Ford F-Series Super Duty officially unveiled

Detroit Free Press reports that the pickup is part of Ford’s F-Series Super Duty lineup of pickups and chassis cubs that switched to aluminum body from steel. First there was the prototype that exploded in Death Valley during testing last August. Nissan will have a hefty hurdle to overcome selling the heavier-duty diesel model out of the gate; however, after a few months, the production plant should have more cab configurations and powertrains for us to test.

Though a more formal unveiling event is coming later this morning at the State Fair of Texas, Ford was kind enough to pass along all the details on these new trucks and a bunch of photos in advance.

A quartet of trim levels-XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum-will again be offered.

The interior is upgraded all the way around and the rear seat belts are the newest-generation inflatable units. The truck will go on sale in the fourth quarter of 2016 as a 2017 model-year vehicle, Scott said. The truck’s profile doesn’t change too much from the current model, though it does look a bit leaner and more modern than the current truck. The answer is simple, Ford reinvested the weight savings right back into capability, while still light-weighting to an impressive degree.

Despite the shift, Ford Global Product Development head Ran Nair says that the new vehicle is the “toughest, most capable Super Duty we’ve ever done”. We’d share those improved specs with you now, but Ford hasn’t yet made them available. And, like the F-150, these trucks haul in big profits for the automaker. Ford updated the interior design with the inclusion of a dual compartment glove box and overhead console-mounted auxiliary switches. SuperCab and Crew Cab owners will be pleased to find a flat floor in the second row, the better to handle whatever cargo they might wish to stuff back there.

Remote tailgate lock and release:Tailgate can be locked/unlocked and opened with the key fob, eliminating manual locking and increasing convenience and security. The new “mil-spec” aluminum body is stronger than the old steel body and more dent resistant. All-new advanced coaching and camera technology makes conventional and gooseneck/fifth-wheel towing easier and more efficient than ever.

“As we remove weight, we’re making Super Duty more productive by giving our customers better towing and payload capability”, said Craig Schmatz, Super Duty chief engineer. An all-new six-speed transmission, which Ford is calling the TorqShift-G, will also debut behind the 6.2L V-8. However, it would not require downtime beyond the normal shutdown of facilities in summer at the Kentucky Truck facility in Louisville, according to Ford spokesman Mike Levine. However, its frame would still be made of high-strength steel.

Towing is core to the Super Duty mission.

The new Super Duty models are no exception and Ford says there are 16 new tech features on these pickups that are segment-firsts. There is also a 360-degree camera system that uses four digital, high-definition cameras for a bird’s-eye view surrounding the truck.

It’s available with up to seven cameras, including a new attachable trailer camera to improve visibility when backing. However, it will use a new adaptive steering system that will be able to adjust to different driving situations and reduce the amount of steering input needed, depending on speed and load.