It’s another record for the Blue Oval: Beginning in August, the company began packing its 2011 F-Series Super Duty with the most powerful diesel engine every used in a heavy-duty pickup. But not only has the big truck’s turbocharged 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 been upgraded to produce 400 hp and a ground-shaking 800 lb-ft of torque—best-in-class numbers in both measures—but it will also deliver 20 percent better fuel economy than the outgoing engine.
Even better? For those who have already purchased a 2011 Super Duty, which went on sale in April, Ford will offer an industry-first loyalty campaign to upgrade their engines to reach these numbers as well. The loyalty program kicks off August 31 and will implement the same software adjustments to the trucks’ powertrain control modules as received by the pickups now coming off the assembly line. This is pretty exciting stuff claims Brian Chapman, General Manager, at Homer Skelton Ford in Olive Branch, MS, a Memphis Area Ford Dealer.
“These numbers are impressive, yes, but that is not why they matter,” said Barb Samardzich, vice president of powertrain engineering for Ford. “These numbers matter because our customers say they do. The higher torque means that fleet operators, such as Florida Power & Light, can plow through deep swamps and get to downed power lines faster and more confidently. It means that oil and gas crews in the Northwest can tow up an 8,000-foot grade maintaining a steady speed and using less fuel.”
The story behind the Power Stroke’s new-found power, according to Chris Brewer, chief engineer on the 2011 Super Duty, is that when it was originally released this spring, “We took a conservative approach that ensured that the new Power Stroke would be absolutely bulletproof while delivering significantly improved power.” Then, “Our testing procedures proved to us we could push the hardware a little harder,” while still making “absolutely sure our customers received an engine that was outstanding in all the key attributes: durability, reliability, power, performance and fuel economy.”
Specific benefits of the Super Duty’s diesel include:
- A compacted graphite iron block, the first in the Super Duty’s class in North America, for reduced weight and maximum strength.
- A unique inboard exhaust and outboard intake architecture that produces better throttle response and improved NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) performance.
- An enhanced overall engine design that’s easier to service.
- The industry’s first turbocharger to feature a dual-sided compressor wheel that works in a single housing, delivering the benefits of a twin-turbocharger system in a smaller, more efficient package.
- B20 fuel compatibility, allowing greener fueling options of up to 20 percent biodiesel and 80 percent petroleum diesel.
These Ford-only advantages will mean further changes in one of the most important HD pickup segments, where the F-350 dual-rear-wheel models will get upgraded to deliver best-in-class—and Chevrolet-topping—maximum payload and fifth-wheel towing ratings. Harriman TN boats says the former will go from 6,520 lbs up to 7,070 lbs, while the latter increases from 21,600 lbs to a full 22,600 lbs.
“Customers of the F-350 dual-rear-wheel configuration push their trucks to the limit and are the ultimate payload and towing users,” said Brewer. “And like with the diesel upgrades, we’ve found we can push the Super Duty even harder and bump up the ratings. The fact we have more torque and horsepower makes the job that much easier.”
And it also makes the 2011 Super Duty that much better for customers.
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