2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty First Drive

Right off the bat, the Super Duty’s drivetrain made a big impression. “Keep it in 4 High and drive up the hill,” Ford’s off-road driving expert instructed. I was impressed with the 2017 F-250 Super Duty diesel’s ability to get traction to the ground on the steep ascent—with nary a hint of slip and without low-range gears. Our ride was Ford’s new Super Duty King Ranch Crew Cab 4×4 that sits on a wheelbase of 159.8 inches and tips the scales at over 3 tons.

“Now, when you can’t see forward on your own anymore, we’ll turn on the 180-degree front camera so you can continue with a clear view. Then stop, engage 4 Low and the e-locker, and you can drive to the crest of the next slope, where we’ll actuate the hill-descent control. Make sure you look at the graphics on the off-road screen to see the truck’s steering angle, wheel placement, and the degrees of slant on the inclinometer. Following that, you can drive as fast as you’d like around the upcoming winding track and through the large mud hole.”

Yee-haw! Fun? Indeed. Frivolity? To the contrary. This was only one exercise of many that included towing evaluations, maneuverability comparisons while hauling a weighty payload, plus acceleration and braking assessments against competitors. It was part of a two-day deep dive into Big Truck waters that have been stirred and shaken by Ford’s all-new-from-the-ground-up 2017 Super Duty. The magic in the miracle of our slo-mo crawl and high-speed prowess? A massive 925 lb-ft of torque under our belly—the segment’s best. Then again, the pickup’s updated gasoline engine and its best-in-class 430 lb-ft completed the course with ease as well.

 

 

Ford set up a base camp at Denver’s Mile High Stadium with drive routes into the foothills of the Colorado Rockies to campaign the highlights of its new Super Duty. It will hit this road this fall as the “toughest, smartest, and most capable” with more than 8,500 pounds gross vehicle weight rating, says Ford. What does that mean for you? It’s safer, more competent, comfortable, and user-friendly on the road and off the pavement. You can haul your race cars with greater ease and less fatigue, and, if you have a fleet of collectibles to ferry to Pebble Beach or Amelia Island, you’ll have a bank of information at your fingertips with data on your truck’s performance, as well as individualized stats on up to 10 different trailers from an IP productivity screen. Think of it like this: Some of the world’s most intelligent driving assistance technologies onboard today’s cars have been injected into Ford’s beefy work trucks. Add to that bigger cabins and beds, features that provide a higher level of creature comfort, and creatively crafted stowage to convert your truck into a rolling office to carry and power your laptops, goods, and gear; plus, there are hidden and lockable bins to stash your valuables.

 

Pickups are big business and the largest of the land. Ford’s Super Duty, GM’s Silverado/Sierra HDs, and Ram’s HDs are in a perennial war of numbers that rivals the battle to become the U.S. president. This fight is purely political for some buyers with party or brand loyalty, but for the truck purveyors, bragging rights and ways to win votes are centered on supremacy of sales, peak payload, and top-most towing.

Ford rules when it comes to numbers: Since 1998, when the Blue Oval launched this line of heavy dutys for the ’99 model year, Ford has sold more than 12.5 million F-Series pickups (including the smaller F-150) and moved more than 460,000 in the first half of 2016. These sales numbers have given Ford bragging rights for 39 years. As for the Super Duty, it claims more than 40 percent of country’s heavy-duty market share, according to Doug Scott, Ford’s Truck Group marketing manager.

 

The revamped pickup is built with high-strength, military-grade aluminum alloy topside and high-strength steel underneath, netting a weight savings of up to 350 pounds. Engineers reinvested the weight, adding more robust components that have paid the dividend of increased towing and hauling ability, and boosted horsepower and torque by augmenting the gnarly bits, including the driveline, chassis, and suspension, to support the increases. The pickup now beats the competition with a collection of best-in-class numbers and technologies. Other significant upgrades are a new transfer case, larger DEF tank capacity (7.5 gallons), plus bigger axles and brakes and larger fuel tanks on the heftiest models.

The all-new, fully boxed frame is more than 95 percent high-strength steel and up to 24 times stiffer than the previous version, while the aluminum-alloy body shared with the all-new 2016 F-150 has proven to be more dent and ding resistant than the steel body it replaces. In a move of efficiencies, Super Duty shares the half-ton’s cab from the A-pillar rearward and wears a familiar family face up front.

We drove a variety of the trucks and found the 6.2-liter V-8 gasoline (it’s E85 Flex Fuel capable with CNG/propane prep) as likeable when towing a 10,000-pound trailer as the surprisingly quiet, second-gen 6.7-liter Power Stroke Turbo Diesel V-8 (B20 biodiesel capable). Both are mated to a Torq Shift six-speed auto transmission, which is a new version on F-250 models and carryover on others.

 

Three new driver assistance features added a wow factor while making the truck feel safer and lighter on its feet: adaptive cruise, which controls acceleration and slows to keep pace with traffic using preset distances and adding brake support, even when tugging a trailer weighing more than 32,500 pounds; adaptive steering, which reduces steering input needed for slow speed, smooths steering at higher speeds, and is especially helpful for towing stability arching the truck and trailer on a straighter cornering line; and the Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage, which uses sensors in the outside mirrors to provide cross-traffic alerts and detect objects behind your truck and trailer.

Among the positive takeaways from our drive were the ease of access to get in and out of the truck with deployable running boards, the ergonomics of reaching pedals (adjustable pedals are available but not needed, even for our 5-foot-2-inch driver) as well as controls and knobs (they’ve been designed for use with gloved hands), and the comfort of the upgraded interior with multi-contoured seats that kept us snug through all our evaluations—unlike some of the competitors’ seats.

 

Our top surprise and delight features are a collection of new technologies for those who tow. There are seven cameras available for driving guidance, including a 360-degree view; some will direct you to a perfect hook up of your gooseneck or fifth-wheel trailer. Side-view mirror cameras and rear cameras work in tandem to project images on your interior monitor or provide information from the “smart towing assistance technologies,” Jackknife Warning, and Straight Line Backup Guidance, which has a dynamic steering wheel icon with arrows to indicate the direction of turn. You too can be an expert at the boat ramp, horse show, or RV campground.

Another feature of note: The truck’s trailering platform extends under the frame of the truck, eliminating the need for a weight-distributing hitch; it will now accommodate large boat trailers and pintle hitches, with the added bonus of new 2- and 2.5-inch receiver inserts included and nestled into the 3-inch receiver.

The new Super Duty comes with three cab choices, five trims, and several frames, engines, and drivelines. “There are up to one billion configurations,” said Scott. “More buyers choose 4WD and diesel powerplants, and the trend today is toward more upscale trims, as our buyers use their trucks for work but are seeking comfort and luxury, so we have tried to accommodate their needs. We even have buyers that still want a manual transfer-case shifter and manual locking hubs and, although that’s a small percentage, we have made a model available for them. But, the number one purchase decision for our buyers is towing. Nine of 10 buyers use their truck to tow.”

 

While the F-Series truck dates to 1948, as a stand-alone model line, the 2017 Ford Super Duty is the fourth-generation Super Duty to join the F-150 lineup in 1998. It was engineered with different mechanics and designed with unique cosmetics, whereas today’s new truck borrows the cab and many of the winning technologies and features from the smaller pickup. It will be built at Ford’s Kentucky Truck Plant. The gauntlet has been thrown.

17 for ’17: New class-exclusive features

1.  Adaptive cruise control and collision warning with brake support
2. Adaptive steering
3. Blind Spot Information System with trailer coverage
4. BoxLink with premium locking cleats
5. Factory-installed customer-placed trailer camera
6. Inflatable rear outboard safety belts
7. Multi-contour front seats with Active Motion^®8. Power-deployable running boards
9. PowerScope power-telescoping and power-folding trailer tow mirrors
10. Remote tailgate release with power lock
11. Standard flat load floor on SuperCab and Crew Cab
12. Stowable loading ramps
13. SYNC 3
14. Tailgate step
15. Trailer Reverse Guidance16. Trailer tire pressure monitoring system
17. Utility lighting system (LED side-mirror spotlights)

 

2017 Ford F-Series Super Duty Specifications

On Sale:	Now
Price:	$32,535/$77,125 (F-250 XL /F-450 Platinum) (base)
Engine:	6.2-liter V-8/385 hp @ 5,750 rpm, 430 lb-ft @ 3,800 rpm; 6.7-liter diesel V-8/440 hp @ 2,800 rpm, 925 lb-ft @ 1,800 rpm; 6.8-liter V-10 424 hp, 288 lb-ft
Transmission:	6-speed automatic
Layout:	2-4-door, 3-6-passenger, front-engine RWD/4WD truck
EPA Mileage:	N/A
L x W x H:	N/A
Wheelbase:	N/A
Weight:	5,683-8,590 lb
0-60 MPH:	N/A
Top Speed:	N/A

2017 Ford Fusion

The Ford Fusion sedan has been around a few years now and it has been an instant hit.  The thing that continues to impress me about Ford is they don’t rest when a vehicle is popular, they continue make it better.

Semi-autonomous features, which can take over for a driver in more limited ways and have been available for years in some luxury cars, are making their way into mainstream vehicles. Some midrange cars will automatically brake if they sense an imminent collision, steer back into a freeway lane if the driver allows them to drift, and guide themselves into tight parking spaces.

"We're definitely in a state right now where we're starting to see these features become more common in mainstream cars," said Ed Kim, who keeps tabs on automotive trends as an analyst for Auto Pacific, an automotive research and consulting firm.  All of the self-driving technologies that Ford makes available on its Ford or Lincoln models -- which include automatic braking, advanced adaptive cruise control, assisted parking and automated lane keeping -- are available as options on the Fusion Energi and come standard on the top-of-the-line model.

In testing the various semi-autonomous features on the Fusion, I was struck by how much they varied in terms of usability, polish and reliability.The most impressive function by far was its advanced adaptive cruise control, a new feature with this year's model. Adaptive cruise control will try to maintain a set speed, but will automatically slow down if the cars in front of you decelerate and will accelerate back when they speed up.

The Fusion's system takes this technology a step further, because unlike those on other cars, it will continue to work in stop-and-go traffic. Using radar and a camera system placed behind the rearview mirror to detect vehicles in front of it, it will bring you to a complete stop in a traffic jam and then re-accelerate as traffic resumes.

Come see what makes the Fusion special at Waxahachie Ford 2401 N. Interstate 35-E Waxahachie, TX or give us a call at 972-825-4500 today!

2011 Ford Edge SEL SUV V-6 cyl

Despite its name, the Ford Edge hasn't exactly been living an energized life recently. Compared to many of Ford's impressively updated or redesigned vehicles in the last two years, the Edge can come off as being, well, a bit dull. Thankfully, the sharpening stone has been brought for the 2011 Ford Edge, and we think this midsize crossover SUV is much better for it.
On the outside, this year's Edge maintains its generally athletic look, with a more prominent chrome grille bracketed by trendy LED running lights. The Edge Sport model drops the chrome in favor of blackout trim and now gets 22-inch wheels as standard equipment. The grille might be a bit much, yet this is one of the most handsome crossovers out there.
The Edge's familiar 3.5-liter V6 has been upgraded for 2011 to deliver 285 horsepower, a 20-hp gain. Fuel economy has gone up slightly, too. Meanwhile, the Edge Sport receives an exclusive 3.7-liter engine that kicks out 305 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. All Edge models also receive new braking hardware, which has improved brake feel and shortened its stopping distance by 20 percent.
Both the look and the feel of the 2011 Edge's interior are more premium thanks to better materials and a high-tech electronics interface dubbed Ford's MyTouch. Complementing the existing Sync system, MyTouch features a new touchscreen display (it operates much like the screen of a smartphone) along with additional voice commands, and operates the Edge's array of tech features.
The 2011 Ford Edge is now a solid pick for a midsize five-passenger crossover, especially if you're fond of its styling and technological features. That said, we'd still recommend taking a look at the sharper-driving 2011 Nissan Murano or the family-friendly 2011 Toyota Venza. And if you need a third row of seats, there are other crossovers to check out. But now that it is both innovative and rewarding to drive, the latest Edge finally lives up to its name.

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Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options

The 2011 Ford Edge crossover is available in SE, SEL, Limited and Sport trim levels.
The SE comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels, full power accessories, air-conditioning, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel and a six-speaker CD player with an auxiliary audio jack. The SEL gains 18-inch wheels, automatic headlights, rear parking sensors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, a six-way power driver seat, satellite radio and a trunk-mounted second-row folding seat release.
The top-shelf Limited adds ambient lighting, leather seating, a 10-way power driver seat with memory settings, a power front passenger seat, heated front seats, the MyFord Touch interface, Ford Sync, two USB inputs, a rearview camera and a premium 12-speaker Sony audio system with HD radio. The Edge Sport is equipped in a fashion similar to the Limited, though it comes with 22-inch wheels, a sport-tuned suspension and transmission paddle shifters.
Many of the additional features can be added to the lower trim levels via optional packages. Other available options include (depending on trim level) 20-inch wheels, a panoramic sunroof, a power liftgate, xenon headlights, adaptive cruise control, keyless ignition/entry, a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and an SD-card-based navigation system with real-time traffic and Sirius travel link.

Powertrains and Performance

The Ford Edge SE, SEL and Limited come with a 3.5-liter V6 that generates 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque. It's connected to a six-speed automatic transmission. The Edge Sport has a 3.7-liter V6 that spins out 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed auto is again standard for the Sport, but it also includes manual shift control. All trim levels come standard with front-wheel drive, and all but the SE can be equipped with all-wheel drive.
EPA fuel economy estimates stand at 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined for a front-drive 3.5-liter model. Going with AWD drops the estimate slightly to 19/26/21 mpg. The Edge Sport has an 18/25/20 mpg rating with front-drive and 17/23/19 mpg with AWD.

Safety

Antilock disc brakes, stability control (with rollover avoidance logic), front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and blind-spot mirrors are all standard. The programmable Ford MyKey system, which can help make the Edge safer for teen drivers, also comes standard. Optional on all trims except the SE is a Vision package that includes blind-spot and cross-traffic monitoring systems.
In 2010 government crash tests, last year's Ford Edge scored five stars (out of five) for the driver and four stars for the passenger in frontal-impact tests, while it earned five stars in side-impact testing for both front and rear passengers. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash tests, the Edge scored the highest possible rating of "Good" in both frontal-offset and side-impact testing. In Edmunds brake testing, an all-wheel-drive Ford Edge Sport stopped from 60 mph in a respectable 121 feet.

Interior Design and Special Features

The 2011 Ford Edge has a revamped interior with a more modern design and higher-quality materials, something especially noticeable on models equipped with MyFord Touch. This new interface consists of three new display screens and the ability to input commands for various audio, phone and navigation functions via voice or touch controls. In operation, we've found it to be a pretty good interface and an interesting rival to BMW's iDrive or Audi's MMI. But there is a steep learning curve involved; less tech-savvy drivers will need time to adjust.
The Edge's front seats provide excellent support on longer trips, though some drivers will find the head restraints to be uncomfortably canted forward. In back, the reclining outboard seats are nicely shaped and offer satisfactory legroom, but headroom can be tight if you order the dual-pane "Vista Roof" option. Furthermore, the middle seat is for short trips only due to its slablike seatback.
Without the power liftgate, the Edge's rear hatch can be hard for shorter drivers to close, but cargo capacity is a respectable 32 cubic feet with the backseat in use. Folding down the second row opens up a not-so-flat cargo floor and a max capacity of 69 cubes. That's more than a Nissan Murano can manage, but less than the Toyota RAV4 or larger crossovers like the Chevy Traverse or Ford Flex.

Driving Impressions

The 2011 Ford Edge is most notable for its comfortable ride, which soaks up road irregularities well without feeling floaty in the process. Though its steering doesn't provide much road feel, the Edge nevertheless feels solid and secure. Sport models feel slightly sharper and more agile, though their larger wheels degrade the ride quality a bit. Every 2011 Edge has additional acoustic insulation and the result is an impressively quiet highway ride.
Acceleration from the standard V6 is strong, but the six-speed automatic transmission can be slow to downshift because it's been optimized for fuel-efficient driving. The Edge Sport has more power as well as a manual shift mode for the transmission, but its power advantage is largely negated by a heavier curb weight.

Waxahachie Ford Grand Opening!

2017 Ford Shelby GT350 Base Coupe V-8 cyl

The 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 is a high-performance version of the Mustang coupe. Standard equipment includes 19-inch wheels, Brembo brakes, a Torsen rear differential (with 3.73 gearing), xenon headlights, a rear spoiler, keyless ignition and entry, manual Recaro front seats with simulated suede inserts, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, Bluetooth phone and audio connectivity, a 4.2-inch center display, a rearview camera, phone and audio voice commands (Sync), smartphone app integration and a six-speaker sound system with a USB port.
Opting for the Technology package further equips the GT350 with adaptive suspension dampers, heavy-duty front springs, adjustable drive settings, leather upholstery, six-way power sport front seats (with driver power lumbar; these seats replace the standard Recaros), heating and ventilation for the front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, an 8-inch touchscreen with the new Sync 3 interface, Siri Eyes Free, a navigation system and a seven-speaker sound system with satellite radio and two USB ports.
Also optional (but not in conjunction with the Technology package) is the Track package, which adds the adaptive suspension dampers and heavy-duty springs, the adjustable drive settings, a larger rear spoiler, a front suspension tower brace and additional powertrain coolers (oil, differential and transmission).
The GT350R is considered a package. Going "R" gets you the contents of the Track package plus 19-inch carbon-fiber wheels (with special Michelin tires), revised suspension tuning and aerodynamic body enhancements (front chin splitter and rear wing, most notably). The air-conditioning, sound system, rear seat, rearview camera, Sync system and tire inflation kit are deleted. However, if you can't live without these items, Ford offers the Electronics package, which puts almost all of it back in the car along with the dual-zone climate control, seven-speaker sound system, touchscreen and Sync 3 interface from the Technology package.

Summary Performance

Body Styles and Trims Powertrains and Performance Safety

Rumbling under the GT350's hood is a 5.2-liter V8 that produces 526 hp and 429 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual transmission driving the rear wheels is the only transmission offered. We've yet to fully test the GT350 but will update this section with acceleration numbers once we do. The EPA estimates the GT350 will achieve 16 mpg in combined driving (14 city/21 highway).

Body Styles and Trims Safety

Performance Safety Special Features

Standard safety equipment for the 2016 Ford Shelby GT350 includes traction and stability control, front-seat side airbags, front knee airbags and side curtain airbags. Also standard is emergency assistance, a post-crash alert system (SOS), a rearview camera and MyKey, which can set certain driving parameters for teen drivers. That's assuming you're letting your teen within 100 feet of your GT350 to begin with, of course.
While the Shelby GT350 has not been specifically crash tested, the government tested a regular Mustang coupe. It earned a five-star rating (out of a possible five) for overall crash protection, with five stars for total front-impact protection and five stars for total side-impact protection. The independent Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the Mustang coupe its top rating of "Good" in the moderate-overlap front-impact crash test.

Performance Special Features

Safety Interior Design and Special Features Driving Impressions

The 2016 Shelby GT350's interior is a lot like the regular Mustang's, which means respectable-quality materials and many of the latest conveniences. The Sync voice command system continues to hold appeal for its simple operation of audio and phone functions, but the notable addition for all 2016 Mustangs is the available Sync 3 touchscreen infotainment system. It shows promise relative to its controversial MyFord Touch predecessor, providing an easier-to-use icon and menu interface plus smartphone-style pinching and swiping gestures.
Standard for the GT350 are Recaro front seats. On the regular Mustang, we've found they provide excellent lateral support for aggressive driving, but lack comfort for everyday driving. On a GT350, we'll admit they make sense. But for somebody using his or her GT350 as a daily driver, the "upgrade" sport seats, with their power adjustments and heating/cooling, will likely be a better choice.
The Mustang's rear seat is cramped, though it's big enough to ferry small children around well enough. Alternately, just ditch it all together and go for the two-seat-only GT350R. The trunk provides 13.5 cubic feet of cargo space, which is fairly generous for a sport coupe, and the rear seats can be folded down.

Safety Driving Impressions

Special Features Driving Impressions

The 2016 Ford Shelby GT350's V8 makes power everywhere, but it's particularly energetic starting at 4,000 rpm and continuing well past 8,000 rpm. It also sounds like NASCAR-meets-F1 when you uncork that V8 and let it rev up to full song. On a racetrack, the GT350 -- particularly the R version -- is happily in its element. The steering is quick and responsive and the suspension keeps the car flat and composed. Braking is hugely confident as well. On the street, the GT350 is more livable than you might think considering how track-focused it is. The optional adaptive suspension dampers, which we recommend getting, do a great job of minimizing harsh impacts