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2013 Ford F-150 (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)
Alan Mulally, the charismatic president and CEO of Ford Motor Company who steered the company through difficult economic times to reclaim its status as an American success story, made a trip to the Green Family Campgrounds in Bruceville, a few miles south of Waco in North Central Texas, on June 4.
Mulally was there to meet with 100 specially chosen Future Farmers of America (FFA) leaders from across Texas, both to celebrate Ford’s 65-year relationship with the organization and to unveil the 2013 Ford F-150 for this select group.
Also attending the unveiling of the new light-duty pickup were a number of area Ford dealers, along with members of the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). TAWA members have chosen the Ford F-150 as the Texas Truck of the Year several times, most recently in 2011.
Four FFA students helped Mulally unveil two Ford F-150 trucks, with both models being enthusiastically greeted by loud applause and whistles. They showcased updated front-end design and such advanced technologies as MyFord Touch voice-activated driver controls and high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps.
The interior of the F-150 (Courtesy of Ford Motor Company)
Mulally said they wanted to launch the F-150—part of the best-selling line of pickups in America (and Texas)—with the agricultural professionals and leaders of tomorrow. Ford Motor Company has sponsored the FFA since 1948, providing $7.1 million in Built Ford Tough scholarships to their students since 1997.
Farm families have always represented an important F-Series truck constituency.
— Ford president and CEO Alan Mulally
“Farm families have always represented an important F-Series truck constituency,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck group marketing manager and FFA sponsor board member, who also attended the Texas launch.
“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.”
The 2013 Ford F-150 adds a new Limited luxury model plus the available EcoBoost engine, a powerful 6.2-liter V8, electronic-locking rear axle, and Hill Descent Control features. The bold new grille designs were highlighted on the XLT model revealed at the launch. The HID projector headlamps also contributed a distinctive new look with their stylish L-shaped lamps.
The F-150 engine lineup has four choices, including a 3.7-liter four-valve Ti-VCT V6 with 302 hp at 6,500 rpm, and best in class 17 mpg in town and 23 on the highway for the 4×2, plus 6,100 pounds maximum trailer tow.
The 5.0-liter four-valve dual-overhead camshaft Ti-VCT V8 produces best in class 360 hp at 5,500 rpm, 21 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in town (4×2) and 10,000 pounds maximum trailer tow.
The 6.2-liter two-valve single-overhead-camshaft V8 boasts best in class 411 HP at 5,500 rpm, 434 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, 24 mpg city and 18 on the highway (4×2), and 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow.
The 3.5-liter Ti-VCT Eco-Boost engine gets 365 hp at 5,000 rpm using regular fuel, with best in class 420 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm (up to 90 percent peak torque from 1,700 to 5,000 rpm), best-in-class 11,300 pounds maximum trailer tow, 3,120 pounds payload and 16 mpg city, 22 mpg highway.
The F-150 trucks are offered with 18” or 20” wheels and various trim packages, and three new hues that include my personal fave, Blue Jeans Metallic, plus Kodiak Brown and Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic.
Lariat, King Ranch, Platinum, and Limited series come equipped with SYNC with MyFord Touch, which includes an 8” LCD color touchscreen mounted in the center stack, a media hub with two USB ports, an SD card reader, and audio/video input jacks. Premium systems can also add voice-activated Nav System, point of interest storage, and integrated Sirius XM Travel Link.
The 2013 F-150 trucks will be available in dealerships this fall, and pricing will be available later this summer.
Jo Ann Holt is a journalist and auto writer based in Dallas, Texas, and a member of Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA).
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