2017 Ford Super Duty
Ford’s 2017-model F-350/450 Super Duty includes a stronger steel frame, improved axles/springs and suspension, and multiple gasoline and diesel engine and transmission combinations.
Following a similar change in the latest F-150, the 2017 Super Duty will include a military-grade aluminum-alloy body, which the company says is more dent- and ding-resistant than the outgoing steel body and not subject to corrosion.
The Super Duty’s frame is composed of more than 95% high-strength steel that’s said to offer up to 24 times more stiffness than the previous frame and is designed to improve towing and hauling capability. The aluminum body and steel frame combine to reduce the Super Duty’s weight by up to 350 lb, allowing for better towing and payload capability.
For powertrains, the 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 diesel engine is available for both pickup and chassis-cab models. Available on the F-250 pickup is a 6.2L V-8 gasoline engine mated with Ford’s TorqShift-G transmission. The Super Duty chassis-cab lineup includes a choice of 6.7L Power Stroke V-8 Diesel, 6.8L V-10 gasoline, or 6.2L V-8 gasoline engines.
The F-Series Super Duty is also available with several driver-assist technologies, including lane departure, blind spot, adaptive cruise control and collision warning features.
The Blind Spot Information System with trailer tow is optimized for Super Duty to include the length of the trailer and uses radar sensors in the tail lamps to monitor blind spots. The lane departure warning feature alerts a driver when they stray from a lane through a series of steering wheel vibrations.
Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support makes use of sensors to detect slower vehicles moving in the same direction. If another vehicle gets too close, red lights flash on the windshield and a warning is sounded. If a driver fails to brake, the brake system is pre-charged to stop faster when the brake pedal is pressed.
All three cabs – Regular Cab, SuperCab, and Crew Cab – are longer and include new interior designs.
The truck will be built at Ford’s Kentucky truck plant, and won’t go on sale until late next year.
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