Luckily, Ford hasn’t forgotten about either one of those core components. The 6.8-liter V10 is still around (but only available for chassis cab customers), the mighty 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 gets more torque (probably enough to best the 900 pound-feet from the 2016 Ram 3500’s Cummins power plant), and the E85-capable 6.2-liter gas V8’s fuel economy, horsepower, and torque numbers go up.
That last engine also receives a new six-speed transmission in the F-250: the TorqShift-G. You might recognize the first part of that name; that “G” makes all the difference, though. The new tranny’s higher first-gear ratio enables better first-gear launches. Acceleration from rolling stops improves, too.
The TorqShift-G’s downshifts are faster than those in the regular TorqShift and engine-speed-matched (thanks, Mustang!). The quality of upshifts has been improved as well.
Given that Ford says 90 percent of Super Duty buyers tow, I’m sure many of you will be happy to know that the TorqShift-G features “aggressive transmission gear-based grade braking availability in Tow/Haul mode” for maximum control of the truck whether its aluminum bed is loaded or its beefier hitch is pulling a giant trailer. On top of all that, the F-250’s brakes will live longer lives.
That last bit of news is especially great because the Blue Oval says the new Super Duty can carry and pull more than ever before. The 2017 Super Duty won’t be in dealerships until fall of next year, so it’s going to be a while until we find out what those particular figures are.
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
