Autoblog

Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM, Diesel

2011 Ford Super Duty pickup - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford has made it official: beginning with next week's production, the 6.7-liter PowerStroke turbo diesel in the 2011 Ford Super Duty pickup will be upgraded to 400 horsepower and 800 pound-feet of torque. That's a bump of 10 hp and a jump of 65 lb-ft, enough to leapfrog General Motors' 6.6-liter Duramax by 3 hp and 35 lb-ft. Or, to put more bluntly, enough to run over the Duramax on its way to the top of the heavy duty engine heap.

Further, at the end of August, the Super Duty's frame will be strengthened, upping its payload rating by 550 pounds (to 7,070), which will also increase its fifth-wheel tow rating by 1,000 pounds to 22,600.

Although not much can be done for your tow rating if you bought a Super Duty as soon as it hit the showroom, you can get the power upgrade from your suddenly feeble 635 torques. For one year starting on August 31, 2010, will be able to take their pickups into Ford dealers and get their engines tweaked to the new standard. Since there's no hardware involved, Ford says it should take just 20 minutes to get the reflash job done - learn more with the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Photos by Rex Roy / Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.

[Sources: Ford, Detroit News]

Continue reading Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available

Official: Ford 6.7-liter PowerStroke gets 800 lb-ft as of next week, upgrades available originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Aug 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Man spends nearly $200,000 to win right to park truck in his own driveway [w/video]

Zach Bowman — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:02:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Etc., Government/Legal, Videos, Work, Ford

Man pays nearly $200,000 to park truck in his own drive - click above to watch the video

Beware of the home owner's association. Considered this country's most basic, ruthless unit of government, HOAs are typically organized and manned by retirees with little better to do than tell you what to do with your property - something A.J. Vizzi recently learned the hard way. When Vizzi purchased his home in Odessa, Florida, he was told he would be allowed to park his Ford F-350 Super Duty in his home's driveway, even though the neighborhood's rules forbade keeping vehicles anywhere other than the garage. The truck didn't fit in the home's garage.

The local HOA soon changed its mind, and before long a lawsuit ensued. In 2008, a judge ruled in Vizzi's favor, but the association quickly appealed the decision. In March, a second judge sided with Vizzi, and the courts awarded him $187,000 in legal fees to be paid by the HOA. In total, the association claims that the ordeal has cost over $300,000, including the cash it now has to pay to Vizzi. Take a look after the jump to watch a local news report on the legal battle. Thanks for the tip, Sea Urchin!

[Source: My Fox Tampa Bay]

Continue reading Man spends nearly $200,000 to win right to park truck in his own driveway [w/video]

Man spends nearly $200,000 to win right to park truck in his own driveway [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jul 2010 18:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque

Jonathon Ramsey — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, GM

In February, the specs on Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel V8 were announced: 390 horsepower and 735 pound-feet of torque. A month later, General Motors laid out the specs on its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel: 397 hp and 765 lb-ft. According to PickupTrucks.com, the Duramax could be shoved to the corner again later this year, when a high-output Super Duty blows out the footlights with 400 hp and 800 - or more - lb-ft of twisting gumption.

According to the unknown source within the Blue Oval, Ford's new 6R140 TorqShift six-speed transmission has strong enough guts that Ford can open up the taps on that engine a bit. And give GM something to think about. If this absurdly powerful dream does come true, the behemoth motor will be seen in the second wave of 2011 Super Duty pickups that begin production in a few months. No word on whether early adopters of the 6.7-liter will get a free upgrade.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

Report: Ford 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel to churn out 800 lb-ft of torque originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Medium-duty Ford F-Series trucks to get 6.8-liter V10

Zach Bowman — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:19:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Technology, Work, Ford, Off-Road

If you've been itching to hop into the driver's seat of a new Ford medium duty truck, but want a powerful gasoline alternative to the company's diesel engines, you're in luck. The Blue Oval has announced it will shoehorn its 6.8-liter V10 engine into the big SuperDuty trucks starting in the 2012 model year. The engine cranks out 362 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque, and will be mated to the company's TorqueShift six-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox was originally built just for the ridiculous torque levels of the company's 6.7-liter turbo-diesel, so odds are it should have no problem handling the more manageable twist of the V10.

The big-boy ten-pot uses a number of unique design elements. For starters, there are three valves per cylinder - two intake and one exhaust - to help balance performance and affordability. Likewise, Ford has incorporated an intake system with both tall and short runners to allow the V10 to operate at peak power at both low and high RPM.

Ford also says that it will offer a number of alternative fuel packages for the V10, allowing the trucks to run on compressed natural gas or liquid petroleum gas depending on the owner's preference. Buyers can expect to see the trucks hit dealer lots by the fourth quarter of 2011. Hit the jump for the press release.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Medium-duty Ford F-Series trucks to get 6.8-liter V10

Medium-duty Ford F-Series trucks to get 6.8-liter V10 originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 07 Jul 2010 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Rumormill: Ford's Power Stroke diesel getting power increase to beat GM Duramax

Chris Shunk — Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GMC, Rumormill

2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

Volatile gas prices and increasingly stiff emissions standards were supposed to kill the auto industry's horsepower wars, or so we ~~thought~~ feared. Recent news out of the General Motors and Ford camps appears to prove otherwise. The second act in the battle for power supremacy took a turn for the better last November when The Blue Oval announced that the 2011 Mustang would receive a 305-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 powertrain; a hair more punch than the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6's 304-hp output. But what's one extra horse between neighbors, right?

The General struck back a couple weeks ago when it announced power figures for the 6.6-liter Duramax diesel available in the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra heavy duty pickups. The new Duramax pumps out 397 hp and 765 lb-ft of torque, besting Ford's 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel that was announced just a few weeks earlier by seven hp and 30 lb-ft. Ford likely isn't going to take this Super Duty setback lying down, and sources tell our friends over at PickupTrucks.com that the company Henry built is looking to regain the power lead within a year.

PickupTrucks.com reports that the new 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine is an all-new architecture that likely has plenty of room for more punch, while the 6.6-liter Duramax is an older engine with less room for improvement, so the seesaw battle may not last too long. And sources say Ford engineers could crank the mill beyond 400 ponies and 775 lb-ft; or enough power to tow Florida closer to Texas.

But for now GM's new fullsize pickups hold the power figure crown while Ford engineers look on with malice in their micrometers. At least Ford has that one pony lead over the Camaro, right? Rumor has it that the Bowtie brand is working on that one, too.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

[Source: PickupTrucks]

Rumormill: Ford's Power Stroke diesel getting power increase to beat GM Duramax originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 24 Mar 2010 09:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Chevrolet, Ford, GM, GMC, Diesel

2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

Not even a month ago, at the end of our post on the 2011 Ford Super Duty engine specs, we wrote: "General Motors, there's a big ass ball in your court." Someone at GM has apparently grabbed their big ass racket and said, "Oh, I got this...", then smacked the ball right back into play. The Ford's measurements 390 horsepower, 735 pound-feet of grunt. The General has just announced that its 6.6-liter Duramax turbo diesel has 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft. of torque, a jump of 32 horsepower and 105 lb-ft. over the previous Duramax.

A closer look at the numbers does reveal some give-and-take, however. The Ford's maximum tow rating is 21,600 pounds, while GM's is 20,000 pounds. And while not exactly engine related, the Ford truck also has a higher max payload than the GM twins. Still, the RenCen pickups take the power crown, and the new Duramax is more efficient than the previous one - GM didn't put a specific mileage number to it, but claims 680 miles of highway going possible from the 36-gallon tank. You'll find GM's press release on the new engine after the jump.

In related news, GM has released the first image of its GMC Sierra Denali HD pickup, mechanical and sheetmetal twin of the Chevrolet Silverado HD. There's an additional press release after the jump for it as well.

So... anyone else want to take a swing at that even bigger ass ball?

Gallery: 2011 GMC Sierra Denali HD

[Source: General Motors via PickupTrucks.com]

Continue reading GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD

GM quickly one-ups Ford with 2011 Duramax diesel ratings, shows off GMC Sierra Denali HD originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 08:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest tools

Rex Roy — Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, First Drives, Off-Road

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's a guy thing. Tim Allen understands. If you've got a job to do, you need the right tool. As guy logic goes, the bigger and more powerful the tool, the better.

If what you do requires a tool shaped like a truck, then you're currently experiencing a nirvana-like period in history. In just the last few months, Chrysler and General Motors introduced their new heavy-duty trucks. We drove the 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty in October and liked it. We also saw the Chevrolet and GMC HDs at the Chicago Auto Show last month. Although we've yet to get behind the wheel, the powertrain and chassis improvements appear promising.

Not to be left out, Ford's rolling introduction of its latest F-Series Super Duty just culminated with an Arizona-based press-only driving event (we first reported on the new truck in September). Want to know everything about Ford's big, new tool? For starters, the blue oval on the grille measures 13 inches. Believe it or not, there's more. Find out after the jump.

Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest tools

First Drive: 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty brings the biggest tools originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 08 Mar 2010 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Super Duty power, towing specs released

Damon Lavrinc — Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:59:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford

2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

Heavy duty truck lovers have been waiting for these figures for a while, so let's just cut to the main course. The 2011 Ford Super Duty can be had with two engines: the 6.2-liter gasoline-powered V8 found in the upgraded SVT Raptor, which puts out 385 horsepower and 405 pound-feet of torque, or an all-new, Ford-designed 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 producing 390 hp and a pavement pummeling 735 lb-ft of twist (at 1,600 rpm).

The latter engine in the F450 is able to tow some 24,400 pounds and has a maximum payload of 4,920 pounds. The F350, which is the closest competitor to the Chevrolet, GMC or Ram equivalent, comes to the fight with 21,600 pounds of towing capacity and 6,520 pounds of payload (if you're curious why the F450's maxium payload is less than the F350's, check out this explanation half-way down the page). Each engine is mated to a 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission.

Our First Drive of the new King of the Hill will be forthcoming, but you can get all the details in the press release after the jump. Oh, and General Motors, there's a big ass ball in your court.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Super Duty

Continue reading 2011 Ford Super Duty power, towing specs released

2011 Ford Super Duty power, towing specs released originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 25 Feb 2010 00:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:31:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Truck, Work, Ford

2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty Fire Truck - Click above for high-res image gallery

We're always up for a good cause, and that's exactly what this Ford Super Duty Fire Truck represents. According to Ford, it will make an initial $10,000 contribution to the Los Angeles County Firefighters Widows and Orphans Fund, plus $10 for each person that visits its stand at the LA Auto Show and another $20 for every person that takes a test drive in a new Ford vehicle throughout the duration of the show - up to a maximum of another $6,000 per day.

Naturally, Ford is looking for a little exposure along the way, and we don't really have any problem with that. After all, it's certainly not uncommon to see Super Duty chassis cabs upfitted as fire department vehicles, and that's exactly what Ford has on display right now in LA. Included in the makeover are a 300-gallon water tank, eight-gallon foam cell, two pumps, an electric rewind reel with 150 feet of hose, three-stage winch with 8,000-pound capacity and 100 feet of wire rope.

Naturally, the top-spec 6.7-liter turbocharged diesel Power Stroke V8 engine is present and accounted for, along with a heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission that features available Live Drive Power Take Off (PTO), which allows the truck's engine to power axillary equipment whether the truck is stationary or in motion. See more in the press release after the break and check out our photo gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford F-550 Super Duty Fire Truck

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA

LA 2009: Ford Super Duty Fire Truck developed for charity, doing good in LA originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Dec 2009 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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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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Autoblog Podcast #147

Dan Roth — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST

Filed under: Podcasts, Etc., Audi, BMW, Chrysler, Dodge, Ford, GM, Hyundai, Toyota, Rumormill

Click above for the Autoblog Podcast in iTunes, RSS or listen now!

Episode #147 of the Autoblog Podcast is ready for your consumption. Chris calls in to Sam and Dan, and the trio bites into a few timely topics. BMW's move to put its turbo 4.4 liter V8 into the M5 is our first subject of conversation, before moving on to more powertrain news with the rumors that the 2011 Hyundai Sonata will be a four-cylinder-only affair. Audi's fuel mileage achievement with its A3 TDI is up next, before we go all power crazy and touch on Rhys Millen's mid-engined Genesis Coupe. Wrapping it up, we head to truckville, thinking about what it would mean for Chrysler to make Ram its own nameplate, ponder the new Toyota 4Runner, and finally chat about the new Ford SuperDuty before moving on to some of your excellent questions.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with our survey and in iTunes, as always, drop us a line at Podcast at Autoblog dot com. See you again next week, and if you start to miss your Weblogs Inc. podcasts, there's our friends at Engadget and Joystiq to help get you through the pain.

Continue reading Autoblog Podcast #147

Autoblog Podcast #147 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Sep 2009 16:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Ford Super Duty debuts at Texas State Fair

John Neff — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Misc. Auto Shows, Diesel

2011 Ford Super Duty - Click above for high-res image gallery

The circle is now complete. Following a couple model years after the redesigned F-150, Ford has taken the wraps off the new 2011 Super Duty model at the Texas State Fair today. The new Super Duty debuts with a new look, new diesel engine called "Scorpion" 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8, and an all-new 6.2-liter gas-powered V8 (NOTE: This should be the same 6.2-liter V8 destined for duty in the F-150 SVT Raptor). Ford has still not released power figures for either engine, but the Power Stroke diesel does have the ability to run on B20 biodiesel.

Also new is a 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission that features manual SelectShift control and a Tow Haul option with integrated exhaust braking. The new transmission also offers an optional Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) feature that was first developed for agricultural machines. Live Drive PTO allows the engine to power auxiliary equipment like snow plows, cement mixers and tow truck lifts directly through the transmission.

Of course, the new Super Duty wouldn't be a Ford truck if it didn't offer best-in-class towing and hauling capabilities, and since the previous Super Duty already held that crown, the new one puts Ford even further ahead of other heavy duty trucks. Again, no hard numbers were given, but expect enough irresistible force to dislodge any immovable object.

The new Super Duty is also packed with all of Ford's latest technologies like Hill Start Assist, Hill Descent Control, Trailer Sway Control, Trailer Brake Control and AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control, among others. Ford Works Solutions is also available, and the interior features a new 4.2-inch auxiliary LCD screen between the gauges for keeping track of what the truck's technologies are doing.

The new exterior design of the 2011 Super Duty also takes the biggest of Ford trucks in a new direction with the boldest front end yet that appears much more integrated with the cab and bed than previous models. Vertically stacked headlights frame a new grille that sports two big horizontal bars and a Ford logo large enough to read from a mile away. Check out the full gallery of official high-res images from Ford below and the press release with even more details after the jump.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Super Duty

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading 2011 Ford Super Duty debuts at Texas State Fair

2011 Ford Super Duty debuts at Texas State Fair originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8

Sam Abuelsamid — Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Work, Ford, Diesel

2011 Ford "Scorpion" Power-Stroke 6.7-liter diesel V8 - Click above for high-res image gallery

Ford's issues with its long-time heavy duty diesel engine supplier Navistar will soon be coming to an end. The 2011 edition of the Ford Super Duty pickup will get an all-new diesel V8 designed in-house code-named Scorpion. So now, if Ford has any durability issues with its big diesels, it will have no one to blame but itself.

Officially the Scorpion retains the Power Stroke badge, but that and eight cylinders in a V-configuration are all that is carried over. The Scorpion engine picks up a variety of technologies that have been appearing on other recent engines, both gas- and diesel-fueled, as well as adding a few new tricks, particularly the turbocharger. The biggest change for the architecture is the move to an inside-out layout. Since the early days of the V-engine configuration, most examples have had the intake system mounted in the valley between the banks with the exhaust on the outside. Like BMW's new turbocharged gas V8 and GM's current on-the-shelf Duramax 4500, the Scorpion switches this around. Read on after the jump to learn more.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Power-Stroke 6.7L diesel V8

[Source: Ford]

Continue reading Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8

Beware the Scorpion! 2011 Ford Super Duty gets all-new 6.7-liter diesel V8 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty

Dan Roth — Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, Ford

The Ford F-Series Super Duty just came in for a refresh last year, but the full-size heavy duty truck segment is so competitive that work never really stops in the pickup studio. The brawny Blue Oval workhorse will get rhinoplasty for 2011, and like the current models, its new styling takes inspiration from a concept vehicle.

Ford designers have taken the SuperChief concept from 2006 as their muse, as it lends its likeness for the Super Duty's grille treatment. The cooling needs of an actual working truck, however, require larger spacing between the grille's chrome bars. There are two bars clearly visible behind the camo, and a third is likely just below the mesh.

Pickuptrucks.com thinks the '11 Super Duty will be powered by the new Scorpion diesel V8 or the upcoming Boss 6.2 liter V8, rather than the current gasoline V10. Manual transmissions are also on the way out. Even with grim forecasts, it would be suicide for Ford to dally on truck development. Besides, what are all those shovel-ready stimulus projects going to need? Trucks, so the new Super Duty might be very well timed, indeed.

[Source Pickuptrucks.com]

Spy Shots: 2011 Ford F-250 Super Duty originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 19 Feb 2009 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Ford Super-Duty's new 6.7L Scorpion diesel

Jonathon Ramsey — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:58:00 EST

Filed under: Spy Photos, Truck, I.C.E., Ford

As is well known by now, Ford and Navistar have parted ways and the Blue Oval is developing diesel engines in-house to replace the PowerStroke lumps still being used. Slated to appear in Ford's trucks by 2011, the new oil burner code-named Scorpion is a 6.7-liter V8 with a host of innovations, some of them seemingly borrowed from cross-town rival GM.

But the first thing you'll notice is that mammoth radiator. PickupTrucks.com estimates that the cooler up front is up to 20-percent larger than the one on the 2008 Super Duty, and that one had already been enlarged by 33-percent over its forebear. The extra cooling could be needed for "extreme towing applications", and if there's one truck that's an extreme tower, it's the F-Series Super Duty.

The Scorpion diesel's innards will be enhanced with reversed intake and exhaust flow, something found on GM's Duramax diesel, and lighter aluminum cylinder heads. Nor will the Scorpion sacrifice mpg for its extra oomph: gains of 40 hp and 70 lb-ft will come with three more miles-per-gallon thanks in part to the truck's new 6-speed tranny that's debut as we speak on the new F-150.

[Source: Pickuptrucks.com]

Spy Shots: Ford Super-Duty's new 6.7L Scorpion diesel originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Oct 2008 17:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford reveals Super Duty Cabela FX4 and Harley-Davidson F-450 models

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Marketing/Advertising, Ford, Specialty

Outdoor enthusiasts and urban cowboys get some love from Ford this year in the form of the Blue Oval's first-ever Cabela FX4-edition F-Series and the latest Harley-Davidson tie-up -- the first time ever the Bar and Shield logo has appeared on the heaviest-duty F-450 model.

Apparently, Ford has found that 76-percent of F-Series buyers hunt and fish, hence the newly expanded relationship between the automaker and the outdoorsy retailer. Consisting mostly of a paint and badge job, the Cabela buyer gets his or her choice of five two-tone paint schemes: Ebony, Oxford White, Forest Green Metallic, Royal Red Metallic and Silver Metallic -- all with Sterling Grey Metallic lower accents along the rocker panels, running boards and wheel arch moldings.

For the twelfth iteration of the Harley-Davidson edition, Ford will put blue-flames along the length of the vehicle and on the black leather seats. Also included are large chromed vents just aft of the front wheels. Expect plenty of Harley logos all over the truck, though a photo has yet to appear.

Along with these two new models, the Super Duty trucks receive an optional spray-in bedliner from the factory, an integrated trailer brake controller, the new Ford Work Solutions suite, Voice-Activated Navigation System with SIRIUS Travel Link and the heavy duty trucks first application of SYNC.

[Source: Ford, Pickuptrucks.com]

Continue reading Ford reveals Super Duty Cabela FX4 and Harley-Davidson F-450 models

Ford reveals Super Duty Cabela FX4 and Harley-Davidson F-450 models originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Damn $4 Gas! Ford kills Boss engine for F-150, Mustang

Chris Shunk — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:02:00 EST

Filed under: Coupe, SUV, Truck, Ford

The tremendous pressure on the auto industry is rapidly unraveling even the most carefully laid out plans. Fuel economy is king right now, and trucks and SUVs have gone from cash cows to the 6,000-pound albatross around the necks of automakers. Ford has been giving us a steady flow of news regarding its plans to weather this wicked storm, including the decision to switch truck and SUV plants into facilities that can produce fuel efficient cars and the delayed launch of the 2009 F-150. Now we're hearing from Mike Levine at Pickuptrucks.com that the Blue Oval has all but killed the once promising Boss V8 engine program.

The powerful V8 engine was slated to appear on models ranging from the new Mustang to the best-selling F-150 and Super Dudy, but a stop work order has narrowed the Boss' available engine bays down to one model. Ford President of the Americas Mark Fields told Levine that while the program isn't being killed completely, it will now only appear in one vehicle. Levine has heard from three sources that the lone vehicle will be the Super Duty, which needs a more efficient replacement for the 6.8L V10. Ford has already spent a load of cash on the beefy pushrod, so killing the program altogether would have been a tough pill to swallow. Ford was also planning on more than one displacement for the Boss, but with it now only going in the Super Duty, it'll likely only appear in 6.2-liter guise.

Ford will likely move any and all monetary and development resources possible away from the Boss, and into the hands of greener projects like the US-bound Fiesta. The move makes abundant sense given the current realities Ford is facing, but it still saddens us that we won't get to mash the pedal to unleash 400 naturally aspirated ponies any time soon.

[Source: Pickuptrucks]

Damn $4 Gas! Ford kills Boss engine for F-150, Mustang originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2008 Ford Super Duty's less than super seats being recalled

Michael Harley — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:34:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Recalls, Safety, Ford

If you own a 2008 Ford F-Series truck, your Fun Friday is made less so by the news of a recall for your truck that involves its seats. Apparently, the front driver's seat on these trucks fail to comply with federal rules for seat back strength, as a weld that connects a bracket and the seat back could crack. The report didn't mention whether cracks have occurred during normal use of the seats or when they're subjected to high loads such as in an accident, though it did say no accidents or injuries had been reported due to the weak welds.

Of the 100,000+ vehicles subject to recall, 87,000 of the trucks are in the United States, while the remaining 14,000 are in Canada, and all are either F-250 or F-550 Super Duty Models.

Ford won't be sending notifications out until later this month, so F-Series owners who just can't wait can call Ford at (800) 392-3673 for more information.

Gallery: 2008 Ford Super-Duty

[Source: The Detroit News]

2008 Ford Super Duty's less than super seats being recalled originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Mar 2008 14:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford to offer "Tough Bed" factory-backed spray-in bed liner

John Neff — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:58:00 EST

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Truck

On the final media day of the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Mike Levine from Pickuptruck.com walked us over to the Ford display to show us an inconspicuous Super Duty sitting among a fleet of Ford commercial vehicles. He wanted to show us the bed, which was filled with DeWalt tools and Ford's new Tool Link system for keeping track of one's tools. The purpose of our visit was not Ford's new fancy in-dash computer for the commercial sector, but rather the spray-in bed liner that the truck was sporting. Called Tough Bed, Ford will soon become the second manufacturer to offer a spray-in bedliner behind Nissan, which began offering its Durabed spray-in bed liner on the 2004 Titan. Ford's Tough Bed will be an alternative to drop-in bed liners, which, while popular, can be susceptible to rusting the bed if water gets between them and the truck's metal. Ford's spray-in liner, meanwhile, is applied by robots at the factory and covered under the truck's three-year or 36,000-mile warranty. Head over to Pickuptruck.com to see Levine's detailed comparison between Ford's factory offering and a popular third-party spray-in liner called LINE-X. Honestly, we wonder what's taken the OEMs this long to offer optional spray-in bed liners, but now that Ford and Nissan are both doing it, don't be surprised if GM, Chrysler and Toyota follow suit quickly.

[Source: Pickuptruck.com]

Ford to offer "Tough Bed" factory-backed spray-in bed liner originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 20 Feb 2008 14:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford already thinking about more aerodynamic F-150

Jonathon Ramsey — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:31:00 EST

Filed under: Truck, Ford

click above for more high-res pics of the 2009 Ford F-150

The Ford F-150 is America's annual best seller, moving more units than anything else since Jimmy Carter was president. It's also one of the most challenged when it comes to cutting through the air, although we know there's worse. If the F-150 is going to clear the hurdle of new CAFE regs, that's going to change: its combined 16.5 mpg won't make it any friends come 2020.

Ford designers, led by North American Design Director Peter Horbury, are already looking at ways to make the next generation F-150 more aerodynamic, despite the all-new 2009 Ford F-150 having just debuted. The problem is, there simply aren't many options for making a difference: the only two components are the giant block of a passenger compartment and the massive drag-creating void of a bed behind it. Ford design did attempt to go a little aero with the front end of the 10th generation 1997-2003 F-150, but that, frankly, wasn't what people expected from an American pickup.

[Source: Auto Week]

Gallery: 2009 Ford F-150

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Ford already thinking about more aerodynamic F-150 originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Jan 2008 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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