We already knew that there were plenty of changes in store for the 2013 Ford F-150, but today Ford announced more big news for America's best-selling pickup truck. The 2013 model year marks the return of the F-150 Limited with this ultra-luxurious model picking up any slack from those missing the Lincoln-badged trucks. On the dirtier side of things, the F-150 SVT Raptor is getting its fair share of updates improving the truck's styling and off-road ability.
The last time we saw a Ford F-150 Limited was in 2008, and since then, luxurious models such as the Platinum and King Ranch models have come along seemingly to replace this range-topping trim level. For 2013, Ford proves there was still more luxury to be crammed into the F-150 with the new Limited getting just about every feature you'd expect in a luxury sedan without giving up the payload or towing abilities expected from a pickup truck. From the outside, the 2013 Ford F-150 Limited will be easy to spot with its distinct 22-inch wheels, standard HID headlights and a monochromatic look delivered by the body-color accents on the front and rear bumpers, grille and door mirrors. Mimicking the lettering of the Harley-Davidson F-150, the Limited has its trim level spelled out at the trailing edge of each bed rail, and other standard exterior features include power folding mirrors with puddle lights, power retractable running boards. For added exclusivity, the F-150 Limited will only be offered in the SuperCrew body style and three exterior colors: Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Tuxedo Black Metallic and White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat
Inside, Ford promises that the F-150 Limited will be the most refined version of the pickup yet, and buyers will see this immediately upon opening the door as they are welcomed by full-grain leather in black or red, real aluminum trim with piano black accents, standard moonroof and all the latest technologies that Ford offers. The front bucket seats offer both heated and cooled functions and unique Limited badges in the seatback, rear passengers get heated seats, and the whole interior is finished off with a unique gauge cluster, a unique vehicle identification badge on the center console lid and all of the latest Ford technologies including rain-sensing wipers, MyFord Touch and a media hub. All 2013 Ford F-150 Limited are powered solely by the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V-6, and Ford has even added sport-tuned suspension dampers for a more dynamic ride quality.
“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.”
For those who don't think there is a market for such luxury in the pickup truck segment, Ford says that 30 percent of its F-150 sales come from trim levels priced at more than $35,000 which include models like the Lariat, FX4, SVT Raptor, King Ranch, Platinum and Harley-Davidson. As far as pricing goes, Ford has not made any official announcement for the 2013 F-150 Limited, and while we can guarantee that it will start above the F-150 Platinum's $44,635 starting price, it will be interesting to see where it is priced compared to the F-150 Harley-Davidson.
Ford definitely has the luxury truck buyer in mind with the new F-150 Limited, but when it comes to off-roading, the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is the truck for the job. Raptor sales are up 20 percent year-over-year in 2012, and to draw in ever more truck buyers, a few enhancements were made to this off-road performance truck. To make the SVT Raptor an even better off-road truck, new wheels for 2013 will allow buyers to upgrade to a beadlock design as an option through Ford Racing. Apparently, this optional beadlock ring and forged-aluminum wheel design is so unique that Ford has filed patents on its design. The ring bolts onto the wheel and clamps the tire bead and wheel edge together to allow drivers to reduce tire pressures for optimal traction in rocky or sandy areas without worrying about the tire falling off the wheel.
"Raptor's exclusive beadlock wheels give the customer the best of both on- and off-road worlds," said Adam Wirth, SVT chassis engineer. "Tire inflation can be dropped to a very low threshold for maximum traction under extreme conditions, yet holds tight when returning to the road."
Aside from the new wheels, the F-150 SVT Raptor is also getting an upgraded interior - like all other 2013 F-150 models - to include the new 4.2-inch multifunciton screen (or the optional MyFord Touch system), and it can now be equipped with an optional Luxury Package. Finally, the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor is still offered in the same five colors as the 2012 model, but now it adds a Raptor-exclusive color, Terrain, that Ford says was inspired by desert camouflage. Like some of the other high-end F-150 models, the SVT Raptor can also be equipped with HID headlights finished in a unique black trim. Pricing or availability of the 2013 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor were not announced.