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Courtesy of Ford
Ford Super Duty
All-new 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum Crew Cab 4x4 Class 3 dual-rear-wheel pickup is the top-of-the-line luxury model and tow boss of the lineup. It can pull heavier gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers than ever.
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Courtesy of Ford
Ford Super Duty
The new 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel now puts out an Earth shattering 925 lb-ft.
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Courtesy of Ford
Ford Super Duty
2017 F-Series Super Duty Media Drive in Colorado
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Courtesy of Ford
Ford Super Duty
Capable of hauling 14,700 kg, a mere water splash is child’s play.
By Budd Stanley, photos courtesy of Ford
Power Hungry - All-new Super Duty to rewrite the record books
With another heavy-duty pickup redesign comes another shakeup of the record books. Ford has just released the specifications of their upcoming all-new F-Series Super Duty and the numbers are impressive. Along with the obvious switch to an aluminum-alloy body that Ford describe as being more dent and ding resistant than the previous steel body, they are also touting the F-450 to be “the best heavy-duty” they’ve ever made. As a result, we are forced to put a ridiculous number of “best in class” comments throughout these pages.
Powertrain
The new truck will sport a Ford-designed, engineered and built second-generation 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 turbo diesel that now delivers a best-in-class combination of 440 hp and a staggering 925 lb-ft. Those near ridiculous numbers will come standard for every Super Duty diesel pickup – from F-250 to F-450 – without requiring special tuning or unique hardware. The standard 6.2L V-8 now offers best-in-class torque among gasoline engines with 430 lb-ft and 385 hp.
Both diesel and gasoline engines are backed by the TorqShift six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission. The F-250 pickup with 6.2L V-8 and all-new TorqShift-G six-speed automatic delivers improved fuel economy and capability for three-quarter-ton.
Capabilities
As impressive as that all sounds, the really extraordinary numbers are found in the Super Duties capabilities. Lets start with the payload capacities. Maximum payload of the 2017 Ford Super Duty F-350 is 3,461 kg (7,630 lb), while the F-250 boasts a maximum payload of 1,905 kg (4,200 lb) – both class leading capabilities.
When it comes to pulling trailers, the Ford F-450 Super Duty will soon be king of the Class III segment, even if it is a ringer. The F-450 Super Crew 4x4 now features a maximum gooseneck tow rating of 14,742 kg (32,500 lb). Maximum fifth-wheel towing is increased to 12,474 kg (27,500 lb). Maximum conventional towing is increased to 9,525 kg (21,000 lb) without the need for a weight-distributing hitch. Maximum conventional towing with F-250, with the all-new trailer tow package, and F-350 single-rear wheel are increased to a class-leading 8,165 kg (18,000 lb). The maximum gross combined weight rating for truck and trailer now tops out at a class-leading 18,960 kg (41,800 lb).
Technology
Ford are backing up their specifications with a cab full of trailering technology designed to help make the job of towing a little easier. Smart technologies including Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with trailer tow that is optimized for Super Duty to include the length of the trailer up to 10 m (33 ft) long; BLIS uses radar sensors in the tail lamps to monitor areas that may not be visible to the driver.
The Super Duty is the first truck to offer adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support for heavy trailers, allowing truckers to traverse steep mountain grades while maintaining speed – even with a trailer weighing 14,742 kg (32,500 lb).
To aid trailer connection and reversing, Ford has equipped the Super Duty with its Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System that uses four digital, high-definition cameras to give the driver a 360-degree bird’s-eye view surrounding truck. Trailer Reverse Guidance provides visual cues and tips to help ease backing up a trailer. A first-ever factory-available trailer camera can be custom-placed on a trailer to improve visibility backing up. A centre high-mounted stop lamp camera provides visibility into the cargo box, which is especially helpful when hooking up gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers. And finally, an in-cab trailer tire pressure monitoring system allows drivers to know real-time the condition of trailer tires while stopped or on the highway.
Expect the 2017 Super Duty to be arriving at dealerships in the very near future, we will be sure to have even more information on Fords heavy duty as soon as we get behind the wheel.
SPECIFICATIONS:
- MSRP: TBA
- Price as tested: TBA
- Engine: 6.2L V-8, 6.7L turbo diesel V-8
- Power: 385 hp, 430 lb-ft (6.2L), 440 hp, 925 lb-ft (6.7L)
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Curb Weight: TBA
- Wheelbase: TBA
- Ground Clearance: TBA
- Approach Angle: TBA
- Departure Angle: TBA
- Ramp Breakover: TBA
- Wading Depth: TBA
- Tow Capacity: 14,742 kg (32,500 lb)
- Fuel Efficiency (L/100km): TBA