Keeping it cool increases power and durability
The Super Duty cooling system has been designed to handle extremes. Engineers based the system tests on the F-550 chassis cab's pulling gate of 33,000-pounds, combined weight. Super Duty's radiator has grown by 33 percent and a larger water pump nearly doubles the coolant flow rate from 75 to 140 gallons per minute.
"We have designed the industry's most robust cooling system to provide maximum power and torque under extreme operating conditions," said Renwick.
An all-new engine from an all-new development process
The 6.4-liter diesel is more than just a clean-sheet-of-paper engine. It benefits from a new development process optimizing durability, performance, fuel economy and emissions.
The engineering team began by collecting real-world data from working Super Duty commercial customers, tracking their daily duty cycles to ensure the development process more accurately reflected real-world use.
The data was used to develop durability tests that were more representative of these real-world duty cycles. For example, this engine program marked the first time that dynamometer tests were run with the transmission bolted to the engine during the durability run, allowing engineers to see how the up-shifts and downshifts affected the powertrain during the duty cycle.
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, further assuring durability.
"When we launched the new truck earlier this year, the engine had already seen more than 10 million equivalent miles of testing both on the dynamometer and on the road," said Renwick.
The extended testing hours allowed the team to scrutinize every component and system under theses customer-driven conditions. As a result, more than 500 design improvements were made to the diesel powertrain to improve performance and durability.
Powertrain options include the segment's most powerful gasoline engine
The all-new 6.4-liter diesel joins a proven gasoline powertrain lineup that includes the 6.8-liter, three-valve TritonTM V-10 that makes 362 horsepower and 457 pound-feet of torque - both class-leading figures.
Customers also can choose Ford's modular 5.4-liter, three-valve Triton V-8 that delivers 300 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. More than 80 percent of peak torque - nearly 300 pound-feet - is available starting as low as 1,000 rpm.
Both engines benefit from electronic throttle control, which provides economy and performance benefits. For commercial users who need elevated engine speed to run aftermarket power takeoff (PTO) systems, the "stationary elevated idle control" feature is available on all models.
The gasoline engines feature all-new exhaust systems and newly designed air boxes that mount solidly to the new modular front structure. Transmission choices include a 6-speed manual with overdrive or a TorqShiftTM 5-speed automatic. The transmissions utilize a new, unique mounting system that better isolates the powertrain and reduces vibration.
Transmissions feature all-new gear sets and a three-plate, two-stage torque converter to reduce turbine noise when the converter is locked. The F-450 uses upgraded synchronizers to enable electronic shift on the fly.
Source: Ford Motor Company