Ford pulls curtain on next generation of Super Duty trucks
Generational change includes aluminum body panels, more robust running gear
DALLAS— Big truck. Big venue. Big production.
Where else would Ford introduce its new line of Super Duty trucks other than the Texas State Fairgrounds?
The Lone Star State, which certainly has its share of trucks, was a fitting backdrop last week for revealing the new F-250, F-350, F-450 and F-550 series of pickups and chassis cab vehicles.
Hot on the heels of last year’s new Ford F-150, the big brothers of the bestselling vehicle in North America will be available to the public next year.
This new lineup, which is only the second generational change in the 18-year history of the Super Duty group, has taken the new and trendsetting aluminum-based cab and body components from the F-150 and sat this on a new and strengthened frame with more robust running gear.
The SD lineup will be comprised of five models, from the base XL to the ultra-loaded Platinum version.
The trucks will be available in regular cab, Super cab and Crew cab formats. Power for the trucks will consist of a 6.2-litre gasoline V8, a 6.9-litre gasoline V10 (chassis cab only) or the 6.7-litre Power Stroke V8 diesel.
“A truck is a tool, perhaps the most valuable and expensive tool for our personal and commercial custom- ers,” noted Doug Scott, Ford’s truck group marketing manager. He added that Ford produces 64 per cent of the chassis cab market, and 90 per cent of its customers use their trucks for towing.
“The reason we have this leadership is we know the customer better,” he explained. “The SD delivers but we work on continuous improvement. That is what we are striving for.”
It was explained that in designing and building the new trucks, the 350 pounds in weight loss through the use of aluminum body panels allowed Ford to use this reduction in beefing up other area of the vehicle, with a strengthened frame, larger brakes and larger suspension systems.
The fully boxed frame will be 24 times stiffer than the previous frame.
The interiors in the cabs of the SDs feature a new design, highlighted with more storage spaces, a flat floor in the rear of the Super and Crew Cabs with the rear seat raised and a column-mounted gearshift lever, which allows more space for the centre console.
Ford emphasized its commitment to its trailer-towing customers at the Dallas reveal and announced several technological enhancements for the SD trucks.
These include LED lighting, adaptive cruise control and a seven-camera package to make driving and work situations easier and more comfortable.
Some of this technology is part of Ford’s BLIS (Blind Spot Information System) that uses radar sensors in several areas of the vehicle, as well as the trailer for monitoring areas not visible to the driver.
Also available is a new camera package, some of which provides a 360degree view of the vehicle. There is also not only a camera that shows the contents of the truck’s pickup box, but a camera mounted at the rear to help ease backing.
All these camera angles are viewed through the dashboard-mounted Ford SYNC-3 communications and entertainment system and its eight- inch touchscreen.
The new series of 2017 model trucks are slated to be in the dealers’ showrooms in about 12 months. They will be assembled in Ford’s Kentucky Truck plant in Louisville, Ky. Freelance writer Tim Miller is a frequent contributor to Toronto Star Wheels. For this story, his travel and other expenses were paid by the automaker. To reach him, email wheels@thestar.ca and put his name in the subject line.
“A truck is a tool, perhaps the most valuable and expensive tool for our personal and commercial customers.”
DOUG SCOTT TRUCK GROUP MARKETING MANAGER