speed automatic in this truck are just as efficient in managing fuel as they are delivering 365 ponies to pull the 8,000-pound horse trailer in tow (Max towing capacity is 11,300 pounds.)
The onboard mpg readout is sitting at 9.8, which isn’t that bad when you consider the load and rolling terrain. Unladen that number jumps to 19 and change running the Texas interstates at 75mph.
It’s easy to imagine a contractor or construction company owner sitting where I am, towing a piece of equipment to a jobsite or a nice boat for a weekend family outing.
This 2013 F-150 SuperCrew would fit the bill nicely; pick the up-scale trim level of your liking and you’ll find it loaded with every amenity you can think of in a pickup short of a butler and HD TV.
Of course, there’s a $54,000 price tag on the truck I’m driving to pay for such luxury and prestige–and it’s not even the top of the Ford F-150 offerings.
But that seems to be a small price to pay for a truck that delivers both luxury and performance in such a refined package.
I can’t wait to spend more time behind the wheel of the new King Ranch, Platinm and the Limited, all three luxury level models that will appeal to those who feel the blasé Lariat isn’t quite the look they want.
“The F-150 Limited signifies the highest levels of design refinement, luxury and technology that we’ve ever offered in a Built Ford Tough pickup truck,” said Ford Group Vice President for Product Development, Raj Nair.
“The F-150 Limited reflects a growing trend – more and more customers today have high expectations for luxury and convenience, yet their needs call for a truly capable truck.”
Ford is out to make a statement and the 2013s appear to be doing just that. – Pro
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