Revolutionary New Generation Ford Super Duty Trucks
With this new generation Ford takes the Super Duty line of trucks to new heights. According to Ford spokespeople it is tougher, smarter and more capable than its predecessor.
As Craig Schmatz, chief engineer for the F-Series Super Duty trucks says: “The bottom line is Super Duty customers will be able to tow and haul more than ever before”. And in this segment that’s what it’s all about.
Ford Adds Lightness and Toughness
Like its little brother, the F-150, the Super Duty shed weight through extensive use of military grade aluminium. The new all aluminium body and cargo box saves 160 kg (350 lb) benefiting both towing and hauling capacity.
New fully boxed frames with additional through-chassis welded cross-members and larger axles, drivelines and stronger transfer cases make for tougher trucks with more work capability and less downtime risk.
First Look
The new horizontal grille emphasizes width giving the truck an impressive business-like look while retaining obvious Ford family cues. Major sections of the cabs are shared with the F-150 maximizing use of an already good base as well as being a great cost reducing idea.
All three cabs – Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab – are longer and feature a dual compartment glove box and overhead console-mounted auxiliary switches to operate aftermarket equipment. The redesign now places all important controls, including the integrated trailer brake controller switch, closer at hand. Available rear under-seat storage is both practical and ingenious. The lockable under-seat storage quickly and easily folds flat to the floor transforming the rear seat area into a large object carrier.
Stepping up into the interior of the luxurious high end models one finds climate controlled massaging leather seats, tasteful wood accents and a complete infotainment system with large dash mounted 8-inch screen.
The all aluminium cargo box includes the Ford-patented combination of metal brackets and custom cleats used to secure items in the cargo box. As in the F-150 the tailgate can be locked, unlocked and opened with the key fob. The tailgate drops gently down, hands-free, to a flat position when opened and includes a retractable step.
The Smarter Side of Ford's New Trucks
With new and exclusive driver-assist technologies and as many as seven high-definition cameras this new generation could become the ultimate tow vehicle.
One of the most practical is the 360-degree camera system, with four digital cameras giving the driver a convincing bird’s-eye view surrounding the vehicle, combined with an impressive trailer reverse guidance system. Reverse guidance digitally expands the camera view on the side where the trailer is veering giving the illusion the camera is following the movement. Completing the package is an industry-first optional trailer-mounted camera further improving visibility while backing up.
The camera system also facilitates conventional as well as fifth-wheel hookup with a new zoom feature.
Available driver-assist technologies include:
- Ford’s all new SYNC® 3 – featuring voice recognition and an easier-to-use graphical interface with 8-inch touch screen
- A Super Duty optimized, configurable Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) capable of compensating for different trailer lengths
- Lane departure warning through steering wheel vibrations mimicking rumble strips
- Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support capable of alerting the driver of slower vehicles moving in the same direction
- New LED all-around illumination using side view mirror spotlights and cargo box lighting
- Class-exclusive quad-beam LED headlamps and tail lamps
- Segment-first, in-cab trailer tire pressure monitoring system
Rounding out the impressive list of on-board technologies is an adaptive steering system that reduces the amount of steering input needed to change direction at low speed, while reducing sensitivity to steering input at higher speeds.
Proven Drivetrains
Not surprisingly, the latest Ford-designed, Ford-built 6.7-litre diesel V8 and improved 6.2-litre gasoline V8 engines are available in both pickup trucks and chassis cabs, providing the highest combination of horsepower and torque ever.
Both F-250 V8 engines use the TorqShift-6-speed transmission.
Chassis cab models also offer the 6.8-litre V10 gasoline engine.
The Super Duty Lineup
There are five models in the Super Duty lineup – XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and the top of the line Platinum. All Super Duty trucks will be built at the Kentucky Truck Plant and are scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms in the 4th quarter of 2016.