All-new 6.4-liter Power Stroke ® Diesel is cleaner, quieter and more powerful

A more powerful 6.4-liter Power Stroke ® Diesel joins a powertrain lineup that already includes the segment’s most powerful gasoline engine, the 362-horsepower 6.8-liter V-10 Triton.

Annual U.S. diesel truck registrations have increased to more than 500,000 a year from about 400,000 in 2001. Ford has long been the industry leader, selling 1.3 million diesel-powered F-Series pickups in the United States since 2001 alone. Ford sells more diesel-powered pickup trucks annually than Chevrolet and Dodge combined. Nearly three-quarters of all Ford Super Duty trucks sold are diesel-powered.

The new engine benefits from an innovative development process designed to more accurately reflect how Super Duty customers use their vehicles every day. The team began by collecting real-world data from working Super Duty commercial customers, tracking their daily duty cycles. That data was used to develop durability tests that more closely represented real-world use. To better assure durability, the tests were conducted using the most extreme and abusive conditions and run to five-times the life cycle that the hardest-working truck would ever experience.

“By the time we launch this vehicle,” said Dan Davidson, Powertrain supervisor, “the engine will have seen more than 10 million equivalent miles of testing both on the dyno and in test vehicles.”

The 6.4-liter Power Stroke ® Diesel delivers 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque starting at 2,000 rpm and utilizes Ford Clean Diesel Technology, which includes, among other features, a high-pressure, common rail fuel system, Piezo-electric fuel injectors and an advanced diesel particulate filter system to deliver strong performance while reducing particulate output by more than 90 percent and posting emissions numbers on par with gasoline engines.

High-tech, series sequential turbochargers provide improved response and better low-end performance. The unique system uses a small, electronically controlled, smart remote variable geometry turbocharger that comes on at low rpm to provide extra boost at take-off. As rpms increase, the larger fixed turbo joins the smaller turbo to boost power through the middle of the torque curve. As optimum speed is reached, the larger turbo takes over. Tests have shown zero-to-60 times of more than a second faster than the outgoing 6.0-liter.

Transmission choices include a six-speed manual with overdrive or a TorqShift™ five-speed automatic. The powertrains use a new unique mounting system that better isolates the powertrain and reduces vibration. Both two- and four-wheel-drive models will be available on the 2008 Super Duty.

New interior provides quiet comfort and improved ergonomics

The all-new interior builds on the successful tough luxury design established by the Ford F-150 and advanced for Super Duty, increasing capability, quietness and refinement to levels never before available in Super Duty’s segment.

“We know people are spending more time in their trucks, and this is especially true for the Super Duty customer,” said Poore. “The truck is their office. It’s where they do their business. It’s important to not only meet their capability needs but also the comfort and styling needs as well.”

The sharp, modern design features all-new materials and includes luxury touches like contrast stitching on the seats and rich, Chaparral leather on the King Ranch. Like the exterior, Super Duty’s interior was designed to be functional and capable while still delivering a high level of quality and craftsmanship with a luxurious look.

Designers combined rich surfaces with elements borrowed from high-end power tools and butcher block-style wood accents to define the tough-luxury interior.

“Think of it like a modern kitchen, in a way,” said Pat Schiavone, design director Ford trucks. “A kitchen can be very stylish and look very expensive, but it also must be very functional. It was that kind of thinking that drove tough luxury.”

The prominent center stack houses most of the vehicle’s switches, integrating all functions into one easy-to-reach central area. The auxiliary switches and Trailer Brake Control system are now fully integrated into the center stack for a cleaner, user-friendly appearance.

The rings surrounding the gauges and air vents are notched, more angular and defined. The gauges are also better organized and easier to read. All-new door trim features dual map pockets that are better integrated into the interior. A large center console is designed to hold file folders and keep laptop computers tucked out of sight.

Super Duty utilizes several innovative technologies to provide an ultra-quiet cabin. Quiet Steel ®, a unique composite laminated steel sheet, makes up the vehicle’s dash panel and works with extra sound padding in the dash and floor, a rear bulkhead panel and thicker side glass to help keep unwanted noise out of the cabin.

A totally redesigned climate control system has more balanced airflow and refined, quieter operation that improves cabin comfort. The system uses a more reliable, more durable, higher capacity compressor, one of the many components that contribute to the better performance of the A/C system. Floor ducts for the heater now run under the seat, out of site of the rear-seat passengers.

Dual-zone Electronic Automatic Temperature Control (EATC) has been added as a standard feature on the Lariat and King Ranch for 2008, allowing the driver and front passenger to set individual temperatures. Diesel customers can opt for the innovative Rapid Heat supplemental heating system – the first of its kind in North America – that augments the diesel truck’s heater to provide faster warm-up on cold mornings.

“Diesel truck owners will love this,” said Poore. “They’ve come to expect a certain level of performance from their trucks. This system will surprise them.”

All audio systems are now MP3 capable and feature a standard auxiliary audio input. The input allows an MP3 player to play through the vehicle’s stereo system. Super Duty customers can also now opt for a premium a udiophile system, featuring eight speakers with subwoofer and 6-disc CD changer.

A DVD-based navigation system with an in-dash screen is available on FX4 and Lariat SuperCabs and Crew Cabs. Rear seat passengers can enjoy the DVD Entertainment System – available on XLT, FX4 and Lariat Crew Cabs – with an eight-inch video screen, two wireless headphones and remote control.