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If you’re shopping for a full-size pickup truck for all the tasks that trucks can do for you in Martinsville, Danville, Rocky Mount, and Greensboro, but you fancy something quicker, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is happy to oblige. While there have been plenty of half-ton trucks with big, powerful engines, nothing comes close to what the F-150 Lightning delivers straight from the factory.
When you first set eyes on the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning, nothing jumps out and shouts about it being anything other than a stylish new addition to the F-Series family. The Lightning essentially shares the clean lines of its gas-powered relative, but the extra lights provide a hint that all may not be as it appears. All models above the entry-level feature a large LED light bar running across the center of the hood. And while there’s no need for a front grille for cooling, the front has been designed to give the impression of a grille to keep the Lightning looking how we expect a truck to look.
There are four versions of the F-150 Lightning to choose from for the 2023 model year. The most affordable version is the entry-level F-150 Lightning Pro, and then you have the XLT, Lariat, and top-of-the-line Platinum. The price difference between the Pro and Platinum models is very substantial. Still, even the entry-level Lightning delivers the kind of performance fossil fuel-powered trucks can only dream of offering.
Regardless of how the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning looks, trucks of all types are judged on their performance. And where performance is concerned, the Lightning is in a class of its own. While electric vehicles (EVs) are nothing new, electric pickup trucks are in their infancy. All versions of the Lightning are all-wheel-drive, thanks to electric motors fitted to both front and rear axles. The AWD system provides a degree of off-road capability, assisted by waterproofing and other protective bits, for keeping the battery pack high, dry, and out of trouble.
The standard electric powertrain delivers a combined 452 horsepower, which increases to 580 horsepower with the Extended-Range battery option. With either battery, the maximum torque is an impressive 775 lb.-ft., but the electric motor’s instant delivery of that torque makes the performance staggering. The maximum tow rating for the Lightning is 10,000 pounds, and payload capacities range from 1,850 to 2,235 pounds. Pro models offer a driving range on a full charge of 240 miles and a 0-60 mph time of 4.1 seconds. XLT and Lariat models increase the range to 320 miles, and the Lightning Platinum comes in at 300 miles. The 0-60 mph time for XLT, Lariat, and Platinum models is “sub-four seconds.”
It’s easy to get consumed by the incredible performance and uniqueness of the Lightning’s exclusively electric powertrain. But there’s much more to appreciate about this sensational truck than its electric motors, battery, and those incredible 0-60 mph times. For a start, the Lightning is an innovative storage master with a lockable storage unit under the flip-up second-row seats. Also, there’s a useful 14.1 cu.-ft. of lockable and weatherproof storage in the front truck (or “frunk”), where you’d typically find an engine in a conventional truck.
Each version of the Lightning differs from what anyone would call basic, and you can have your electric F-150 as well-equipped and luxurious as you desire. Every model comes with a pair of 12.0-inch screens, at least. At the top of the range, the 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning Platinum features standard BlueCruise driver-assistance technology, a premium Bang & Olufsen sound system, real wood trim, high-quality leather upholstery, and plenty more. And instead of those 12.0-inch screens, the Platinum upgrades to an enormous 15.5-inch touchscreen.
The 2023 Ford F-150 Lightning is a groundbreaking addition to the all-conquering F-Series truck line, and a model that provides a glimpse into the future. See for yourself with a test drive from Nelson Ford at 201 East Commonwealth Boulevard, Martinsville, VA, or call us at (276) 638-2331 to arrange an appointment suitable for you.
