The second generation of Ford's 6.7 Power Stroke V8 will be the heart of the 2015 F-Series Super Duty trucks with 440 hp, 860 lb-ft of torque, and a 40,000 pound total weight rating in their biggest pickup. All of which surpass the capabilities of competitors.
The 6.6 Duramax diesel in GM's Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and GMC Sierra HD trucks is rated at 397 horsepower and 765 lb-ft of torque, with Ram's 6.7 Cummins coming in at 385 horsepower and 850 lb-ft of torque.
Ford cites a compacted graphite iron engine block with a "reverse flow layout" as key innovations in the new Power Stroke. That layout directs exhaust inside the "V" of the engine with the intake is outside. Apparently this makes for a shorter path between the exhaust and the turbocharger to spool it up more quickly. The turbo is positioned between the engine's cylinder banks, which Ford reckons will help "isolate the engine's hottest temperatures" while reducing noise and vibration.
They also slapped a bigger turbo on, and messed around with the fuel injectors bit in an effort to improve efficiency.
The diesel engine will be the same across all Super Duty F-250, F-350, and F-450 trucks.
Ford Power Stroke Technical Specialist David Ives said this was part of the plan all along. "The original 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8... [was] designed in a way that made it easier to add a larger turbocharger."
Ford's VP of Powertrain Engineering Robert Fascetti says "The improvements we've made essentially give Super Duty customers an engine designed for our larger F-650 and F-750 trucks."
Ford has yet to release a complete table covering 2015 F-250, F-350, and F-450's towing capabilities with a standard ball hitch, but the gooseneck and fifth-wheel trailer numbers are certainly impressive.
The new F-350 will be available with a "high-capacity towing package" featuring beefier front springs and a wide track axle, which brings the increasing the gross combined weight rating with the 6.7 Power Stroke from 31,900 pounds to 35,000 pounds.
The F-450 will have upgraded rear U-joints, stronger shocks and rear leaf springs, stabilizer bars all around, plus more robust steering gears and linkages than the outgoing model. Ford says they've "re-calibrated" the ABS for "enhanced braking performance," which sounds good I guess. All that brings gooseneck trailer capacity up to 31,200 pounds, fifth wheel towing capacity to 26,500 pounds, and gross combined weight rating to a 40,000 pounds.
The first 2015 Ford F-Series Super Duty trucks will be available Spring 2014 in fancy new colors like Bronze Fire, Magnetic, and Caribou.
