Ford creates a Tremor

Ford surprised the industry this week with the unveiling of the 2014 F-150 Tremor – the first short-wheelbase F-150 to be fitted with an EcoBoost engine.

It is powered by Ford's 3.5-litre EcoBoost V-6, which is said to offer V-8 performance, V-6 fuel economy. It also features what Ford calls a "launch-optimized" 4.10:1 rear axle with electronic locking differential to enhance acceleration.

The V-6 is rated at 365 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 420 lb-ft of torque at 2,500 rpm, on regular fuel. Up to 90% of that peak torque is said to be available from 1,700 rpm to 5,000 rpm.

That it has enough grunt to churn the tires on launch is in no doubt as the accompanying photo attests. Ford projects 0-to-96 km/h (0-to-60 mph) acceleration in the six-second range.

The Tremor will be available only in short-wheelbase, regular-cab form – a configuration that accounts for less than 5% of all F- Series sales.

But, as the company has demonstrated in the past with its Lightning models, there is a market for such road-oriented sport trucks. It will play the same role on-road that the Raptor does off-road.

Tremor's features include an FX Appearance Package, a floor shifter, class-exclusive HID headlamps and standard SYNC with MyFord Touch connectivity system. Its distinctive appearance features flat-black accents, 20-inch flat-black wheels, stylized Tremor bodyside graphics and black badges with red lettering.

It is the only regular-cab F-150 with a flow-through centre console and bucket seats. Other interior touches include black leather seating surfaces with Alcantara seat inserts and red piping, brushed-metal accents and a red-stitched steering wheel.

The Tremor will go on sale this fall, in both rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive form.