2013 Ford F-150 XL: Ready For Emergency! And Adam-12

Marty Padgett

Editorial Director BIO

Marty Padgett is High Gear Media's Editorial Director, overseeing the words that skim across High Gear Media's portfolio of automotive destinations... More

LATEST ARTICLE
Hyundai Tucson Vs. Nissan Rogue: Compare Cars
In a few short years, what difference. Now, the set of compact crossovers is superior, and some of... Read More

#5LEADERBOARD RANK
5162ARTICLES CONTRIBUTED
111COMMENTS POSTED

1,679 views Jun 11, 2012

Follow Marty

Add to circle

2013 Ford F-150 XL Police

Enlarge Photo

MyFord Touch and other fancy trimmings are set to please the most well-heeled (and booted) owners of the latest 2013 F-150. Now, Ford says a new XL edition will cater to another crowd--firemen, policemen, or any other profession in need of a work truck with lots of custom-order room to play.

The XL Special Service Vehicle (SSV) is aimed at fleets with some specific, high-powered needs. In this case the higher power needed is 220 amps of electrical service--the rating typically found in fire-rescue trucks, police pursuit trucks, national parks service vehicles, and in other utility pickups fielded by those who serve and protect.

Inside, the SSV's seating configuration is set up 40/20/40, but with the console and center section dropped out, which makes it easier for fleets to install their own hardware--radios, gun boxes, laptops and such. Front seats are cloth, while the rear seat is covered in wipe-down, perp-friendly vinyl.

Ford says all the usual options are available on the SSV edition, so local governments and commercial users can spec out their trucks exactly as they see fit. Will we see an F150 with a light bar and MyFord Touch on the auction lots a decade down the road? It's possible, but expect more with off-road hardware or custom storage solutions.

The SSV package is a no-charge upgrade on XL trucks, and can be specified in either the four-door SuperCrew or the access-door SuperCab configuration. It's available on trucks with either Ford's 360-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 or the 365-hp turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6--both come paired with a six-speed automatic--and on trucks with rear- or with four-wheel drive.

For more on the best-selling truck, see our full review of the latest Ford F-150 pickup.