2014 Ford F-150 Tremor

Though the SVT Lightning is but a distant memory, Ford has recently revived the sport truck genre, this time turning to V6 EcoBoost power. Engineered to make the earth shake, this is the new 2014 F-150 Tremor. As we await the arrival of the next generation, aluminum clad F-150 later this year, Ford has concocted a plan to ensure the 2014 model finishes strong. Meet the Tremor. It starts life as an F-150 FX2 which includes the FX Appearance Package with flat-black accents, 20" wheels, bodyside graphics and black badges with red lettering. It's available only as a 2-door, regular cab with a 6-1/2' box and though mine is 2-wheel drive 4-wheel drive is an option. And for the first time in a short-wheelbase F-150, power is delivered exclusively by a 3.5-liter turbocharged V6. This EcoBoost engine delivers the goods -- rated at 365 horsepower and a mighty 420 pound-feet of torque using regular gas at the rate of 16mpg city/22mpg highway with the standard 6-speed automatic transmission. The Tremor is also backed by the shortest rear end gearing offered with this engine, using a 4.10 axle to generate tire spinning acceleration. And though Ford admonishes you to never use it on dry pavement, an electronic locking rear differential comes standard to help transmit that power to the ground. Other Tremor details include a flow-through center console -- the only regular cab F-150 to do so -- super comfortable black leather bucket seats with Alcantara inserts featuring red piping and brushed-metal accents. For about an additional $2,000 my tester also benefits from the Tremor Plus Package including navigation for the standard MyFord Touch with Sync system, a rear view camera with reverse sensing system -- a helpful feature in a truck of this size, a trailer brake controller for more confident towing, and the very cool tailgate step with stowable bed extender. The box is deep and finished here with the optional Spray-In-Bed liner so though it's marketed as a sport truck, the Tremor still has the functionality to get work done. Don't let the name fool you. The Tremor is as civilized and as docile as big trucks come with one of the quietest cabins you'll find, cars included. It's not at all what I expected but as long as this regular cab, 2-seat configuration doesn't affect your plans it's a great truck. And these 20" Pirelli Scorpion STR tires provide SUV-like handling and a quiet ride so driving on any type of road is a joy. But as a sport truck, it definitely needs more sound. Considering this generation is in its final model year, the F-150 has held up remarkably well still delivering one of the most capable, smoothest riding trucks on the market. But the TRD exhaust on the Toyota Tundra for example makes this Ford sound wimpy by comparison. If you're going to call it Tremor then you'd better add more quake. Though its appeal is limited by its take-it-or-leave-it configuration, there is some storage behind the seats and the center console is huge. Payload is capped at just over 1,500 pounds and towing at 8,000 pounds. My 4X2 Ruby Red Tremor with the aforementioned upgrades stickers for $43,185. A stylish, solid rig that could use some more bark to authenticate its bite.