Ford Rises to New Levels of Luxury with 2013 F-Series Pickups

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2013 Ford F-Series Pickups/Image by Author

This fall, Ford is bringing a refreshed F-Series lineup to the consumer that will include new top-of-the-line trim levels as well as enhanced technology.

The 2013 F-150 and Super Duty pickups will now feature some exterior and interior refinements along with some new running gear (wheels) while across the board Ford will offer new MyFord Touch and SYNC systems across the entire lineup of new trucks, technology optimized in these platforms for truck owners.

Big Blue Oval gave members of the automotive media a sneak peek (and early drive) of both F-150 and F-250 pickups as they prepare for the largest outdoor auto show at the State Fair of Texas.

Styling enhancements are the first thing one notices when walking up to the 2013 trucks, each with more of a familiar appearance to the other and each line featuring new levels of sophistication and function. New grille bars, headlamp housings and a host of other little details set the new vehicles apart from current models as well as each other.

2013 Ford F-150 LImited/Image by Author

Now topping the F-150 range is the Limited package that soars above the Platinum editions introduced a couple of years ago. Inside the Limited trucks is an absolutely gorgeous red and black leather package that screams luxury and opulence and outside is a new 22-inch factory alloy wheel finished in polished aluminum.

At the King Ranch level (my personal favorite) is all-new leather inside with a trio of exterior body color and chrome packaging for the discerning gentleman (and gentlelady) rancher. King Ranch half-tonners are available in Luxury, Chrome, and Monochromatic packages but all feature new Chaparral leather seating and for the first time King Ranch buyers can opt for a black interior environment (in addition to the traditional Adobe).

2013 Ford F-150 Limited interior/Image courtesy Ford

At the heart of comfort and convenience in the trucks is the MyFord Touch system featuring SYNC driver assistance technology and larger, easier to use redundant buttons that drivers wearing gloves can even manipulate. The system can still be operated via voice control but for the traditionalist (like myself) a “good, old-fashioned” button can allow you to select a radio or climate function to suit your fancy. And yes, touchscreen works quite well, too.

On the work front Ford is adding F-150 to its new “We Own Work” campaign while from a practical standpoint the 2013 F-150 gets the power towing mirrors found on the larger Super Duty trucks.

At the Super Duty level, Ford will begin offering a new Platinum trim level later this fall. Setting this truck above the rest is a new mesh-detailed grille up front and satin-chrome tailgate appliqué at the rear along with new choice of wheels, new Platinum body and interior badging, and a pecan leather trim seat package inside featuring a tuxedo stripe design.

2013 Ford Super Duty Platinum dash/Image courtesy Ford

A new center instrument rack features a larger 8-inch MyFord Touch touchscreen along with new larger redundant radio and climate buttons similar to F-150 models, allowing occupants easier access to popular controls even while wearing work gloves.

Ford has experienced trucks sales leadership for several decades and with the addition of the new trim levels proves they want to remain at the top while offering levels of sophistication once reserved for luxury marques.

Image by Author

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About the Author

David Goodspeed
David was editor of AutoworldToday at Today Newspapers in the Dallas suburbs until its closing in 2009. He was also webmaster and photographer/videographer. He got started doing photography for the newspaper while working as a firefighter/paramedic in one of his towns, and began working for the newspaper group full-time in 1992. David entered automotive journalism in 1998 and became AutoworldToday editor in 2002. On the average, he drives some 100 new vehicles each year. He enjoys the great outdoors and as an avid fly fisherman, as is his spouse Tish. He especially enjoys nature photography and is inspired by the works of Ansel Adams.