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FORD SUPER DUTY

Ford F-250 Super Duty and a Trail-Stomping Tremor Package

September 22, 2020 by admin Leave a Comment


Tremor shakes things for the Ford Super Duty, but in a good way.


The Ford Super Duty with the available Tremor Package navigates the Sandhills of central North Carolina. Maximized off-road capabilites are its strong suit.

America loves her pickup trucks with millions of units sold annually. The Ford F-150 is the most popular nameplate, but there’s also a Super Duty line comprised of F-250, F-350, and F-450 models. These heavy-duty light trucks offer the largest engines in the segment and come with payload and towing numbers that should meet or exceed nearly every need.

We found out just how capable and big the F-250 is when a Crew Cab model dressed in Lariat trim and outfitted with the Tremor Package appeared for a week’s worth of on- and off-road fun.


2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty


Ford offers six trims with the 2020 F-250, but not all six are available across the board. For instance, the Regular cab comes in XL ($34,035) and XLT ($38,815) trims. Choose the SuperCab and you’ll find three trims: XL ($36,370), XLT ($41,480), and Lariat ($46,930). Add $1,695 for the destination charge. Taxes, tags, and registration are extra.

The Crew Cab pulls out all the stops with XL ($37,625), XLT ($43,310), Lariat ($49,260), King Ranch ($59,335), Platinum ($66,225), and Limited ($83,930) trims. The top trim features the diesel engine. Fully loaded you may see a find price around $90,000!

Our test single-rear-wheel Lariat Crew Cab model with the Tremor Package, four-wheel-drive, and the 160-inch wheelbase came in at just above $71,000.




Exterior

Full-size pickup trucks are huge. The heavy-duty versions are simply massive, especially when dual rear wheels are present. Our test model had a single-rear-wheel-chassis, but it was easily the largest pickup truck we’ve had to date.

Ford still offers three cabin sizes: Regular, SuperCrew and Crew Cab. The Regular cab seats up to three, the SuperCrew five or six, and the Crew Cab up to six. Depending on the chosen cab, you’ll find five wheelbase lengths: 142-, 148-, 160-, 164-, and 176-inch choices. Our crew cab came right in the middle, although the longest wheelbase is also available. The longest wheelbase brings in the 8-foot bed, whereas a 6-foot-, 9-inch bed is standard.

In its longest form, the F-250 measures 266.2 inches long – that’s 22 feet of mass! Compare that to the Smart Fortwo that’s just under 9-feet long and those differences are quite stark.

The Super Duty is a moving slab of sheet-metal. A large chrome grille with menacing daytime running lights are intimidating to say the least. The lengthy profile seems to stretch on and on, but it was the huge side mirrors that caught our attention the most – we could imagine them touching the coasts whenever the truck was faced due north or south. In reality, they’re no bigger than the tow mirrors you find on many pickup trucks. What we appreciated the most about them is that they automatically fold close when the truck is off – at least if you select the right trim package.





Interior

Crew cab models have cavernous interiors and the F-250 did not disappoint. Our test model featured a pair of bench seats. Up front, the 40/20/40 layout affords ample space for three, but we think that with the middle seating position flipped forward with the huge storage compartment exposed is the way to go. In the rear is a 60/40 split fold-up bench seat.

Is the Super Duty luxurious? No, but it does have premium touches worth considering. Its bigly interior alone sets it apart from luxury sedans, but there’s still enough plastic present to remind everyone that this is a mainstream model. At the Lariat level, leather seats come in – they’re cushy and comfortable, but they’re not “nappa” or among many of the other fine hides available. That said, they’re a nice upgrade over cloth.

Move up to the top three trims and the brightwork trim gives way to real wood or brushed metal. This is a better look, but the hard plastics on the bottom of the dashboard, the door inlays, and seats remain. All trims come with carpeting or can be swapped out for vinyl flooring that’s recommended for work crews.




Tech

You need to look beyond the XL trim to find the tech amenities that most people want. The XL serves as the work truck here with few creature features of note.

Begin your shopping at the XLT level and Ford’s SYNC 3 interface kicks in. It’s a vast improvement over the previous systems and nearly on par with the industry’s best, namely Fiat Chrysler’s Uconnect and GM’s Intellink telematics. The domestics offer the best systems among mainstream models in our opinion.

Ford includes a 5-speaker audio system in the Regular cab and seven speakers in the other two cab choices. You’ll also find satellite radio, a 110-volt outlet, and USB ports. Move up the trim range and a 10-speaker B&O audio system is standard. Navigation, a wireless charging pad, and a surround-view camera are also available.

Safety

If you’re looking for crash test scores for the Super Duty you won’t find them. The federal NHTSA and the private IIHS don’t perform tests on big pickup trucks. Certainly, if you are in an accident with one, the sheer size of these trucks will help absorb some of the impact. But don’t rely on girth alone to keep you safe.

Look beyond the base XL trim and the Super Duty features a suite of driver-assist features. These include lane-keep alert, cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring, and automatic emergency braking. Adaptive cruise control is available. Looking ahead, we believe pickup trucks will offer the same safety features as cars – an all-new 2021 Ford F-150 should presage what a future Super Duty model has on tap.



Performance

For the past decade, the Ford F-250 has been a tale of two V8 engines: a 6.2-liter gas and a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel. Both have performed quite well for the Super Duty line, but this year they’re joined by an optional 7.3-liter V8 engine.

The third engine, the newest in Ford’s arsenal, replaces a 6.8-liter V10 available in the Super Duty through 2010 and more recently in Ford’s E-Series vans and other truck applications. Those vans are no longer available to consumers, as the Transit is the model of choice. You can still buy an E-Series Cutaway to build an ambulance, school bus, delivery, or other commercial vehicle and that’s where the new engine is found.

With the V10 aged and ready to sail away, Ford developed a new engine to cover its super duty light duty trucks, the vans, as well as its commercial Class 6/7 models. Ford might have considered a twin-turbo layout as per its EcoBoost engine line, but it chose a naturally aspirated V8 and went big there.

Why another V8? Figure that Ford wanted a workhorse V8 that wouldn’t rely on turbochargers for added power. That’s probably a smart choice too as the turbos would have been under constant pressure to move, in some cases, tens of thousands of pounds of mass, payload, and towing.

It’s one thing to propel the F-150 for its targeted recreational and light-duty commercial owners. It’s another thing to call on a turbocharged engine to constantly handle the heavy work of a Super Duty model – we doubt that there are turbos in existence that can take a constant pounding.

The new V8 is no slouch as it develops 430 horsepower and 475 pound-feet of torque. That’s just below the maximum 450 horsepower/510 pound-feet of torque in the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 found in the F-150 Raptor, but it’s well above the 385 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque in the standard engine. And it blows the old V10 away, which produced only 288 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque.



Before we move on, the engine upgrades carry a line item extra cost. For the upgraded V8, you’ll pay an additional $2,045 to procure one. With the turbo-diesel, the cost is $10,495. That’s quite a difference, but if you’re looking at long-term ownership, the diesel may be the better deal. The diesel also has the best pulling power of the three, with 475 horsepower and an outstanding 1,050 pound-feet of torque at the ready. Both engine options work with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Our Tremor came with the new engine. After a week’s worth of driving and off-road shenanigans, the new engine’s capabilities came into focus. And we were pleased: the near-four-ton beast moved with authority from a dead stop and seemed to defy physics as it romped down the highway. Kudos to Ford with matching this engine with a 10-speed automatic transmission, its gear-changer of choice in most models these days. Clean shifts under a variety of driving conditions proved its worth. The only question we have is how does this transmission behave under heavy loads? It’s not uncommon for them to hunt for gears when pulling more than 10,000 pounds.

The Tremor’s size is a nonfactor on paved roads, but we can imagine it’s a whole ‘nuther thing when tackling off-road trails. In fact, the trail loops in our state are best used by midsize trucks and similar-sized SUVs, such as the Jeep Wrangler and the upcoming Ford Bronco. We don’t see anyone buying a Super Duty for trail fun anyway, but with its huge tires and nice lift, water fording up to 33 inches is possible. Further, if you’re on a country road that turns to mud or sand, the four-wheel-drive system comes in handy – we tackled the Sandhills in our area and the truck wasn’t going anywhere in two-wheel drive. But the moment we activated four-wheel drive, there was no slowing down its forward progress.

So, what makes the Tremor Package special besides its placarding? Several things, beginning with the maximum-traction 35-inch all-terrain tires. An off-road-tuned front and rear suspension, 1.7-inch twin-tube dampers, and the rock crawl and trail control mode are other benefits. Yes, the trail issue comes up again – you may need to buy grille and brush guards if you have trail stomping in mind. These are just a few of the many factory and third-party accessories available with any Ford truck.



Competitive Set

The usual suspects vie with Ford to produce a full-size pickup truck. From GM are the Chevrolet Silverado HD and GMC Sierra HD twins. Another domestic producer with its hand in the mix is the Ram 2500/3500. Two Japanese manufacturers build their big trucks in the U.S.: Toyota Tundra and Nissan Titan. However, neither the Tundra or Titan are available in heavy-duty guise, although the Titan XD comes closest.


Our Recommendation

We don’t see much use for a Regular cab in this segment and we find the SuperCab too confining for tall people. Moving up to the Crew Cab from the SuperCab means a slight bump in cost. You also get the full range of trim features with the Crew Cab and that’s the overarching appeal in our opinion.

Our recommendation means shopping for a Crew Cab with the single rear wheels, but choose the double if maximum towing is your thing. The standard engine is more than sufficient, but opt for the new V8 if you need some extra kick. It isn’t an efficient model by any stretch – we averaged 13.4 mpg over 253 miles – but that’s only slightly below the 15 mpg similar trucks usually average. Only go with the turbodiesel if long-term ownership and top towing capabilities are factors in your shopping consideration, otherwise the spend-up is a hard one for most people to justify.



2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty Specifications


Ford 2020 F-250 Super Duty
Segment Full-size pickup truck
Base Sticker Price $54,140 (including a $1,695 destination charge)
Price as tested (estimated) $71,185
Engine No. 1 6.2-liter, gas V8
Horsepower 385 @ 5,750 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 430 @ 3,800 RPMs
Transmission 6 or 10-speed automatic automatic
Engine No. 2 7.3-liter, gas V8
Horsepower 430 @ 5,500 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 475 @ 4,000 RPMs
Transmission 10-speed automatic automatic
Engine No. 3 6.7-liter, turbodiesel V8
Horsepower 475 @ 2,600 RPMs
Torque (lb.-ft.) 1,050 @ 1,600 RPMs
Transmission 10-speed automatic automatic
Seating 6
Curb Weight (pounds) 7,874
Wheelbase (inches) 141.6 to 176
Length (inches) 231.8 to 266.2
Width (inches) 80.0 (SRW); 96.0 (DRW)
Height (inches) 78.8 to 82.2
Headroom (f,m,r…inches) 40.8, 40.3/4
Legroom (f,m,r…inches) 43.9, 33.5 or 43.6
Shoulder room (f,m,r…inches) 66.7, 65.8/9
Hip room (f,m,r…inches) 62.5, 64.7
Storage (cubic feet) 11.6/31.6/52.1
Gross vehicle weight (pounds) 9,900 to 10,800
Towing (pounds) 13-15,000 (std.); 21,700 (5th)
Payload (pounds) Up to 3,110 to 4,260
Fuel Regular
Fuel Tank (gallons) 29/34/48
EPA Fuel MPG (city/highway) NR city/highway/combined
Manufacturing Plant Louisville, Kentucky or Avon Lake, Ohio

See Also — King of all Trucks: Ford F-150 Raptor

2020 Ford F-250 Super Duty photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: New Car Reviews Tagged With: 10-speed transmission, F-150 TREMOR, Ford, FORD F-150, FORD F-250, FORD SUPER DUTY, four-wheel drive, PICKUP TRUCKS, V8 engine

New Ford Super Duty F-600 Unveiled

March 6, 2019 by admin

Ford expands its Super Duty line and updates other vans and trucks.

Ford Super Duty F-600
The F-600 is the latest model in the Super Duty line.

There is a fresh name coming to the Ford Super Duty family, the first new F-Series model we’re seeing in 20 years. The Ford Super Duty F-600 broke cover this week, expanding the automaker’s venerable line of full-size pickup trucks with it.

The 2020 Ford Super Duty F-600 chassis cab is a medium-duty commercial truck with a maximum gross vehicle weight rating (GVWR) of 22,000 pounds. Ford describes the vehicle as a Class 5 Super Duty package with Class 6 commercial truck capabilities. The new model will be available in mid-2020.

Ford’s premise with the F-600 is to offer a commercial truck that closes the gap between payload and truck size. The new model is the same size as the current medium-duty F-550, but smaller than the F-650. It gains an upgraded driveline and chassis components along with higher-weight-rated tires and wheels to meet the elevated GVWR.

All F-600 models come with a choice of three engines, including Ford’s all-new 7.3-liter gas V8, a 6.2-liter gas V8, or a 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8. Each engine works with a 10-speed automatic transmission. Buyers will find both two- and four-wheel drive models.

Ford Commercial Trucks
Ford’s current lineup of commercial trucks begins with the Transit Connect.

Additional Ford Updates

The Super Duty F-600 isn’t the only news from Ford covering its passenger and commercial vehicles. The Ford E-Series continues, a model which traces its history to the early 1960s. The big van is still available, but only in cutaway and stripped chassis models as the Transit has replaced it in other applications.

For 2021, the E-Series receives an updated interior, including a refreshed instrument panel, Bluetooth compatibility, and USB ports. Ford will also make available a pair of engine calibrations for its new 7.3-liter V8 engine, enabling customers to select the best horsepower and torque application for their needs.


Ford Transit: Work Van, Family Wagon or Fleet King


Refreshed Transit Van

As for the Transit, it receives an important refresh for 2020. Two new engines join the product line, including a 2.0-liter bi-turbo diesel with available all-wheel drive. The other choice is a new 3.5-liter V6 engine with port fuel and direct injection. Both engines work with a 10-speed automatic transmission.

Other Transit changes include now standard pre-collision assist with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian detection, forward collision warning, post-collision braking, lane-keeping assist, and automatic high beams. A blind-spot information system with trailer coverage and cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, a front and rear split-view camera and adjustable speed limiting device are among the available features.

Ford Commercial Vehicles
Clockwise from top left: E-Series, Transit, F-650, Ford Chassis.

An Enhanced Strip Chassis

Other changes coming include an update to Ford’s stripped chassis. The F-53 chassis underpins motor homes and other types of vehicles and will soon feature improved steering, an unto the center of gravity capability on higher GVWR models and improved driving experience. The F-53 and F-59 (commonly used for walk-in vans) will also get a new steering column, instrument cluster, and electrical architecture.

Ford’s additional Super Duty model and update to three other vehicles strengthen its market position. Both GM and Fiat Chrysler also have new medium-duty trucks coming online, therefore the Blue Oval is getting it done to stay out front.


See Also — Aluminum Super Duty: 2017 Ford F-350 Platinum 4WD

Photos copyright the Ford Motor Company.

Filed Under: Automotive News, New Models Tagged With: all-wheel drive, commercial vehicles, DIESEL, FORD E SERIES, FORD F SERIES, FORD SUPER DUTY, FORD TRANSIT, Super Duty F-600, truck, VAN

America’s 10 Best-Selling Passenger Vehicles

July 5, 2017 by admin 1 Comment

A look at the year-to-date best-sellers through June 2017.

2017 Ford Super Duty
The Ford Super Duty is all-new for 2017 and is a
significant contributor to overall Ford F-Series sales.

The US auto market is slowing down and will most likely finish below 2016’s peak numbers. Still, somewhere between 16.8 and 17 million new passenger vehicles will likely sell as the books close in early January — that’s still an impressive range.

To that end, let’s take a look at America’s current crop of the 10 best-selling cars, trucks, and SUVs, with statistics supplied by GOOD CAR BAD CAR and confirmed by the manufacturers.

1. Ford F Series (429,860) —- Ford’s full-size pickup trucks are right where you expect them to be: on top. Indeed, for four consecutive decades the F-150 and similar models have led the pickup truck sales pack. In many years, this truck has been the best-selling passenger vehicle, bar none. Year-to-date (YTD) sales are up 8.8 percent for a model last redesigned in 2015 (2017 for Super Duty models).

2. Chevrolet Silverado (262,940) —- The Chevy Silverado has long been in second place behind the Ford F-150. However, in some years the Silverado and its GMC Sierra twin outsell Ford, allowing GM to claim the full-size truck crown. This year, sales are down 3.9 percent for a model last overhauled in 2014. A new model is about two years away and it can’t come soon enough as Ram may move ahead of Chevrolet for the first time.

2017 Nissan Rogue Sport
The Nissan Rogue and this Rogue Sport combine to deliver
strong sales for this aspiring model line.

3. Ram Pickup (250,443) -— That the three top selling models in the US market are full-size pickup trucks may surprise some, but given how strong this segment is, the hold these three have isn’t. What is surprising is that Ram sales are up 7 percent, demonstrating that demand for a model redesigned in 2009 and renamed in 2011 continues unabated. A new model is due out in 2019.

4. Nissan Rogue (195,689) -— The biggest gainer this year among the top models is the Nissan Rogue. Now comprised of Rogue and a smaller Rogue Sport model, sales are up a whopping 31.4 percent. Redesigned in 2014, the Nissan Rogue continues to harness insatiable demand for small SUVs and they’re doing it with just one powertrain choice — a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission.

5. Honda CR-V (187,726) —- Honda’s Accord and Civic models have long delivered a 1-2 punch for the automaker, but since CR-V sales began to surge five years ago, it’s now a 1-2-3 hit from Honda. The CR-V is now in the top position, benefiting from a 17.7 percent sales surge YTD. Helping matters is a 2017 overhaul, what makes this model one of the newest in the small SUV segment.

6. Toyota RAV4 (184,766) —- Like Honda, Toyota has also enjoyed a 1-2-3 punch. Like Honda, the compact RAV4 SUV has leaped the Camry and Corolla, and is now Toyota’s top-selling model. Up 11.4 percent YTD, the RAV4 is one of three compact SUVs that may outsell the Camry this year, the perennial best-selling car in America for most of the past two decades.

2018 Toyota RAV4
An all-new Toyota Camry debuts this summer. Will it be enough for this midsize sedan
to reclaim its top perch once again this year?

7. Toyota Camry (176,897) — Whoa! Toyota Camry sales are down 11.4 percent YTD and that doesn’t bode well for America’s top-selling car. Consumer tastes have shifted and cars are getting hammered. But there is hope — an all-new Camry is in production and some type of rebound is certain to follow. Whether that’ll be enough to close the near 20,000-unit gap between the Camry and the top-selling Rogue is not knowable.

8. Toyota Corolla (176,527) —- The Corolla was last overhauled in 2014. But like the Camry, sales are taking a hit, falling 7.7 percent so far this year. Unlike the Camry, a new model isn’t waiting in the wings. At least not this year.

9. Honda Civic (175,763) —- Honda shook the small car market in 2016 when a larger and more dazzling Civic made its debut. But sales are down 7.4 percent YTD as a once forgiving market reveals a harsh reality: even handsome cars can’t keep up with SUVs.

10. Honda Accord (160,091) — The only car to challenge the Toyota Camry in recent years has been the Honda Accord. Like the Camry, sales are down YTD and to the tune of 5.5 percent. Also, like the Camry, a new model arrives this year, bringing with it the possibility of a sales rebound before the year closes out.

2016 Lexus RX
The Lexus RX is the best-selling luxury vehicle, but it doesn’t crack the
top 50 among all models. (Photo copyright Lexus)

Best of the Rest

The current top 10 may change before the year draws to an end. The Ford Escape occupies eleventh place, just 4,000 units behind the Accord. The twelfth through fifteenth positions include the Nissan Altima, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Equinox, and the Jeep Grand Cherokee. Of these four, the all-new Equinox has the best chance of moving up as the year winds down.


See Also — YTD: The Five Best Selling Midsize Models

Photos copyright Auto Trends Magazine unless otherwise noted. All rights reserved.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: CAR SALES, Chevrolet Silverado, FORD F SERIES, FORD F-150, FORD SUPER DUTY, GMC SIERRA, HONDA ACCORD, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V, Nissan Rogue, Nissan Rogue Sport, RAM 1500, Toyota Camry, Toyota Corolla, Toyota RAV4

New 2017 Ford Super Duty Lifts the Bar

July 19, 2016 by admin 5 Comments

Payload, towing, and engine performance levels take a hike.

2017 Ford F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4×4
2017 Ford F-350 Lariat Crew Cab 4×4.

The Ford Super Duty is the heavy duty version of the Ford F-Series, the best-selling pickup truck line in America. Along with the F-150, the Super Duty has enabled Ford to maintain its leadership in the segment for nearly four decades.

The F-150 was overhauled in 2015 and two years later the Super Duty gets its turn. The all-new model goes on sale this fall and Ford says that it will leave its competitors behind. Those competitors are comprised of the Ram 2500/3500, Chevrolet Silverado HD, and the GMC Sierra HD. Toyota and Nissan have full-size trucks too, but they’re absent from the heavy-duty market.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Like the current-generation F-150, the 2017 Ford Super Duty is outfitted with high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy as well as high-strength steel. The transition to the current metals means Ford was able to reduce vehicle weight by up to 350 pounds, an effort that allows the truck maker to enjoy benefits elsewhere.

Ford says the truck’s neoteric fully boxed frame is composed of more than 95 percent high-strength steel and is up to 24 times stiffer than the previous model. As a result, the 2017 Super Duty will see marked improvements in towing and hauling capacities.

Topping the Towing Charts

For Super Duty trucks powered by the 6.7-liter, Power Stroke V-8 Turbo Diesel engine, gooseneck towing rises to 32,500 pounds up from 31,200 pounds for the 2016 model.

Fifth-wheel towing capacity is now 27,500 pounds, up from 26,500 pounds. Conventional towing climbs to 21,000 pounds, up from 19,000 pounds. The maximum payload capacity is now rated at up 7,630 pounds, providing a significant boost over the previous 7,050-pound limit.

Other changes can be found in engine performance. The turbo diesel makes 440 horsepower and 925 foot-pounds of torque (previously 860 lb.-ft.). The 6.2-liter, gasoline V-8 also gets a performance upgrade and will make 385 horsepower and 440 foot-pounds of torque (previously 405 lb.-ft.). Each of these numbers applies to the F-450.

With the all-new model, Ford claims leadership in a number of categories. Without naming its competitors, Ford says the 2017 Super Duty now claims a gooseneck towing edge of 1,290 pounds over the next closest model. Further, the Ford has a 2,500-pound lead in fifth-wheel towing and a 1,000-pound edge in conventional towing.

As for F-250 and F-350 Super Duty models, the maximum conventional towing with the F-250 equipped with an all-new trailer tow package and the F-350 with a single-rear-wheel tops out at a class-leading 18,000 pounds.

New Safety Technologies

On the technology front, the 2017 Super Duty becomes the first truck to offer adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support for heavy trailers, a technology the company says enables truckers to negotiate steep mountain grades while sustaining speeds even when trailering 32,500 pounds.

The Super Duty also offers a center high-mounted stop lamp camera, what provides visibility into the cargo box. This feature is particularly beneficial when connecting both gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailers. The “Ultimate Trailer Tow Camera System” is composed of four digital, high-definition cameras to provide the driver with a 360-degree bird’s-eye view surrounding their Super Duty.

Also, “Trailer Reverse Guidance” supplies visual cues and tips to help ease backing up a trailer. Moreover, a first-ever factory-available trailer camera can also be custom-placed on a trailer to improve visibility while backing up.

Light or Heavy Duty Truck

Ford is on pace to sell 800,000 F-Series this year as sales are up by more than 10 percent in a segment where sales are up just over 7 percent. An all-new Super Duty should help matters, enabling Ford to put more distance between the F-150 and Chevy’s Silverado, and extend its sales streak to 40 years.


Further Reading

Ford: All-New 3.5-Liter, V-6 Engine Offers Significant Power Boost

Aluminum Super Duty: 2017 Ford F-350 Platinum 4WD

Photo copyright the Ford Motor Company.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: 2017 SUPER DUTY, 2017 trucks, CHEVROLET SILVERADO HD, FORD SUPER DUTY, HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK, PAYLOAD, POWER STROKE, RAM 2500, TOWING, turbodiesel

Rolled Aluminum Producer Novelis Expands NY Plant

May 25, 2016 by admin Leave a Comment

Ford Super Duty benefits from Novelis aluminum.

2015 Ford F-150.
This aluminum Ford F-150 will soon be joined by an all-new Super Duty.

“Vehicle lightweighting” is one of those industry buzzwords that doesn’t easily roll off the tongue. Outside of the auto industry, few people are familiar with the term. But if you mention “Ford F-150” then the recognition is instantaneous — nearly everyone knows the current generation model has a weight-saving aluminum body.

Well, like all other manufacturers the Ford Motor Company relies on suppliers to provide them with the materials to form vehicle bodies. Most manufacturers use steel body panels and plastic front and rear fascias. Carbon fiber is also used, but in very limited quantities, while aluminum is now in greater use than ever before.

Automotive Market Served Well

Novelis is the leader in all things rolled aluminum products and also has the distinction of being the largest recycler of aluminum in the world. On the automotive front, the company supplies aluminum to Audi, BMW, Cadillac, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, as well as to Ford. Coca-Cola, LG, and Samsung are among other companies making use of Novelis aluminum.

Increased demand for aluminum is part of automakers’ overall sustainability strategy, an effort to reduce vehicle weight and lessen the impact on the environment. To that end, Novelis has opened a third cutting edge automotive finishing line at its plant in Oswego, New York.

The latest line was installed to assist the production of durable, lighter and safer vehicles, representing a $120 million investment to expand the high-strength aluminum alloy supply for Ford F-Series trucks. As a result of this expansion, the company has extended its stand as the preeminent automotive aluminum sheet supplier in North America.

“As a result of our investments across the globe, Novelis is able to offer our automotive customers unique advantages and benefits through automotive lines such as this one in Oswego,” said Steve Fisher, President and CEO, Novelis. “Automakers are seeking alternative materials to cut vehicle weight while maintaining strength and safety requirements. With investments in Asia, Europe and North America, Novelis has the global footprint, assets and expertise to meet the needs of automakers in every major auto-producing region.”

Benefitting the 2017 Ford F-Series

Novelis says the third and newest automotive finishing line will produce aluminum sheet for the body and cargo box of the all-new 2017 F-Series Super Duty lineup, enabling Ford to reduce the overall vehicle weight by up to 350 pounds. As a result, the new truck is expected to deliver improved hauling and towing capabilities.

“Novelis works closely alongside our automotive customers to meet their precise and exact demands,” said Marco Palmieri, SVP and President, Novelis North America. “The passion for excellence among our employees in Oswego and throughout North America has made possible this latest automotive expansion. It is a testament to our commitment to help our automotive customers bring to market the lightweight vehicles of the future.”

Expanded Footprint, More Jobs

Over the past five years, Novelis has expanded its ability to serve the North American automotive industry by installing and commissioning three automotive finishing lines in Oswego, adding at least 460 jobs. The current $400 million investment also includes the world’s largest closed-loop recycling program, which processes roughly 25 million pounds of automotive aluminum scrap per month.

Besides its plant in New York, Novelis has a strong presence in Ontario, Switzerland, Germany, and China, and claims to be the only manufacturer of high-strength, military-grade aluminum with a presence in all three major auto-producing continents. Lastly, Novelis says its automotive aluminum can now be found in more than 180 vehicle models currently produced by automakers.

Related Reading

Aluminum Comes to the Ford Super Duty

Aluminum Tough: 2015 Ford F-150

2014 Ford F-150 Will Feature An Aluminum Body

Ford F-150 photo copyright Auto Trends Magazine.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: ALUMINUM, FORD F-150, FORD SUPER DUTY, LIGHTWEIGHT, LIGHTWEIGHTING, NEW YORK, NOVELIS, OSWEGO, RECYCLING

Aluminum Comes to the Ford Super Duty

September 24, 2015 by admin 2 Comments

Ford Super Duty

An all-new 2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty at work.

 

In an absolutely expected move, the Ford Motor Company is dressing the 2017 Ford Super Duty with an aluminum body. Soon, all models bearing the F-Series name will use this lightweight material, with the heavy-duty truck coming in up to 350 pounds lighter than its predecessor.

Ford says that the new truck, to be built at the Kentucky Truck Plant and available late next year, will benefit from an all-new fully boxed frame. That frame will be composed of more than 95 percent high-strength steel with stiffness 24 times greater than the current frame. This change alone will benefit towing and hauling, already two of its strongest suits. Other modifications bring in four-wheel drive components, driveline, axles, and towing hardware, to provide enhanced heavy-duty capabilities.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Two Alloys at Work

Like the 2015 Ford F-150 that started it all, the 2017 Super Duty makes use of high-strength, military-grade, aluminum alloy, what the manufacturer claims is more dent- and ding-resistant than the present steel body and is also impervious to red rust corrosion.


See Also — Ram Chassis Cab is Here and Brings With it Class-Leading Numbers


The two alloys effectively reduce the Ford’s weight, with savings of up to 350 pounds realized. Those savings also extend to the chassis cab as it receives a brand-new, high-strength steel frame with an open C-channel design located behind the cab. The new configuration was designed to facilitate aftermarket upfit and modification.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Super Duty Towing and Visibility Changes

Ford has not provided towing and payload numbers for the new Super Duty. However, the automaker says that it is rolling out “advanced coaching and camera technology,” in a bid to ease both conventional and gooseneck (fifth-wheel towing) for drivers.

Furthermore, the Super Duty receives numerous new features, including some that are not found elsewhere in the heavy-duty segment. For example, LED lighting and adaptive cruise control arrive, features not found in competing trucks from Ram, Chevrolet and GMC.

Also, the new truck receives a center high-mounted stop lamp camera, what increases visibility into the cargo box — especially helpful when connecting for gooseneck towing purposes. At work is a 360-degree camera system, comprised of four digital, high-definition cameras. The system provides a panoramic view of the truck.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Moreover, Ford will include reverse guidance cues and tips to help drivers as they move a trailer in reverse. Lastly, a factory-available trailer camera is now available for the first time and can be attached to the trailer.

Other changes include a standard or available tire pressure monitoring system, adaptive steering, SYNC 3 telecommunications, a Blind Spot Information System, lane departure warning with steering wheel vibrations, and the adaptive cruise control system paired with collision warning and brake support.

In addition, Ford says that various lighting changes are in evidence, including LED side view mirror spotlights, quad-beam LED headlamps and tail lamps, and a new LED cargo lighting system.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Super Duty: Three Engine Choices

Three engine choices return for the 2017 Ford Super Duty. A 6.2-liter gasoline V-8 engine is now paired with a new TorqShift-G transmission, a six-speed automatic gearbox featuring a more robust torque converter arrangement. Also available is a 6.8-liter, V-10 gasoline engine.

The third engine choice is the second-generation, 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel, a Ford-built product. The automaker hasn’t released performance numbers yet, but it is expected to improve upon the current horsepower and torque ratings.

2017 Ford Super Duty

Cabs and Trim Level Choices

The next generation Super Duty will offer three cab choices — regular, SuperCab and Crew Cab. Super Duty shoppers will also have five trim levels to choose from — XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. Prices and performance numbers will be provided closer to this model’s release date.

“Ford Super Duty is the truck America’s hardest-working men and women trust and depend on,” said Joe Hinrichs, Ford president, The Americas. “We are helping these customers build a better world by delivering a new generation of pickups that set new benchmarks in capability, performance and efficiency.”


See Also — Aluminum Super Duty: 2017 Ford F-350 Platinum 4WD

Super Duty photos courtesy of the Ford Motor Company.

Filed Under: Automotive News Tagged With: 2017 trucks, DIESEL, FORD F SERIES, FORD F-150, Ford Motor Company, FORD SUPER DUTY, HEAVY-DUTY TRUCK, SYNC 3, TORQSHIFT-G

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