At the State Fair of Texas, Ford officially unveiled its F-Series Super Duty pickup truck range, which has been extensively redesigned for the 2011 mode year. The truck’s exterior is notably bolder, and numerous mechanical improvements have the aim of keeping the F-Series the best selling line of trucks in America.The Super Duty will be offered with a choice of two powerful V8 motors — one gasoline unit and one diesel mill. Final horsepower figures have not been disclosed, though Ford says the motors are both more powerful and more efficient than their predecessors.
The recently-announced 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbocharged diesel engine features a compacted graphite iron engine block, optimized for increased durability and reduced weight Aluminum cylinder heads also reduce engine weight. A unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture — an industry-first for a modern diesel — reduces overall exhaust volume, which leads to better throttle response. Heat transfer, noise, and vibration are also mitigated by a reduced exhaust system surface area.
The diesel’s turbocharger features a dual-sided compressor wheel that works in a single housing. The design allows the single unit to deliver the advantages of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package. The high-pressure fuel system injects fuel at more than 29,000 psi, resulting in increased power and efficiency.
The diesel unit is compatible with B20 fuel, which is made of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.
On the gasoline side, the new 6.2-liter V8 uses big-bore architecture to produce more horsepower and what Ford calls ‘class-leading’ fuel economy. As with the diesel motor, Ford has not yet disclosed horsepower or efficiency numbers for the gasoline V8.
Ford says the V8’s large bore (102 mm) allows for larger intake and exhaust valves for improved engine breathing, and the short stroke (95 mm) allows higher engine speed for increased horsepower. Other highlights include an SOHC valvetrain with roller-rocker shafts, dual-equal variable cam timing, two spark plugs per cylinder, and dual knock sensors.
The motor also features better engine crankcase “breathing” and efficiency. Ford says it used computer models to optimize airflow inside the case. Piston-cooling jets squirt oil on the underside of the pistons to keep the piston crowns cool under extreme operating conditions. The cooling jets also allow for a higher compression ratio for better engine efficiency and faster engine oil warm-up on cold starts, also improving fuel economy.
Either motor comes mated to the all-new 6R140 heavy-duty TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission, which was designed to manage the high low-end torque produced by the new diesel engine. The unit also has a manual gear selection mode and increased internal efficiency, resulting in lower fuel consumption.
The new TorqShift transmission also represents the first application of Ford’s new Live Drive PTO (Power Take Off) in a Super Duty-class vehicle. On 2011 Super Duty diesels with the PTO prep option, the PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks.
Other improvements include the introduction of: Hill Start Assist, which applies brakes to prevent rollback; Hill Descent Control, which regulates brakes and throttle while descending; an Electronic Locking Differential, which provides maximum traction by forcing the rear wheels to turn at the same speed; a tire pressure monitoring system; optional side air bags and air curtains; and a new 4.2-inch LCD screen that includes information on specific features such as Trailer Brake Control and Tow Haul.
Ford says the new models have increased towing capacity, but like the engine specs, those numbers have not yet been released.
