We might think our new Ford Ranger is big but in the good ol' US of A, they do things considerably bigger.
The Ford F-150 might not be on its way here any time soon, but given that it's one of the world's best selling vehicles of all time, and still the US chart topper with over 500 000 sold last year, it's worth a look-in.
Ford has just revealed the 2013 F-150, which receives a new front-end design with a new range of grilles and available HID projector headlights as well as redesigned 18- and 20-inch wheels.
The F-150's engine range is not something we'd be very familiar with. American pick-up truck buyers are not interested in turbodiesels or seemingly any kind of engine that doesn't drive up global crude oil prices, although Ford does describe its turbocharged V6 petrol as being 'downsized' and 'efficient'.
The 'baby' of the range is a 3.7-litre petrol V6 that produces 225kW and 376Nm. It also boasts 'best in class' urban fuel consumption of 'only' 13.84 litres per 100km.
Next up in the pecking order is a 5-litre V8 with 268kW but those seeking something more efficient in this class can opt for that aforementioned EcoBoost turbo V6, credited with 272kW and 569Nm. Its urban fuel consumption of 14.7 l/100km is “unsurpassed” according to Ford.
Now that we've got the engines for wimps out of the way, it's worth mentioning the big daddy of the range - Ford's 6.2-litre V8, which with its two-valve, single-overhead-cam configuration will seem cutting edge to anyone who lives in a 1960s time warp.
It sure has guts though, with outputs of 306kW and 588Nm of twist, enough to enable a best-in-class towing capacity of 5125kg. Its official urban fuel consumption figure of 18.09 litres per 100km is sure to get oil sheikhs jumping with joy.
However, we'd hate to know how inefficient its competitors are considering what F-150 marketing manager Raj Sarkar said at the launch: “The 2013 Ford F-150 adds more style and technology that sets a benchmark for capability and efficiency in light-duty pickups.” So this little bakkie is both efficient and light-duty?
At least it's quite advanced in the realm of cabin gadgets. Inside the new pick-up customers will find Ford's advanced Sync voice-activated communications and entertainment system available with services like traffic information, business search and so forth.