Ford reveals lighter, stronger Super Duty

Ford has unveiled first details of its 2017 F-Series Super Duty, with a new chassis, an aluminium-alloy body and a host of smart features headlining the changes for America's best-selling heavy-duty pick-up.

Ford says the new Super Duty chassis is comprised of 95 per cent high-strength steel, making it up to 24 times stiffer.

A multitude of Super Duty driveline components have been strengthened too. Without yet releasing figures – expect that in a steady drip-feed of information between now and the Super Duty's launch – Ford says the new models will give customers "more towing and hauling capability than ever before".

As a guide, the current F-450 has a maximum towing capacity of 31,200lb (14,152kg) for goose-neck trailers and 19,000lb (8618kg) for conventional trailers.

Spanning the F-250, F-350 and F-450 models in XL, XLT, Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum trim grades and Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab body styles, the 2017 Super Duty range has taken a leaf out of the recently updated F-150 in that for the first time it adopts aluminium-alloy body panels.

Ford says this has helped the new Super Duty achieve weight savings of up to 350lb (159kg). That's half of the weight saving bestowed on the latest F-150, but it still helps boost the Super Duty's payload and towing capacities, while the aluminium alloy is said to fare better than steel when it comes to smaller dents and corrosion.

The new chassis also features an open-C-section design behind the cab to aid bodybuilders seeking to convert the truck to handle any of a wide variety of applications.

The 2017 Super Duty's technology has received a significant boost. The driver can call on up to seven cameras to help when towing either gooseneck or conventional trailers, including a 360-degree camera for a bird's-eye view and a high-mounted brake light camera to ease trailer hook-up. There's even a camera that can be fitted to the trailer – a factory first, says Ford – making hook-up even easier.

Other amenities including a tyre-pressure monitoring system, LED lighting, adaptive cruise control, load adaptive steering, and Ford's SYNC 3 multimedia unit with eight-inch touch screen, advanced graphic interface and a wide array of voice commands.

A Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) is optimised to take the length of the pick-up and trailer into account, and uses radar sensors in the taillights to monitor areas not easily viewed by the driver.

Other safety aids include lane departure warning and collision prevention systems, the latter tripping visual and audible alerts to flag a potential frontal collision while also pre-charging the brake system.

All up, Ford says the 2017 Super Duty brings with it no fewer than 16 first-in-class features.

Three engine options will be available, with the existing 6.7-litre V8 diesel engine and 6.2-litre V8 petrol engine now backed up by a range-topping 6.8-litre V10 petrol engine. Ford is yet to release performance data for the new Super Duty line-up.

Ford says all three cabs are now longer and feature new interiors, while the tailgate can now be locked/unlocked and opened remotely via the pick-up's key fob.

"While Super Duty is America's best-selling heavy-duty truck, we never take our leadership for granted," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development and chief technical officer.

"Our team is using relentless innovation in materials, technology and Built Ford Tough engineering to deliver customers our best Super Duty yet."

Ford's 2017 Super Duty range will be built at its Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, and the manufacturer says it will go on sale in the US in late 2016.

While Ford's F-150 and Super Duty models aren't official imports for Australia, right-hand drive conversions are available here through businesses such as Harrison F-Trucks and Performax International.