Ford Super Duty gets a major makeover
My last drive in a Ford F-250 took out a couple of roof marker lights when I tried to park it in an airport garage: My bad. But the rest of the truck was solid, powerful, and no-nonsense, if just a little dated, especially compared to the Ram.
Ford has addressed that with the 2023 F-Series Super Duty series, released on the heels of Chevrolet’s new 2024 Silverado HD. “Redesigned inside and out,” Ford says, “every Super Duty is built with unprecedented levels of work capability, ingenious new technology, and a suite of cloud-based services for new levels of productivity.” No mention of the roof marker lights, but that’s between me and the airport.
Ford is especially touting the new connectivity offered on the F-Series, “including a 5G modem connected to a powerful ecosystem of productivity-boosting software and services. The all-new Super Duty can seamlessly shift from workhorse to office of the future,” says Ted Cannis, CEO of Ford Pro. The modem from Qualcomm Technologies can also provide a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to 10 devices.
There are four engine options. Standard is a 6.8-liter V-8 gas engine, with a 7.3-liter gas V-8 that is targeting the best gas horsepower and torque in the class thanks to improved air intake and tuning. There’s a 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel that can go longer intervals between oil changes, and a new high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke V-8 diesel with a unique turbo, upgraded exhaust manifolds, and unique tuning. No word yet on horsepower, but Chevrolet’s new Duramax has 470 horsepower and 975 lb-ft of torque. Every Super Duty has a 10-speed automatic transmission. Four-wheel-drive is standard on XLT models and higher.
There are multiple packages available, such as the Tremor Off-Road Package, which includes a front-end lift and a tuned suspension, a Dana front axle with limited-slip differential and axle vent tubes, 35-inch Goodyear tires in 18-inch wheels, Trail Control, selectable drive modes including a rock-crawl mode, and new for this year, Trail Turn Assist.
Ford says 96 percent of Super Duty customers tow, and they’ve added some new features that make hauling easier. Onboard Scales with Smart Hitch estimates cargo weight in real time and provides guidance on trailer tongue weight distribution directly on the center touchscreen, the FordPass app or within the taillamps. The 360-Degree Trailer Camera System provides a bird’s-eye view of the trailer to make maneuvering in tight spaces easier and with “virtually no blind spots.”
The 2023 Ford F-Series Super Duty is assembled at the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, Kentucky, and Ohio Assembly Plant in Avon Lake, Ohio. The Ford F-Series Super Duty goes on sale in early 2023 with some features and trim series available starting in spring 2023.
