2021 Ford F-150 Tremor First Look: Raptor Lite

Ford is expanding the 2021 F-150 lineup with the addition of the Tremor. No, it's not a Raptor, but the 2021 F-150 Tremor is outfitted for off-roading with new hardware and the latest technology to tackle rugged terrain.

Ford's already shown off its F-Series Super Duty and Ranger pickups in Tremor form. As such, we figured it was only a matter of time until the Blue Oval brought forth an F-150 Tremor.

2021 Ford F-150 Tremor: A New Sub-Brand Emerges

Ford ups the ante in the F-150 by creating a Tremor sub-brand of three vehicles, as opposed to a package. Each of the three Tremors is based on a trim level of the 2021 F-150 but adds Tremor-specific sheet metal, hardware, and tech aimed for tackling the unbeaten path. All F-150 Tremors have more off-road capability than an F-150 with the FX4 package.

The Tremor series borrows styling and durability features from the Ford F-150 Raptor. The third-generation desert racer is due to return for the 2021 model year.

All three F-150 Tremors have a standard Raptor-style bash plate to protect the front end. The trucks also sport off-road running boards, as well as unique hoods and grilles with orange highlights.
2021 Ford F-150 Tremor: A Last-Minute Addition

An F-150 Tremor was not in the plans when Ford started working on its latest full-size pickup. But about two years ago, the F-150 team started having some fun with the new truck during its development. They added things such as twin exhausts and a vented hood.

The ideas became a clay model and caught the attention of senior management, who believed there was room for a sub-Raptor F-150 trim aimed at customers who were taking cheaper F-150s and adding various off-road accessories to their trucks.

"The F-150 Tremor is designed for the trails straight from the factory," chief designer Ehab Kaoud said. "It is the best of all worlds. The day-to-day workhorse, the evening show stallion, and the weekend Clydesdale gliding through tough terrain."

 

2021 Ford F-150 Tremor: Cab and Box Conundrum

All versions of the F-150 Tremor are four-door SuperCrew models with a 5.5-foot box. Power comes exclusively from a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V-6 engine mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is standard. From there, customers choose the standard, mid-, or high equipment group that dictates the truck's features.

All Tremors have greater off-road prowess courtesy of upgraded suspension and driveline hardware. Retuned springs provide an extra 1.2 inches of ground clearance, bringing the total to 10.9 inches.

Tremor-specific monotube shocks at the front and twin-tube shocks in the rear provide softer damping at low speeds and offer more control on severe terrain. The increased suspension travel (1.5 more inches of rebound travel in the rear and an extra inch of travel in front), approach and breakover angles, and ground clearance work together to make the F-150 Tremor a superior tool to conquer tougher trails. Specifically, the Tremor has an approach angle of 27.8 degrees, a breakover angle of 21.2 degrees, and a departure angle of 21.2 degrees.

The trucks ride on 33-inch all-terrain tires wrapped around 18-inch wheels. That compares with the outgoing Raptor's 17-inch wheels and 35-inch tires. The new 2021 Raptor will go further with unique fenders that complement its wider track. The new Raptor will also have even bigger wheels and tires than the Tremor, as well as additional suspension travel.
2021 Ford F-150 Tremor: Tremor Tech

Tremor introduces some new off-road technologies to the F-150 lineup, such as enhanced Trail Control, Trail One-Pedal Drive, and Trail Turn Assist. These off-road features will also be on the 2021 Ford Bronco SUV coming next year. Trail Control debuted on the 2019 Ford Ranger.

Customers can get all three as part of the optional Ford Trail Toolbox. Trail One-Pedal Drive is ideal for extreme conditions such as rock crawling where it can be hard to modulate the accelerator and brake simultaneously. The truck applies the brakes proportionally as the driver lifts from the accelerator.

Trail Turn Assist applies brakes to the inside rear wheel to make tighter low-speed turns, allowing this big vehicle to better pivot in a tight space. Meanwhile, Trail Control operates like an off-road cruise control system.

F-150 Tremors also benefit from a Rock Crawl drive mode. Rock Crawl automatically engages the locking-rear differential, turns off stability and traction control, reduces throttle response, and adjusts shift points.

2021 Ford F-150 Tremor: Orange Crush

The Tremor's orange exterior bits continue inside the cab. The low-series F-150 Tremor has orange accent stitching on dark cloth seat inserts; the mid-series has vinyl seat bolsters, and accent stitching; and the high-series has orange peeking through its perforated leather. Also, look for the orange American flags on the ends of the instrument panel and Tremor logos on some seatbacks.

A six-position auxiliary power switch will send juice to power off-road winches, air compressors, and factory-installed lights. Buyers can opt for a surround-view camera system to ensure they see every angle around the truck—even the path ahead on a trail.

The 2021 Tremor has no connection to the Tremor that was a sub-model of the 2014 F-150. That street-oriented performance trim occupied a very different space than the off-road-focused 2021 F-150 Tremor.

The 2021 F-150 Tremor series will be available in the summer of 2021. Pricing has not been announced.