2011 Ford Super Duty Unveiled at the State Fair of Texas
DALLAS ?? The all-new 2011 Ford Super Duty revealed itself to the world at the State Fair of Texas. Although the foundation of the truck remains relatively unchanged, Super Duty engineers have modified and improved just about every other important aspect of the full-size heavy-duty pickup.
To begin, every Super Duty has a new, hulkier dual-bar grille that houses a dinner-plate-sized Ford blue oval, as well as a new inverted power dome hood. But it’s under the hood where all the significant changes exist.
Without naming exact horsepower and torque numbers, Ford says the all-new 6.7-liter V8 turbodiesel will be the strongest engine it has ever had in the Super Duty lineup. Sources told Inside Line weeks ago that the numbers would be 400 hp and 725 lb-ft of torque.
Additionally, the 2011 Super Duty has a new base engine as well, in the form of a 6.2-liter V8. It features dual variable valve timing, twin spark plugs, aluminum heads, and oil-squirting jets to cool down the aluminum pistons. No word yet on power ratings but we have heard it’ll likely be better than the previous 6.8L-liter V10 in both horsepower and torque (those numbers were 362 hp and 457 lb-ft).
Backing up both new power plants will be an all-new six-speed automatic, called the 6R140. (For 2011, Ford is cancelling the six-speed manual option on all Super Duty trucks.) The new TorqueShift transmission allows the driver to select a manual mode and shift through the gears manually via a thumb selector on the column stalk, and also has a much smarter computer controller to help identify everything from heavy towing to hard-core four-wheeling.
Additionally, all new Super Duty trucks offer a host of other new electronics, ranging from Hill Start Assist and Hill Descent Control to a new 4.2-inch LCD information screen. As to the model lineup, don’t expect Ford to cut any wheelbases or cab configurations, and special packages like the King Ranch and FX4 will remain.
Inside Line says: Looks like Ford has all the right parts and pieces here, but success in this segment is defined by the diesel engine. This new Power Stroke had better be amazing. ?? Mark Williams, Correspondent
