Ford F-250/350 Super Duty
Our spies have caught the first covered and camouflaged test trucks of the Ford F-250 Super Duty, scheduled to arrive by 2011. The 2011 Super Duty is expected to receive a major styling refresh, probably as significant as it received as part of the 2008 model year update. The current blue oval Super Dutys took their exterior inspiration from the mighty Ford F-350 Tonka concept that made its debut at the 2002 Detroit auto show. For the new pickup, the inspiration appears to be the bold Ford F-250Super ChiefConcept first shown at the 2006 Detroit show. The photos show two massive chrome bars stretched across the grille with a prominent Ford oval badge resting between them. There's likely a third bar resting above the strong front bumper. The tester's grille bars have more space between them than the tight tolerances of those on the Super Chief, allowing for real-world cooling and airflow. The current Super Duty's hallmark side nostrils appear to have vanished, replaced by distinctive trim pieces on the sides of the grille that (at least for now) end abruptly at the top intake. You can also expect to see new taillights, which will probably be similar to those on the new 2009 Ford F-150.
Mechanically, we expect the 2011 Super Duty will carry over Ford's 6.7-liter Scorpion V-8 diesel that's expected to make its debut in the 2010 model year trucks. The gas engine will likely be the new 6.2-liter premium V-8, which should replace the current 6.8-liter V-10 next year. We also anticipate an end to the availability of manual tranjies, though the engineering mules in these pictures show Ford continuing its unique tradition of manual locking front hubs for four-wheel-drive Super Dutys.