Ford F-150 Tremor Aimed at Street-Truck Enthusiasts

DEARBORN, MI – The new ’14 Ford F-150 Tremor sport truck is the result of demand from customers seeking a unique offering that wasn’t already in the auto maker’s lineup.

Unlike the F-150 SVT Raptor, a purpose-built, off-road race truck, the Tremor is meant to appeal to street-truck enthusiasts. The short-wheelbase is powered by a 3.5L direct-injected turbocharged V-6  EcoBoost engine producing 365 hp and 420 lb.-ft. (569 Nm) of torque, and the truck boasts a rear axle with a 4.1 ratio for improved acceleration.

The exterior has flat-black accents, including 20-in. wheels, bodyside graphics and badges with red lettering.

Inside, the Tremor is the only regular-cab F-150 to offer a flow-through center console and bucket seats. Other interior touches include black-leather seating surfaces with red piping, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel.

Doug Scott, Ford's truck group marketing manager, says when the auto maker produced the Raptor, it knew there would be an opportunity for a street truck in the future. “This helps fill that need, and customers were asking for it,” he tells WardsAuto at a media event here.

The Tremor adds some excitement to the F-150 lineup at a time when competitors such as General Motors and Chrysler are launching all-new fullsize pickups. “This is just continuation of that same strategy of bringing new offerings to the market,” Scott says.

The additional buzz should help Ford continue the F-150’s sales momentum, up 22% to 202,145 units through May, according to WardsAuto data.

Scott says F-150 deliveries in part have been fueled by replacement demand, noting the average age of pickups on U.S. roads today exceeds 10 years. Despite this, the trucks are holding their value, which has led to better deals for Ford customers.

[email protected]