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| Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company |
A segment appearing on the surface to be working contrary to the modern automobile segment, the extended-duty three-quarter and one-ton pickup truck market has been facing the same type of scrutiny as passenger vehicles. Greater efficiency and improved technologies are almost universal traits sought from the latest vehicles. While passenger cars and crossovers are intent to promote better fuel economy as well as a more enriching commuting experience with infotainment systems, pickup trucks are expected to make the most from a powerful engine for greater towing and hauling strength. Ford Motor Company’s critically-acclaimed rethinking of their highly-popular, half-ton F-150 pickup truck showed a bold departure from the traditions of the work vehicle segment. Creating lighter weight, intelligently-equipped vehicles with the F-150, the 2017 Super Duty is the next chapter in Ford trucks’ new book on building a trusted hauler for the 21st century.
The 2015 model year F-150 pushed Ford as well as the entire auto industry into a new realm of pickup truck construction through the extensive use of aluminum. Body panels of the 2017 Super Duty employ military-grade aluminum providing weight reduction as well as added benefit of dust resistance; an ideal characteristic for dusty, dirty work sites where a heavy pickup such as a Ford Super Duty would be found. The new aluminum-bodied Super Duty is based on a fully boxed frame chassis constructed almost entirely in high-strength steel. Boasting 24 times greater stiffness than the Super Duty it is succeeding, the high-strength streel combines with eight cross-members with through-welded construction. With advancements made to the 2017 model year Super Duty’s structural rigidity, Ford achieves an overall vehicle weight that is up to 350 pounds lighter than the current high-capacity pickup trucks.
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| Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company |
As we have grown to expect from the F-Series Super Duty line, the styling is conveying a more muscular persona than the F-150 half-ton. In previous generations, the Ford Super Duty’s design would greatly flex its muscle over the F-150. The 2017 model still possesses a tough truck look but there is somewhat less dramatic than with past instances. A massive front grille and a stacked, rectangular headlamp housing design immediately distinguishes the 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks. Quad-beam LED headlights and tailgates are offered through advanced lighting technology introduced on the new truck. The ‘Super Duty’ imprint is worn on the hood lid just above the grille. Bulkier side mirrors as well as side louvers also define the Super Duty line.
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| Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company |
The practicality of a large bed provides several features unique to the Super Duty. The BoxLink system incorporates metal bracket and customized cleats to securely travel with a wide array of cargo types. The tailgate of the 2017 Ford Super Duty line of trucks can be locked and released remotely for convenience through the use of a key fob. LED illumination within the cargo box provides extra vision for locating items in darkened conditions.
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| Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company |
Offered in Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab models, the interior of the new Ford Super Duty is completely refreshed. A dual compartment glove box is incorporated with the cabin while easy upfitting opportunities exist thanks to a overhead console featuring auxiliary switches. These switches can be programmed to operate a variety of equipment such as a snowplow. Ford’s all-new SYNC 3 infotainment is available on the 2017 Super Duty that operates through an eight-inch touchscreen. Sophisticated safety equipment such as Blind Spot Information System, Lane departure warning as well as an adaptive cruise control system and collision warning with brake support can provide additional peace of mind on or off a work site. XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim levels will allow a buyer to determine the level of luxury they are seeking with the 2017 Ford Super Duty line.
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| Photo Credit: Ford Motor Company |
Powerplant choices for the 2017 Ford Super Duty remains familiar to current owners of the truck line-up. A 6.2-liter V-8 engine is slated to be the base powerplant on the 2017 F-250 Super Duty. Something new to the Ford Super Duty is a TorqShift-G transmission developed for the 6.2-liter powered models. The six-speed TorqShift-G transmission pledges to deliver improved fuel economy and torque. For ultimate torque production, the 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbocharged diesel V-8 engine returns to the Super Duty line-up for 2017. Chassis cab models will also present the option of a 6.8-liter V-10 powerplant. No performance numbers have been released regarding either the gasoline or diesel engines with the 2017 Ford Super Duty trucks. Since the Ram HD line recently moved to upstage Ford’s toughest diesel trucks with 900 pound-feet of torque, don’t expect Ford to take this lying down.
Through advanced trailer tow technology, As many as seven cameras are available on the 2017 Ford Super Duty providing an incredible view all around the truck. Four of the cameras are enough to create a 360-degree view around the pickup truck. In addition to the cameras placed on and around the front grille, side view mirrors, roof as well as the tailgate, the seventh camera can be mounted on the rear of the trailer itself providing a rear visual perception directly behind the towed load.
Going on sale for the latter part of 2016, the all-new Ford Super Duty’s new, more intelligent work toughness is certain to be put through its paces quickly. Super Duty chief engineer Craig Schmatz summed up the performance of the 2017 truck saying, “The bottom line is Super Duty customers will be able to tow and haul more than ever before.”
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