Two years ago, Ford Motor Co. took unprecedented measures when debuting its next-generation F-150 pickup, the best-selling vehicle in America for the past 35 years.
The 2015 model year light-duty F-150 half-ton pickup broke new ground with its aluminum body panels, designed to shave weight while increasing fuel economy numbers, performance and towing ratings. Sales continued strong in 2015 and 2016 calendar years as F-150 continued its long, unbroken string as America's best-selling vehicle.
With the successful launch of the revamped light-duty Ford F-150, Ford now wraps lessons learned into their lineup of heavy-duty trucks (which Ford markets as 'Super Duty'). The F-Series Super Duty alliance includes the F-250 (three-quarter ton), F-350 (one ton) and F-450(one and one-half ton). Each step upward increases towing and hauling capacity (along with bottom-line pricing).
Ford invested more than $1.3 billion to its Kentucky truck plant in Louisville in anticipation of the 2017 Super Duty, which also included high-strength aluminum alloy side body panels (helping reduce overall weight by up to 350 pounds) built upon an all-new, fully boxed, high-strength steel frame. This 2017 model year updates represent the first major head-to-toe revamp since Super Duty's 1999 debut.
Hard to miss Ford's family resemblance in these next-generation heavy duty trucks, as many of the nuances introduced two years prior in F-150 morph to Super Duties both inside and out.
Thick, exterior grab handles now adorn a horizontal pose; last year, handles stood vertical. Inside door grab handles are bold too, handy when closing up shop. One aspect noticeably undersized; ventilation controls within a tic-tac-toe-like matrix, sometimes difficult to zero in upon when wearing work gloves.
Returning from last year are two potent V-8 engine choices, one gasoline, the other a diesel opportunity pumping up low-end torque and towing capabilities. The standard engine under hood of Fords F-250 is a 6.2-liter gas engine producing 350 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque (up 24 from 2016). Optional, and powering this week's tester, a second-generation 440-horsepower power stroke turbo diesel with 925 pound feet for torque (up from last year's 860). This engine delivers a maximum tow rating of 18,600 pounds.
Both engines connect with a heavy-duty steering column-mounted six-speed automatic transmission. During highway travel, expect a comforting smooth ride despite sizeable dimensions.
Along with two engine choices, F-250 mix and matches with two bed lengths (six and three-quarter foot, eight foot), three cabin configurations (single row regular cab, Super Cab and full-second-row Super Crew), two drivetrains (rear wheel 4 x 2 or 4 x 4 four-wheel drive) and five identical returning trim levels (XL, XLT, Lariat, a western-themed King Ranch and top-shelf Platinum).
Despite its sizeable dimensions, our F-250 Platinum trim benefitted nicely from class-exclusive adaptive steering technology, all new to the Super Duty lineup and helping ease movement of this weighty package. Contained in the steering wheel itself, a small computer, electric motor and gear unit work in unison to increase responsiveness and control for those piloting behind the wheel.
At low speeds, the angle of front wheels increase, as the steering wheel turns, resulting in less steering effort to maneuver. At higher speeds the ratio changes, resulting in a more relaxed and precise response. Between low and high speeds, the steering ratio changes up to 30 percent.
Growing larger, in select configurations, is the fuel tank. An upgraded capacity 48-gallon tank is now the largest available in the heavy duty segment. The largest fuel tank in the first-generation held 37.5 gallons. The 48-gallon tank graces select long-bed configurations with the 6.2-liter V-8 gas engine. This translates to extended range between fill ups.
Also buking up girth for 2017, the diesel exhaust fluid tank in power stroke 6.7-liter models helping scrub clean harmful diesel particulates. Adding 2.5 gallons from last year's five gallons; the reservoir now holds 7.5-gallons. The bigger tank, coupled with an improved fuel filter and water separator filter, extends interval change times regarding diesel exhaust fluid.
Big rigs benefit from a gentle assist from the latest radar-inspired technology along with some oldschool knowhow to provide a big picture. Ford intersperses up to seven tiny cameras throughout F-250 providing multiple perspectives allowing on-board captains to maneuver this heavy duty truck with real time feedback.
When road bound, large, vertically inspired side view mirror housing provides multiple perspectives. The prominent top mirror provides feedback of each side. A second smaller independent concaved mirror below hones in on the large blind spot region.
All F-250s include the welcome convenience of dampened, gentle drift-down lift gates, eliminating unwelcomed downward 'thuds' when loading and unloading cargo into the open bed. With the gate down, Ford devised an in-vehicle step ladder extending out and down from the gate itself. A left-side hand rail also pulls out and up from the downed lift gate, lending a helping hand when stepping up to the bed now available with LED cargo bed lighting.
The lowest-priced F-250, a single cab XL with gas engine starts at $32,535. Our top-shelf Platinum trim checks in with a $62,310 entry point.
Also identical to F-150, Super Duty's large, square 'platform' between front bucket seats. It's more than an armrest or bin cover, it's large enough to double as a writing desk. Open up, and room inside accommodates iPads, laptops or small household pet. A cup-holder quad flanks front while dual side-byside resides rearward.
An electronic circular gauge left of the ventilation cluster shifts drive preferences from rear drive, to four-wheel drive high and four-drive low. Push-button start is also nearby.
Power retracting side running boards help when boosting bodies into cushy seats from expansive ground clearance. Boards motor out when side doors open and retract back when closed. Grab handles adorn A and B interior pillars. C-Clamped shaped quad-beam LED lighting illuminates a portion of headlight housing. Super Duty's offer an array of grille designs, but Ford's icon Blue Oval logo centers all. Platinum editions include a power sliding back window portion, increasing natural ventilation.
Once comfortably ensconced inside, no problem for the Crew Max's second row accommodating three adults even while crossing their respective legs thanks to generous dimensions a compact sedan could only conjure up in dreams. Delicate cargo may ship inside thanks to seat bottoms manually folding up to meet seatbacks. When carting priceless human cargo, inflatable available rear outboard safety belts offer an extra degree of safety.
Two independent glove boxes, one atop the other, provide options for stowing personal items. The top level's door swings up while the bottom section dips down when utilizing.
Ford's Super Duty line competes with other brand-loyal heavy-duty lines including Ram heavy duty, Chevrolet's Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD and Nissan's impressive debut of its Titan XD, the first serious heavy duty challenge from an import nameplate.
2017 Ford F-250
Platinum starting price: $62,310
Engine: 6.7-liter V-8 turbo diesel
Horsepower: 440
Wheelbase: 159.8 inches
Overall Length: 250 inches
Overall Height: 81.5 inches
Curb Weight: 7,264 pounds
Built: Louisville, Kentucky
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