Attention: TDR Forum Junkies KINGMAN, Ariz. — King of the road, once again.
That's Ford's claim for the newest generation of its F-series Super Duty pickups, which go on sale this fall as 2005 models — redesigned and ready to take on the toughest jobs, the company says.
Last summer, Ford rolled out the latest generation of the F-150 light-duty pickup, and now it's the Super Duty truck's turn — the first major redesign of these vehicles since 1999.
Although the 2005 Super Duty isn't as drastic a redesign as that of this year's F-150, Ford claims more than 100 "functional improvements," including best-in-class payload and towing capability.
And even with all of the changes, prices of 70 percent of the new models will remain the same as they are for the 2004 trucks, and the remaining 30 percent will increase by no more than 1 percent, the company said.
To underscore these trucks' toughness, Ford invited a group of automotive writers to its Arizona Proving Grounds recently to test the new Super Duty under a variety of conditions, including pulling trailers weighing up to 17,000 pounds.
Because 90 percent of Super Duty buyers use their vehicles for towing, demonstrations of the trucks' towing prowess were important, Ford officials insisted.
Over a day of driving, we tested these trucks against their Chevrolet and Dodge competitors on the open road and on the test tracks at the proving grounds, in the desert near Kingman with an outside temperature of more than 105 degrees.
In drag races on a company track, the Ford trucks pulling trailers up to 13,000 pounds consistently beat comparably equipped Dodge Ram and Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty trucks with trailers of the same weights.
"We're dead certain on beating the competition," said Phil Martens, Ford's group vice president for product creation.
The heavy-duty pickup market is important for Ford because it now leads in sales in this segment with nearly 50 percent of the market, said Marty Collins, general marketing manager for the Ford division.
"This vehicle defines the segment," he said.
Although the vehicle has been restyled, with an aggressive new front end, most of the important changes are underneath, out of sight, Ford officials said.
"Our bold new look says America's toughest truck just got tougher," said Bill Osbourne, Ford's director of product development. "But the real story is capability. This truck can tow a conventional trailer weighing up to 15,000 pounds, and a fifth-wheel trailer of up to 17,000 pounds. "
And maximum payload has been increased by 500 to 1,280 pounds, depending on model, for the F-250 and F-350 series, which make up the bulk of the Super Duty models.
The F-350 Dually model has a maximum payload of 5,800 pounds, which was underscored by having one of these trucks parked on the entrance road to the proving grounds with a Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickup sitting sideways across its bed.
The new Super Duty carries the strongest frame in the industry, Osbourne said, and also the largest wheels. Standard are 17-inch wheels, while 18-inch are optional. A Harley-Davidson edition comes with 20-inch wheels.
All-new brakes, with best-in-class stopping distance.
New coil-spring front suspension, replacing the previous-generation's leaf-spring setup, allowing for improved turning radius — five feet shorter than last year's models.
Redesigned steering system, with "unparalleled steering precision," Osbourne said.
The first factory-installed integrated trailer-brake controller, which coordinates the trailer brakes with the truck's computerized braking system, and automatically turns off the trailer's brakes in a panic-stop situation to prevent trailer jackknifing.
Engine improvements are part of the package, with three available power plants:
A 5. 4-liter, three-valve V-8, rated at 300 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque.
A new 6. 8-liter, three-valve V-10, with 355 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque (class leader for gasoline-powered engines).
And the 6. 0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, rated at 325 horsepower and a class-leading 570 foot-pounds of torque.
In all models, these engines are connected to a five-speed, torque-shift automatic transmission — the same one introduced last year on Super Duty models with the Power Stroke diesel.
"We think this new truck is a winner, and we think we've changed the game once again," Osbourne said.
The trucks are available in two- or four-wheel drive, in a variety of cab and bed configurations, including the roomy crew cabs that hold up to six full-size adults.
Ford says all of the Super Duty trucks — from the F-250 through the F-550 — benefit from the chassis upgrades, including stronger frames and stronger axles.
Here are more details on towing capabilities: Equipped with the 5. 4-liter V-8 engine, the trucks can tow up to 12,300 pounds, an increase of 3,000 pounds.
Those with dual rear wheels, the Dually models, with the 6. 8-liter V-10 and Power Stroke diesels can tow up to 15,000 pounds conventionally, an increase of up to 1,600 pounds over the current model.
The F-250/F-350 Super Duty comes with a new fully boxed front section, which improves strength and torsional stiffness, the company said.
"From the boxed section back, the frame uses steel that is 10 percent to 17 percent thicker, with additional gussets providing even more strength and durability in high-stress areas," product literature says, claiming the thickest gauge steel in any pickup.
The electronic trailer brake controller is integrated into the instrument panel, with graphics that match the rest of the Super Duty interior, the company says. The system also warns the driver if the trailer wiring becomes disconnected.
Ford's TowCommand System also includes a tow-haul mode in the transmission, along with best-in-class brakes and telescoping trailer-tow mirrors.
The 2005 Harley-Davidson Super Duty offers an industry-first "flame" paint option, with choice of black-and-red or blue-on-blue. The flames, designed by a Harley-Davidson factory customizer, are painted using Ford's patented wet-on-wet process, which produces a durable, seamless finish in the factory, the company says.
King Ranch models come with a new wood appearance package to complement the Castaño leather used on seats, steering wheel and other trim.
A new instrument panel layout makes gauges easier to read.
These trucks continue to lead the class in interior space, Ford says. Available front seats include a 40/20/40 split bench that offers a fold-down center arm rest with storage bin and two cup holders.
Rear seats include the available Crew Cab Flex Fold rear bench, introduced in the current model, which allows the user to fold down one or both seatbacks to create a flat shelf, or fold the seat bottoms up and fold out a flat steel load floor. The rear doors of Crew Cab models to swing open 76 degrees for better access to the rear seats.
Ford says the typical Super Duty customer is a man of about age 42, with a household income averaging about $77,000, and self-employed. These customers usually are married and have children, and often use the trucks during the week for their contracting or other businesses, and on the weekends for family outings, towing boats, horse trailers or travel trailers.
Base prices for F-250 and F-350 models will range from $22,390-$38,365 plus $795 freight.
Production of the new trucks will begin later this month at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky. They will go on sale in early fall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KENS 5 and the San Antonio Express-News.
That's Ford's claim for the newest generation of its F-series Super Duty pickups, which go on sale this fall as 2005 models — redesigned and ready to take on the toughest jobs, the company says.
Last summer, Ford rolled out the latest generation of the F-150 light-duty pickup, and now it's the Super Duty truck's turn — the first major redesign of these vehicles since 1999.
Although the 2005 Super Duty isn't as drastic a redesign as that of this year's F-150, Ford claims more than 100 "functional improvements," including best-in-class payload and towing capability.
And even with all of the changes, prices of 70 percent of the new models will remain the same as they are for the 2004 trucks, and the remaining 30 percent will increase by no more than 1 percent, the company said.
To underscore these trucks' toughness, Ford invited a group of automotive writers to its Arizona Proving Grounds recently to test the new Super Duty under a variety of conditions, including pulling trailers weighing up to 17,000 pounds.
Because 90 percent of Super Duty buyers use their vehicles for towing, demonstrations of the trucks' towing prowess were important, Ford officials insisted.
Over a day of driving, we tested these trucks against their Chevrolet and Dodge competitors on the open road and on the test tracks at the proving grounds, in the desert near Kingman with an outside temperature of more than 105 degrees.
In drag races on a company track, the Ford trucks pulling trailers up to 13,000 pounds consistently beat comparably equipped Dodge Ram and Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty trucks with trailers of the same weights.
"We're dead certain on beating the competition," said Phil Martens, Ford's group vice president for product creation.
The heavy-duty pickup market is important for Ford because it now leads in sales in this segment with nearly 50 percent of the market, said Marty Collins, general marketing manager for the Ford division.
"This vehicle defines the segment," he said.
Although the vehicle has been restyled, with an aggressive new front end, most of the important changes are underneath, out of sight, Ford officials said.
"Our bold new look says America's toughest truck just got tougher," said Bill Osbourne, Ford's director of product development. "But the real story is capability. This truck can tow a conventional trailer weighing up to 15,000 pounds, and a fifth-wheel trailer of up to 17,000 pounds. "
And maximum payload has been increased by 500 to 1,280 pounds, depending on model, for the F-250 and F-350 series, which make up the bulk of the Super Duty models.
The F-350 Dually model has a maximum payload of 5,800 pounds, which was underscored by having one of these trucks parked on the entrance road to the proving grounds with a Chevrolet Silverado heavy-duty pickup sitting sideways across its bed.
The new Super Duty carries the strongest frame in the industry, Osbourne said, and also the largest wheels. Standard are 17-inch wheels, while 18-inch are optional. A Harley-Davidson edition comes with 20-inch wheels.
All-new brakes, with best-in-class stopping distance.
New coil-spring front suspension, replacing the previous-generation's leaf-spring setup, allowing for improved turning radius — five feet shorter than last year's models.
Redesigned steering system, with "unparalleled steering precision," Osbourne said.
The first factory-installed integrated trailer-brake controller, which coordinates the trailer brakes with the truck's computerized braking system, and automatically turns off the trailer's brakes in a panic-stop situation to prevent trailer jackknifing.
Engine improvements are part of the package, with three available power plants:
A 5. 4-liter, three-valve V-8, rated at 300 horsepower and 365 foot-pounds of torque.
A new 6. 8-liter, three-valve V-10, with 355 horsepower and 455 foot-pounds of torque (class leader for gasoline-powered engines).
And the 6. 0-liter Power Stroke diesel engine, rated at 325 horsepower and a class-leading 570 foot-pounds of torque.
In all models, these engines are connected to a five-speed, torque-shift automatic transmission — the same one introduced last year on Super Duty models with the Power Stroke diesel.
"We think this new truck is a winner, and we think we've changed the game once again," Osbourne said.
The trucks are available in two- or four-wheel drive, in a variety of cab and bed configurations, including the roomy crew cabs that hold up to six full-size adults.
Ford says all of the Super Duty trucks — from the F-250 through the F-550 — benefit from the chassis upgrades, including stronger frames and stronger axles.
Here are more details on towing capabilities: Equipped with the 5. 4-liter V-8 engine, the trucks can tow up to 12,300 pounds, an increase of 3,000 pounds.
Those with dual rear wheels, the Dually models, with the 6. 8-liter V-10 and Power Stroke diesels can tow up to 15,000 pounds conventionally, an increase of up to 1,600 pounds over the current model.
The F-250/F-350 Super Duty comes with a new fully boxed front section, which improves strength and torsional stiffness, the company said.
"From the boxed section back, the frame uses steel that is 10 percent to 17 percent thicker, with additional gussets providing even more strength and durability in high-stress areas," product literature says, claiming the thickest gauge steel in any pickup.
The electronic trailer brake controller is integrated into the instrument panel, with graphics that match the rest of the Super Duty interior, the company says. The system also warns the driver if the trailer wiring becomes disconnected.
Ford's TowCommand System also includes a tow-haul mode in the transmission, along with best-in-class brakes and telescoping trailer-tow mirrors.
The 2005 Harley-Davidson Super Duty offers an industry-first "flame" paint option, with choice of black-and-red or blue-on-blue. The flames, designed by a Harley-Davidson factory customizer, are painted using Ford's patented wet-on-wet process, which produces a durable, seamless finish in the factory, the company says.
King Ranch models come with a new wood appearance package to complement the Castaño leather used on seats, steering wheel and other trim.
A new instrument panel layout makes gauges easier to read.
These trucks continue to lead the class in interior space, Ford says. Available front seats include a 40/20/40 split bench that offers a fold-down center arm rest with storage bin and two cup holders.
Rear seats include the available Crew Cab Flex Fold rear bench, introduced in the current model, which allows the user to fold down one or both seatbacks to create a flat shelf, or fold the seat bottoms up and fold out a flat steel load floor. The rear doors of Crew Cab models to swing open 76 degrees for better access to the rear seats.
Ford says the typical Super Duty customer is a man of about age 42, with a household income averaging about $77,000, and self-employed. These customers usually are married and have children, and often use the trucks during the week for their contracting or other businesses, and on the weekends for family outings, towing boats, horse trailers or travel trailers.
Base prices for F-250 and F-350 models will range from $22,390-$38,365 plus $795 freight.
Production of the new trucks will begin later this month at Ford's Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Ky. They will go on sale in early fall.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
KENS 5 and the San Antonio Express-News.
