For Ford Super Duty owners, it is expected to deliver results in the most demanding situations, every day, all day. And Super Duty 2011 delivers.
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Ford's F-Series has been the best-selling line of trucks in the U.S. for 33 straight years. For 2011, Super Duty features both all-new diesel and gasoline engines that are mated to a new transmission. The new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 turbocharged diesel was designed, engineered and built by a Ford team dedicated solely to delivering this class-leading diesel to the next-generation Super Duty to enable continued best-in-class towing and payload.
The result: The new Power Stroke pumps out 390 horsepower at 2,800 rpm, enabling the 2011 Super Duty's class-leading payload capability at 3200 kilograms. Very impressive, isn't it?
The new TorqShift transmission also enables the first application of 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 snow plows, aerial lifts, tow truck lifts, cement mixers or dump trucks. The power is available any time the engine is running.
The AdvanceTrac control module uses additional software to monitor the truck's motion when a trailer is attached. TSC can determine from the yaw motion of the truck if the trailer is swaying and take measures such as applying precise braking or reducing engine torque to help reduce the trailer sway.
The steering gear also is new. The 4x2 F-250 and F-350 Super Duty feature modified steering system geometry which means improved response and precision, and the result is greater customer comfort, confidence and control in all situations.
Inside, customers will benefit from a new reconfigurable flow-through console that improves the functionality of the truck. Storage space is increased about 60 percent, and at least 70 different configurations are possible. A 12-volt power-point is available at the rear of the console and another is located inside the main bin, which is lockable. A 110-volt power inverter is standard with all console configurations.
For many customers, the Super Duty cab also serves as a mobile office. Industry-exclusive Ford Work Solutions is part of available technology to help customers stay connected with their business from the job site and track tools.
A new available 4.2-inch LCD productivity screen allows customers to take full advantage of the 2011 Super Duty's capabilities; an off-road message centre has been added as well. The five-way button on the steering wheel allows customers to navigate through various menu options, several of them relating to fuel economy and towing convenience, never before available on a Super Duty truck. ■
Predominant upper-level ridging stretching from the Southwest to the southern High Plains will allow for another day of record-breaking heat across parts of Nevada and Arizona today.
