What’s the first thing you notice that’s different about the 2013 Ford F-150 based on this photo of the XLT model? Sure thing, the new front-end styling makes an impression, as the 2013 F-150 lineup has bold new grilles and fresh designs! It sure has come a long way since the first Ford F-Series pickup – the F-1 – in 1948!

The F-150 also gains new 18- and 20-inch wheels by way of various trim packages. And new colors await you: Blue Jeans Metallic, Kodiak Brown Metallic and Ruby Red Clearcoat Metallic.

Here are some other cool changes you’ll want to check out: The F-150 has available new high-intensity discharge projector headlamps. There are also segment-exclusive power-telescoping and power-folding trailer-tow sideview mirrors. Inside, the aggressive FX Appearance Package now adds Alcantara seat inserts, while the Platinum series – which has come to define the notion of high-end trucks – offers new choices of Black or Pecan leather seating.

There’s also availability of the EcoBoost® engine, the powerful 6.2-liter V8, an electronic-locking rear axle and Hill Descent Control™.

The F-150 adds the SYNC® voice-activated communications and entertainment system with 911 Assist™ and Vehicle Health Report as standard equipment in XLT series models and above. This enables hands-free, voice-activated control of enabled mobile devices. SYNC is paired with a new 4.2-inch liquid crystal display (LCD) center-stack screen that provides enhanced displays of audio and climate-control functions. In addition, the instrument cluster contains an additional 4.2-inch driver-configurable LCD productivity screen, including menus for gauge setup, trip computer, fuel economy and towing/off-road applications.

Lariat, King Ranch®, Platinum and Limited series models are equipped with SYNC with MyFord Touch®, adding voice control to more vehicle systems coupled with an all-new, large 8-inch LCD color touch screen mounted in the center stack. This package adds a media hub with two USB ports, an SD card reader and audio/video input jacks.

By the way, did you catch that? A Limited? Yep, the F-150 now is available in a new Limited luxury model.

Back to performance: Each engine across the F-150 lineup is mated to a fuel-saving electronic six-speed automatic transmission with tow/haul mode, with tow packages and STX series and above adding SelectShift® capability. The engine choices include the 3.7-liter V6, the 5.0-liter V8, the 6.2-liter V8, and the 3.5-liter EcoBoost® V6.

Pretty exciting stuff for the new 2013 pickup!

And did you know that Ford has been a continuous sponsor of the National Future Farmers of America (FFA) Organization since 1948? “Farm families have always represented an important F-Series truck constituency,” said Doug Scott, Ford Truck Group Marketing Manager. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their leadership potential, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The FFA alliance gets a boost from supporting Ford dealerships serving agricultural markets. For the 2011-12 academic year, the Built Ford Tough® Scholarship Program and 285 participating Ford dealers awarded a total of 540 individual $1,000 grants for post-secondary education.

Now in its 15th year, the Built Ford Tough Scholarship Program and participating Ford dealers have awarded $6.7 million in grants.