Autoblog

OC 2009: 2011 Ford Super Duty makes surprise stop

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel, Luxury, Off-Road

2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat King Ranch Edition - Click above for high-res image gallery

We just got back from the 2009 OC Auto Show in Anaheim, California, and we come bearing gifts. Alongside the F-150 SVT Raptor, Ford had parked a 2011 Ford F-350 Super Duty Lariat King Ranch Edition. Even if each of the letters in its name were a foot tall, they'd still fit in this truck's smartly-lined bed. We've already told you about this 2011 Super Duty truck when it was unveiled at the Texas State Fair, a traditional venue for launching new pickups. There's not a lot to add from that previous rundown other than some live photos we snapped to give a better impression of what the real thing looks like in person.

This basically completes the overhaul of Ford's family of F-Series pickups that started a couple of years ago. The 2011 Super Duty debuts with a new look that integrates its massive grille slightly better than before, a new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission that features manual SelectShift control and a Tow Haul option with integrated exhaust braking, and either Ford's new diesel 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 engine that's been dubbed the "Scorpion," or what we believe to be the Raptor's 6.2-liter gas V8. Still no power figures for either engine, but the Power Stroke diesel does have the ability to run on B20 biodiesel.

The new exterior design is bold, but in a restrained way. The grille is massive and everything is big and brawny, but none of the details seem to be very polarizing. In person we really liked those vertically stacked headlights and the grille didn't appear as gigantic with its outer ring in body color. The lighted running boards and swanky interior on this top-level model are probably more than most heavy haulers will want or need, but it did look like a comfortable ride. Still, we'll take the F-150 SVT Raptor instead. Check out the full gallery of high-res images below.

Gallery: OC 2009: 2011 Ford Super Duty

OC 2009: 2011 Ford Super Duty makes surprise stop originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Nissan, Toyota, Off-Road

Quick - What's the best-selling light-duty pickup truck in America? Did you say the Ford F-150? Not so fast. According to the J.D. Power Information Network (via our friends at PickupTrucks.com), General Motors sold more Chevy Silverado 1500 pickups (119,959 units) in June that Ford sold F-150s (107,778 units), and that's not a fluke.

It seems that the automakers don't actually break out the sales of each pickup line when reporting overall figures, so Ford lumps all F-Series (F-150, F-250, F-350...) sales together when it correctly lays claim to the title of Best-Selling Pickup Line in America. Ford's Super Duty series commands nearly 50-percent of the HD pickup market, which puts the Blue Oval on top of the overall sales race.

Interestingly, all three American automakers picked up full-size pickup market share at the expense of Nissan and especially Toyota, which saw sales of its Tundra plummet from 76,516 units to just 36,106 units in June of 2009 compared to one year ago. Click here for the full breakdown of full-size truck sales data.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Numbers Don't Lie: Silverado beats out F-150 as America's best-selling light-duty pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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SEMA Preview: Performance West Group Ford F-350 Striker

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, SEMA Show, Tuners, Truck, Ford, Specialty

Athletic governing bodies are coming down hard on steroids and HGH, which has probably led to a glut on the market. Performance West Group appears to have bought up the entire surplus and injected it into a Ford F-350 dually in order to create the Striker. Part pickup and part Ford Mustang GT500KR, the Striker will be intimidating other vehicles at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas.

The greatest tuning minds of our generation are assisting PWG with the project. Gale Banks is tuning the PowerStroke V8 engine above its 350 hp and 650 lb-ft. Hulst Customs is fabricating the bodywork. American Lightweight will be providing the aluminum 24" wheels. Katzkin Leather and Sony are doing duty inside to make sure you enjoy what will surely be a monster system in beauteous comfort.

PWG will then drape the entire thing in Striker Silver and Badass Blue and then probably let it loose to kill things. The rationalist in us wants to ask "What the...?" The auto junkie in us wants to stick it in the driveway and let it reek of testosterone. And then transform into a Decepticon. Which means we can't wait for SEMA.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

SEMA Preview: Performance West Group Ford F-350 Striker originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 20 Sep 2008 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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