Ford is introducing the 2013 SVT Raptor and the F-150 Limited, the latest versions of the world’s best-selling pickup.
2013 SVT Raptor: The latest from Dearborn’s Special Vehicle Team features an industry first: forged aluminum conventional wheels that owners can upgrade to beadlocks that mechanically clamp the tire’s bead to the wheel rim for extra security when operating in an off-road environment where low tire pressure is an advantage.
Raptor’s new wheels represent a true innovation because converting from conventional rim to beadlock only requires unbolting the standard outer decorative ring, dismounting the tire from its regular position and then remounting the tire in the lock-enabled position with Ford Racing’s available beadlock ring kit.
It’s the first OEM wheel with both conventional and beadlock-mounting abilities and Ford has filed for a patent on the system.
“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 – and stays tight – when returning to the road.”
Raptor buyers also can opt for high-intensity discharge (HID) headlamps that are brighter and whiter than standard lamps and a new earth-tone exterior finish called Terrain. A rear view camera is now available, as well.
The 2013 SVT Raptor is equipped with unique leather and cloth-trimmed seats featuring Raptor-specific bolsters to keep the driver and first-row passenger firmly in place, regardless of terrain conditions. There’s also Ford’s SYNC infotainment system with a new 4.2-inch multifunction LCD screen in the instrument cluster for the MyFord driver connect technology. Customers can upgrade to MyFord Touch with an eight-inch center stack touch screen with five-way controls mounted on the steering wheel.
Ford says year-to-date Raptor sales are up 20 percent compared to the first five months of 2011.
“Ford F-150 SVT Raptor’s popularity continues to grow based on its proven reputation,” said Ford SVT Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi. “It’s the ultimate high-performance off-road pickup, so it’s critical that we continue to push the boundaries of off-road capability. New available beadlock wheels help to improve Raptor’s performance in soft sand and other challenging conditions, enabling our customers to go further.”
F-150 Limited: This is Ford’s new statement on pickup luxury for 2013. The Limited fulfills the desires of the customers and dealers interested in exclusivity and fine craftsmanship. The new premium model surpasses the Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum.
“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.”
Today, more than 30 percent of F-150 sales are from high-end trim levels, with MSRPs reaching almost $50,000.
The 2013 Ford F-150 Limited is offered only in the SuperCrew four-door cab configuration with a monochromatic exterior in Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat, Tuxedo Black Metallic or White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat. The monochromatic theme extends to body-color front and rear bumpers, front bumper valance, sideview mirror caps, wheel-lip molding, upper fascia and grille surround. Contrasting chrome highlights the bold three-bar grille, tie-down hooks lining the cargo box, the single tip of the tuned exhaust and the tow hooks on 4×4 variants. “LIMITED” dimensional lettering accents the box sides.
In addition, the Limited has exclusive 22-inch polished aluminum wheels and center caps and segment-first standard HID headlamps with F-150 insignias.
The interior features red and black full-grain leather-trimmed seats with cooling and heating and memory for the seating preferences for two different drivers. Head restraints are four-way-adjustable and second-row seats are heated, too.
There is aluminum trim on the center panel and console and ambient lighting in five colors to set the mood. A moonroof is standard as is a rear view camera. A power-sliding rear window features privacy tint and defrost functionality.
The Limited package includes MyFord Touch and SYNC and a Sony audio system.
The F-150 Limited has one engine choice: the 3.5-liter Ti-VCT EcoBoost that makes 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm. Ford says as much as 90 percent of the torque is available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm. The engine is mated to an electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode. Otehr standard features include a trailer tow package, trailer brake controller, Reverse Sensing System, power-deployable running boards and a 110-volt power inverter.
Deliveries of the new Limited are scheduled for this fall.
