From the looks of these spy photos of the 2013 Ford F-150, it would appear that Ford is well aware of what year it is and how long it's been since Chevy released a new Silverado.
Yesterday we had the first spy photos of the 2014 Chevy Silverado, a new truck we'll see sometime in 2013. Ford doesn't want to give up the sales lead anytime soon, though, and one of the ways they'll be competing for your attention is with a facelift of the F-150.
This new look is a slightly less brawny clone of the heavy-duty Ford trucks and includes the big, bold bars across the grille and what looks to be more chrome in the headlights. People love chrome.
Compare this F-150 against the 2011 F-150 and the 2011 F-350 after the jump.
gloss says:
10:31 AM, 11/ 9/11
Looks like the same headlight design as the facelifted Flex. I like it.
roar02ram says:
10:33 AM, 11/ 9/11
It makes sense that Ford would just refresh the truck instead of redesigning it, but gee-whiz, come on! This (too heavy) platform's been rolling around since 2004! A refresh in 2013 implies that it'll soldier on for what, another 3 years after that? That's a 12 year haul for this engineering, and, IMO, symptomatic of what got Ford into this pickle in the first place. The same could be said for the circa 1999 Volvo platform that underpins lots of bigger Fords, too. Rant done.
bodyblue says:
11:49 AM, 11/ 9/11
There is only so much money Ford had to spend on new models. The F 150 is the best selling vehicle in the US and probably will be for a long time. (and the Ram and GM guys HATE that fact) Ford will keep tinkering with it to keep it competitive until they have the money for a full re design. But Ford is blowing away the other companies in gasoline engine choice...and has been for a couple of model years now....that alone is keeping the F150 at the top of most buyers lists.
altimadude05 says:
01:48 PM, 11/ 9/11
They lowered the front fenders and sides of the hood about an inch from the top on the new truck. Trying to be less block-ish?
mustanggt90210 says:
07:25 PM, 11/ 9/11
The 2 bar grille on the super duties looks like ass. And now they're gonna put it on the F150? Looks even worse too, because they're clearly keeping the full chrome surround that goes up on to the hood.
Please go back to grilles that don't make the truck look buck toothed, and I will thank you.
This coming from an '91 F150 driver
firstwagon says:
07:26 PM, 11/ 9/11
"People love chrome. "
Not me. Seems to me if you need to drive something so big you would want it to stand out less, not more.
gregbird says:
12:48 AM, 11/10/11
When are the "Big Three" gonna learn that chrome isn't as cool as it used to be. When I was younger, I thought it meant you got the cheap model because you couldn't afford the paint, then everyone started using that black plastic on the lower models. I would rather have the unpainted plastic. Not to mention the horrible glare that it gives to other drivers. Chrome is easily added aftermarket for those who want it. It's a little harder to get painted pieces, without having them done. I'm currently saving up the money to replace the wheels on my Charger because I am not of the chrome, especially the plastic stuff that passes for "chrome clad" now days, and the grill will be replaced before long if I get my way.
vantageman says:
05:56 AM, 11/10/11
lol this thing has been refreshed how many times now, Ford does more facelifts than a 40 year old actress. It kinda makes senes though if they can keep people buying the cars with minimal investment on their party from a profit standpoint thats better than throwing billions into development before going into the positive on the last investment. The Mustang is the same basic car it has been since what 2005, and the 2005 mustang with a couple refreshes its time to start over but hey again if you can convince people to keep buying them without investing alot hey why not.
greenpony says:
08:22 AM, 11/10/11
I could have sworn the F-150 was "fully redesigned" in 2009, not just "refreshed".
rayzor says:
09:08 AM, 11/10/11
I really like the current F150s except the price, a fully loaded midlevel trim version can approach $50K! Otherwise, my favorite as far as full sized trucks are concern.
half_ton says:
10:08 AM, 11/10/11
@greenpony
You're correct; the F150 was fully redesigned for the 2009 model year.
The Ram received so much praise for it's rear suspension that I assumed Ford and GM would be trying to scramble and incorporate that desgin into their next full redesigns. I know it's too soon for Ford but we'll see what GM does.
bodyblue says:
02:30 PM, 11/10/11
"You're correct; the F150 was fully redesigned for the 2009 model year. "
But wait! There are several boobs above that claim that the F150 is just re-refreshed year after year....how could they be wrong? Why doesnt Ford listen to these people? Ford only has made the F150 the best selling vehicle in America for two or three decades....what could they know that these genius' dont?
firstwagon says:
08:08 PM, 11/10/11
Is it really the best selling every year or is it just that GM sells it's trucks under two nameplates?
If it is then fine but if all this hype is only on a technicality then lame.
bluejuke says:
12:15 AM, 11/11/11
their engines are easily the best... And imho their bodies are the worst(looks wise) men like thsir trucks to be manly and brash... Or aggressive like a Ram... If it weren't for the engines f150 would be in a world of hurt right now
bodyblue says:
06:06 AM, 11/11/11
"If it weren't for the engines f150 would be in a world of hurt right now"
Not really.....Ford outsold its competitors quite easily even when its engine line up was not nearly so good. Fanboys piss and moan over the fact that Ford is #1 in trucks...they need to get over it.
firstwagon says:
08:33 AM, 11/11/11
I'd still like to see it broken down correctly. To date the F series has sold 468K trucks. The Silverado has sold 333K and it's clone the Sierra has sold 120K.
That's close and I know some years the GM trucks have been ahead. Ford fan boys will never tell you that.
The Dodge has always been the coolest truck but everyone knows that masses don't go for cool or interesting. Witness the Camry and Accord at the top of the car sales list.
urbansophistic says:
11:33 AM, 11/11/11
I personally love the look of the F-250 Super Duty!
cz_75 says:
09:24 PM, 11/11/11
Dodge may be "coolest," but it certainly isn't the best, if the ability to carry loads and reliability are the concerns. Most truck buyers, I would assume, want to do work with them and can't afford to have mechanical issues keeping them from doing that work.