The 2012 Ford Super Duty offers two powerful V8 options that each provide provide high towing performance. The base offering is a 6.2-liter gasoline engine, while those needing gobs of extra torque can opt for the 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel. Both engines are offered on all twelve of the F-250, F-350 and F-450 trim levels. Unlike previous generations of the Super Duty, both the gas and turbodiesel engines are designed and built in-house by Ford.

The 6.2-liter V8 churns out 385 horsepower at 5500 rpm and 405 lb/ft of torque at 4500 rpm. It features a single overhead cam (SOHC) configuration packaged in an aluminum cylinder head with a cast iron block. Performance and efficiency are optimized through the use of electronic fuel injection and variable cam timing technology, as well as dual spark plugs per cylinder. In addition to regular unleaded gasoline, the 6.2-liter is capable of running on E85 ethanol fuel.

While the 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 only makes 15 extra horsepower (400 @ 2800 rpm), it almost doubles the gasoline engine's torque output, producing 800 lb/ft at a much lower 1600 rpm. The extra low-end power and torque make the Power Stroke diesel ideal for heavy towing and off-the-line acceleration. The 6.7-liter is an overhead valve (OHC) pushrod configuration, fed by a single-sequential intercooled turbocharger. Like the 6.2-liter, the Power Stroke features an aluminum head, while the engine block is made of higher-strength compacted graphite iron. It has the ability to run on either ultra-low sulfur or B-20 diesel fuel. While the 6.7-liter is the most powerful Power Stroke engine to date, Ford says it is also the quietest and cleanest-burning diesel they have produced.


 

Both the gas and diesel engine options come standard with Ford's SelectShift 6-speed automatic transmission. As with previous model years of the third generation Super Duty, no manual gearbox is available. However, the SelectShift automatic gives the driver the ability to manually select gears, as well as lock out higher gears for towing performance. Ford says the 6-speed auto offers all the benefits of a manual transmission while improving both gas mileage and drivability.

In addition to the two engine options, Ford offers both 4x2 and 4x4 drive options, as well as nine different axle configurations including conventional, limited slip, and electronic locking differentials. There are also numerous gear ratios available at 3.31, 3.55, 3.73 and 4.3. With these available options, the 2012 Super Duty can be configured to perform optimally under virtually any towing and weather conditions.