Pull off to the right for Ford's new E-Series Super Duty Ambulance
Click above for more high res pics of the Ford E-Series Super Duty Ambulance
The Ford E-Series Super Duty cargo van is a staple of emergency response teams throughout the U.S., and it's getting faster and cheaper for 2010. New for 2010 is petrol power for paramedics in the form of Ford's 6.8L V10 Triton engine. Prior E-Series vans were only available with diesel engines, but Ford answered customer requests by providing an ambulance with a little more speed for urgent situations while also offering a lower price-point. The massive V10 will give drivers 305 horsepower and 420 ft.-lbs. of torque, which should be enough grunt to move the E-Series Ambulance with a sense of urgency.
The E-Series ambulance also features several heavy duty components to withstand the rigors of fleet life. Among the many features are an auxiliary heater and air conditioning connector package, an available limited slip rear axle and a 225-amp alternator. Hit the jump to read Ford's press release or click on the gallery below to see more high-res pics.
Gallery: 2010 E-Series Super Duty Ambulance
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
* Market-leading Ford E-Series Super Duty® makes its Ambulance Preparation Package available with a gasoline engine, providing more power for quicker response – configuration includes comprehensive package of heavy-duty components at a lower initial acquisition cost
* E-Series Super Duty Ambulance Prep Package offers a powerful, efficient and proven 6.8-liter Triton® V-10 gasoline engine, the TorqShift® five-speed automatic overdrive transmission and four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes
* Available for order this summer, the E-Series Super Duty Ambulance Prep Package is available in both van and cutaway configurations
CHICAGO, March 3, 2009 – A revised Ford E-Series Super Duty® Ambulance package for 2010 – featuring a proven 6.8-liter gasoline engine, a comprehensive array of heavy-duty components and a lower base model costs – will be unveiled today at the National Truck Equipment Association (NTEA) trade show.
"The E-Series Super Duty has been the historical market leader in the ambulance segment," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president of Global Product Development. "Listening to our private fleet and municipal customers, we're seeing demand for a rugged, powerful ambulance – running on comparatively less expensive gasoline – at a lower initial acquisition cost."
Powerful and Responsive
The 2010 E-Series Super Duty gas Ambulance Prep Package features a powerful, responsive and fuel efficient 6.8-liter Triton® V-10 engine. This proven powerhouse delivers 305 horsepower and 420 ft.-lbs. of torque for responsive acceleration in critical emergency run situations.
This engine is mated to a 5R110W five-speed automatic overdrive transmission. Several rear axle ratios are available to meet diverse regional needs, such as higher altitudes. Large diameter 13.58-inch disc brakes and Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) behind all four wheels will bring the E-Series to a smooth stop.
Built Ford Tough
The 2010 E-Series Super Duty Ambulance Prep Package features a comprehensive array of heavy-duty components specifically developed to meet the extreme service needs of ambulance use, including:
* Auxiliary heater and air conditioning connector package
* Available limited slip rear axle
* Super heavy-duty (225 amp) alternator
* Transmission cooler
The lower weight of the gasoline engine provides almost 600 pounds of additional payload capacity.
The Super Duty Ambulance Prep Package features proven 'Built Ford Tough' durability. In fact, there are more E-Series on the road with 250,000 miles – or more – than vans from any other manufacturer, based on R.L. Polk data for Ford vans from 1992-2006, in use as of March, 2007.
Safe and Clean
The Ford E-Series features standard air bags for both driver and passenger. The 2010 E-Series Super Duty gasoline Ambulance Prep Package also meets all applicable 2012 emission standards.
Cost-Consciousness
While final pricing has yet to be announced, two key elements position the E-Series Super Duty gasoline Ambulance Prep Package as the value-conscious entry in this segment.
Lower initial acquisition cost with the gasoline engine, as opposed to the incremental cost of a diesel powertrain, will make the gasoline-powered E-Series accessible to a wider audience of municipalities and private ambulance fleets.
The second element is the comparative cost of widely available unleaded regular fuel, as opposed to diesel fuel, also can represent a significant operational cost savings.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Mobius_1 11:10AM (3/05/2009)
I'd feel safe in one of those. Built Ford Tough.
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Craig 8:07PM (3/05/2009)
It has to be tough to carry the Maccas addicts to the hospital after their heart attacks.
JZeke 11:14AM (3/05/2009)
I sat through an SAE seminar on ambulance design and safety a few months ago which lambasted the design of these box ambulances. Basically, these are the most unsafe vehicle on the road per mile traveled. The reason? those massive boxes on the back aren't subject to the same crash test standards a new vehicle is, and are designed without crumple zones - basically if you're inside, and it wrecks the box will be fine, everything inside will shake up.
Whats worse is they often have really dangerous ergonomics, what with boxes full of equipment and seats designed with no real attention paid to the wealth of safety info manufacturers have collected over the years.
The report when on to compare the American standard with Euro and Australian designs, which are forced to meet the same crash safety requirements the vehicles they are based on have to meet. The result are vehicles like converted Sprinter vans that might be slower and less sexy - but considerably more likely to get you and the EMS team to the hospital alive.
Note - this is Ford's "Ambulance preparation package" - they don't actually produce the box. That's done independently through several specialists. These aftermarket companies are excluded from NHSTA rules for new vehicle construction currently.
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Shawn 11:25AM (3/05/2009)
Man, sitting through that one seminar clearly made you the industry expert in this field. Only if Ford had hired you instead of someone that haven't sat through a seminar.
Darn that Ford...can't never do anything right.
Sea Urchin 11:31AM (3/05/2009)
JZeke, well this is a sale to the government, they buy everything blindly. But is that a surprise?
JZeke 11:33AM (3/05/2009)
I never once knocked Ford, they do make an excellent van.
And no, its not a surprise the government would kludge this one up. They create rules where they arent necessary - but then listen to special interest over making rules that could save lives. Stupid.
The same study I sat through actually praised the design of the standard Ford and GM vans when they were used unmodified - because Ford and GM have to build their standard product to meet all safety regs.
Timsvtgen1 11:36AM (3/05/2009)
In my opinion, I think the major reason ambulances are considered the most unsafe vehicles per mile traveled, is not because of the physical structure of the ambulance but more for the unsafe driving practices of the driver...Any one who has taken a EVOC (emergency vehicle operators course) can tell you that. There are tons of fundamental and standard operating procedures here in the US that also add to the unsafe nature of this vehicle as compared to Europe and Australia. Oh, and btw u were kidding about the part where u mentioned a E-series ambulance and sexy in the same sentence..hehe.
Eric 1:06PM (3/05/2009)
I drove an ambulance for a few years, and while I know the box out back is not safe, I just wonder what alternatives you would suggest? Euro and Aussie ambulances are all van based, they don't use box (type II and type III) units like we do. These van units have less space inside, which is a problem for an ALS unit. Evan a big van is longer than it is wide.
As it is, a Type II or III unit (Type II is a van front end and frame with a box, Type III is a truck front end and frame with a box--Type I is a high-top van) cost about $80K fully outfitted.
JZeke 1:40PM (3/05/2009)
The author and presenter of the study was asked the same question, and it seems that the box has to be designed to NHSTA crash regulations. Of course this is going to pose high up front costs to small specialist manufacturers. A better bet would see these groups working with the manufacturers to share the costs of designing and crash testing the boxes.
Once the first designs are completed and put into use, subsequent ambulances will be able to improve upon the designs incrementally - therefore spreading out the cost of the initial R&D over a greater period.
Quattroporte 11:16AM (3/05/2009)
"The massive V10 will give drivers 305 horsepower and 420 ft.-lbs. of torque..."
Can I get that engine in a Crown Vic?
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Joe K. 11:28AM (3/05/2009)
No it's too massive... 239-hp 4.6L All Around!
tony 11:31AM (3/05/2009)
There was a new edge Mustang a few years ago that team Mustang stuffed the v10 triton in.
They showed it off to a few magazines, and at every test it ate a clutch.
The possibility is there....
A-style 2:26AM (3/06/2009)
Really you'd want something that big with so little power. I know it's a truck engine but they should have been able to squeeze a reliable 100hp more out of something that size.
d4rez 11:27AM (3/05/2009)
Why would you want it in a crown vic, honestly how can you only get 305 hp and 420 ft-lbs out of a V10. Saving lives maybe, the planet definitely not.
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AK 11:37AM (3/05/2009)
Probably they could get more, but maybe it's not a great idea to overtune an engine so that it's more prone to breaking down when it's being used in an application where reliability is key.
Frylock350 11:51AM (3/05/2009)
As its a truck engine, its output is severely detuned. The 450ft-lbs is the more important number anyways. Even with "only" 300hp, a Triton V10 Crown Vic would probably outrun a 370hp Charger R/T.
the vegas style guy 11:31AM (3/05/2009)
Can it fit GM in the back ?
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Pat 6:22PM (3/05/2009)
I think a hearst would be more appropriate!
Machwon 11:34AM (3/05/2009)
Hot! I want one!!
And just imagine the medical fantasies you could fulfill in this thing! ;-)
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Ken Stamper 12:48PM (3/05/2009)
Lol... sorority nurses in candy striper outfits!
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