The 2008 Ford F-Series Super Duty, the industry’s most capable full-size heavy-duty work truck, comes equipped with even more capability, thanks to new features added within months of its initial launch.

Ford has added new features to respond to strong initial customer demand for the highest-end, most capable Super Duty models, including the all-new Ford F-450 - the first-ever Class 4 pickup from the factory. Upgrades include select F-350 dual-rear-wheel (DRW) models that can be outfitted with the F-450’s front suspension with the segment’s best turning radius. The heavier-duty front suspension also has larger axles that give the truck more payload and towing capability.

The new Super Duty also is available with a new Rearview Camera System with a unique rear-view-mirror-mounted display, allowing customers to clearly view objects behind the vehicle in their natural sightlines while reversing. The camera is mounted in the tailgate handle bezel and is activated when the vehicle is shifted into reverse.

The easy-to-view video image displays green lines that mark the width of the vehicle so drivers can back up with confidence. The lines turn red when the system detects the truck is getting too close to an object. As an added benefit, the rearview camera system is designed so the truck’s tailgate can be removed without needing to unhook or unplug the camera.

Redefining heavy-duty pickups
The F-Series Super Duty pickup builds on Ford’s full-size truck capability leadership by offering best-in-class payload, gross vehicle weight ratings (GVWR) and trailer tow ratings. Super Duty is offered in three cab styles - Regular Cab, SuperCab and Crew Cab - and two bed lengths - 6 ¾ and 8 feet. Super Duty features a bold look inside and out, an all-new, more powerful, state-of-the-art Power Stroke® V-8 Turbo Diesel and a host of innovative features not found on any other truck.

Ford’s Super Duty set the standard in the over 8,500-pound truck segment when it was launched in 1998 as a 1999 model. Unlike competitors who simply modify their existing light-duty trucks, Super Duty features a unique architecture, designed and developed to meet the needs and demands of the over 8,500-pound truck customer.

All-new F-450 pickup adds capability for customers who demand the most

Today’s Super Duty customers are consistently searching for more capability. Ford research shows that more than 90 percent of Super Duty owners tow and that their towing needs are growing. To meet the need, Ford introduced the new F-450 pickup model. It combines the right axle, powertrain and suspension to pull a heavier trailer while maintaining a refined, comfortable ride.

The F-450 pickup rides on a unique chassis. It incorporates a new rear leaf-spring suspension while using the radius arm front suspension from the F-450 chassis cab. This set-up provides for the tightest turning radius in its class, greatly improving maneuverability when towing. Select F-350 DRW models also can be outfitted with the F-450’s front suspension, offering the same tight turning radius.

The F-450 pickup further widens the capability gap, offering a maximum payload of more than 6,000 pounds and towing capacity of more than 24,000 pounds - a 5,000-pound increase over the class-leading F-350.

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. The 6.4-liter Power Stroke® Diesel delivers 350 horsepower at 3,000 rpm and 650 lb.-ft. of torque (on F-250 & F-350) starting at 2,000 rpm. It leverages Ford Clean Diesel Technology, a series of special components that deliver clean, quiet, performance. These include:

* High-tech, series dual-sequential turbochargers that provide improved response and better low-end performance.
* A high-pressure, common rail fuel system, Piezo-electric fuel injectors and an advanced diesel particulate filter system that deliver strong performance while reducing particulate output by more than 90 percent and posting emissions numbers on par with gasoline engines.

Available in both two- and four-wheel-drive models on Super Duty, the powertrains use a new mounting system that better isolates the powertrain and reduces vibration. Transmission choices including a 6-speed manual with overdrive or a TorqShiftâ„¢ 5-speed automatic.

Exterior design maintains bold, American look, improves capability
Super Duty is synonymous with capability - and so is the design of the new heavy duty truck.

* The grille sits on a horizontal cut line that defines the top of the bumper and also serves as a base for the stacked headlamps, delivering a clean, more refined look.
* The step pad on the front bumper is specifically textured and designed for the customers who use the bumper while servicing the truck.
* Air vents, mounted on the fender just behind the crisply defined wheel arch, dissipate engine compartment heat and designate the type of powertrain beneath the hood - red for diesel, black for gasoline.
* The distinctive dropped beltline, a Ford truck design cue, improves visibility.
* The revised tailgate, with a standard Lift-Assist System, is flanked by redesigned taillamps.
* Five all-new wheel designs including standard 18-inch premium chromed steel wheels on Lariat and 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels join a list of 10 wheel options across the lineup.

The interior of the Lariat model.

Along with XLT, Lariat and high-line King Ranch models, the 2008 Super Duty now offers an FX4 model available on 4×4 SuperCab and Crew Cab. The FX4 includes skid plates, Rancho-branded dampers, a special body-color billet-style grille and other features. The FX4 is available in five colors.

Customers also may choose from several appearance packages, including the King Ranch with Chrome Package, an option available late in the model year.

The King Ranch Chrome Package adds an even richer appearance to the top-of-the-line truck, with chrome touches throughout the exterior on the exhaust tip, tow hooks, mirror caps, pickup bed tie downs and 5-inch tubular step bars.

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, boosting refinement and quietness to unprecedented levels in the segment.

Super Duty’s interior was designed to be functional and capable while still delivering quality and craftsmanship with a luxurious look. For instance:

* The modern design features all-new materials and includes luxury touches like contrast stitching on the seats and rich, Chaparral leather on the King Ranch.
* The prominent center stack houses most of the vehicle’s switches, integrating all functions into one easy-to-reach central area.
* Rings surrounding the gauges and air vents are notched, more angular and defined. Gauges also are better organized and easier to read.
* A large center console is designed to hold file folders and keep laptop computers out of sight.

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

A redesigned climate control system provides more balanced airflow and quieter operation that improves cabin comfort. The system uses a more reliable, durable, higher-capacity compressor, one of the components that helps improve the A/C system performance. 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.

All audio systems are now MP3 capable and feature a standard auxiliary audio input. Super Duty customers also can now opt for a premium Audiophile system, featuring eight speakers with subwoofer and six-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 8-inch video screen, two wireless headphones and remote control.

Innovative ideas: industry-unique Tailgate Step and stowable bed extender

The Super Duty’s new TailGate step.
Ford’s unique relationship with the Super Duty customer has fostered the kind of innovation that creates products like the Tailgate Step and stowable bed extender.

The Tailgate Step is fully integrated into the tailgate and virtually invisible when not in use. The 16.7-inch by 4.5-inch flip-down step is housed in the tailgate. To use the step, simply drop the tailgate into the down position, grab the bottom step, pull it straight out and drop it down into the step position - all in one easy motion.

A unique grab handle folds up and out of the tailgate to provide extra support when using the Tailgate Step, supporting up to 350 pounds. When not in use, the grab handle fits snuggly into a channel molded into the tailgate inner liner. The tailgate liner has an added coating creating a non-slip walking surface.

The Stowable Bed Extender works like others, extending storage space to the end of the bed, or it can sit inside the tailgate leaving a small, enclosed section that keeps cargo from sliding forward near the cab. But the similarities end there. Ford’s extender separates into two pieces that fold and snap securely to the sides of the bed, allowing full space and functionality of the bed when the extender is not needed.