The 2023 Ford F-150 will launch in Australia in mid-2023, Ford Australia has confirmed. Launching in just two models initially with a twin-turbo V6 EcoBoost engine, the F-150 will not be build in right-hand drive at Ford’s North American plants – unlike the Mustang – but instead, they will be converted locally by Australian company RMA Automotive Holdings Pty Ltd.
“We’ve listened hard to fans and dealers and found a way to bring F-150 to Australia. As the pinnacle of ‘Built Ford Tough’, it will give our customers even more choice when they’re in the market for a pick-up. We just can’t wait to unleash it,” said Andrew Birkic, President and CEO, Ford Australia and New Zealand.
“F-150 has been part of F-Series, America’s best-selling vehicle line for the past 40 years, with more than 40 million F-Series Trucks produced to date. With such a local fan base, and with full-size truck sales in Australia tripling in recent years, we just knew we had to find a way to bring it back to Australia.”
Sitting above the recently-revealed new generation Ranger as Ford’s rival to both the Chevrolet Silverado and RAM 1500 – both of which are locally converted for Australian sales as well – the F-150 will launch locally in mid-2023. The only engine option will be a 298kW/678Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive as standard. Its towing capacity is 4,500kg – the same as the RAM 1500 and Silverado.
Measuring 5,885mm long, 2,431mm wide, 1,961mm high and with a 3,693mm long wheelbase, the F-150 is a full 466mm longer than the current Ford Ranger Raptor. Its 4,500kg towing capacity is a one tonne more than the incoming Ranger V6 turbo diesel.
Standard equipment on all local 2023 Ford F-150 variants will include a full suite of active safety equipment, including auto emergency braking (AEB), blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, lane keep assistance, auto high beam, auto rear braking, rear parking sensors and automatic post-collision braking.
All models will also include the new ‘SYNC4’ infotainment system, which will gradually be introduced to all Ford models locally eventually. In the US, other standard kit on the XLT includes an 8.0-inch touchscreen, cruise control, 17-inch alloy wheels and chrome-plated bumper trims.
The upper trim Lariat adds a larger 12.0-inch touchscreen with a 12.0-inch digital driver’s display, leather trim, heated and vented front seats, larger 18-inch wheels, LED lighting and auto wipers.
Ford Australia has only confirmed these two variants so far – upper-spec King Ranch, Platinum, Limited, Tremor and Raptor models are yet to be announced as part of the lineup. Other drivetrains like the 320kW/780Nm hybrid V6 and the all-electric 420kW/1051Nm F-150 Lighting are also yet to be announced for Australia.
The Ford F-150 was last available from factory in Australia in 1993, while the larger F-250 and F-350 (both of which are yet to be confirmed for Australia) were sold here until 2006.
The 2023 Ford F-150 is due in Australia mid-2023 with local pricing and full specifications to be announced before then. Stay tuned to DiscoverAuto for the latest news automotive news and reviews.
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