After months of tracking down various prototypes across the country, we finally managed to snag some spy video of the 2008 Ford Super Duty. Our spy shooters not only caught these prototypes on camera, they got up close and personal with an engineer hell-bent on keeping the footage from hitting the Net.
No big deal, though. We've seen this kind of behavior before and it rarely results in anything more than a sideshow to the vehicles in question. In this case, Ford's next-generation heavy-duty trucks look as though they'll share many of the styling cues first shown on the Super Chief concept.
Compared to the current model, the next-generation 2008 Ford Super Duty gets taller, more rectangular headlights. They extend down to the one-piece chrome bumper and place the turn signals in the middle of the headlights instead of below them. The grille is more squared-off, too, with bigger vents on each side and an even larger Ford logo. The tailgate logo is bigger, too, and has been moved to the center. The reverse lights have been moved higher and the words "Super Duty" are pressed into the bottom of the tailgate.
Although the gasoline-engine options aren't expected to change much, diesel fans will be glad to know there's an all-new PowerStroke in the works. Built by International, the new diesel V8 will displace 6.4 liters, feature a pair of sequential turbos, and generate 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Ford's current PowerStroke has been plagued with problems, so the arrival of the new 6.4 can't come soon enough.
Although we didn't dare get close enough to shoot the interior of these prototypes, earlier spy photos of the cabin show an interior similar to the F-150 with a cleanly laid out center stack and circular vents on each side. There's yet another "Super Duty" stamp just above the glovebox, so Ford is obviously trying to push the Super Duty brand a little harder this time around. Since these trucks tend to be work trucks more often than not, the designers made sure to include plenty of practical features like power outlets and easily accessible storage space.
Sales of the new Super Duty were expected to begin before the end of the year, but Ford delayed the program by a few months to assure a smooth launch. Look for a possible debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November with sales starting early next year.
No big deal, though. We've seen this kind of behavior before and it rarely results in anything more than a sideshow to the vehicles in question. In this case, Ford's next-generation heavy-duty trucks look as though they'll share many of the styling cues first shown on the Super Chief concept.
Compared to the current model, the next-generation 2008 Ford Super Duty gets taller, more rectangular headlights. They extend down to the one-piece chrome bumper and place the turn signals in the middle of the headlights instead of below them. The grille is more squared-off, too, with bigger vents on each side and an even larger Ford logo. The tailgate logo is bigger, too, and has been moved to the center. The reverse lights have been moved higher and the words "Super Duty" are pressed into the bottom of the tailgate.
Although the gasoline-engine options aren't expected to change much, diesel fans will be glad to know there's an all-new PowerStroke in the works. Built by International, the new diesel V8 will displace 6.4 liters, feature a pair of sequential turbos, and generate 350 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. Ford's current PowerStroke has been plagued with problems, so the arrival of the new 6.4 can't come soon enough.
Although we didn't dare get close enough to shoot the interior of these prototypes, earlier spy photos of the cabin show an interior similar to the F-150 with a cleanly laid out center stack and circular vents on each side. There's yet another "Super Duty" stamp just above the glovebox, so Ford is obviously trying to push the Super Duty brand a little harder this time around. Since these trucks tend to be work trucks more often than not, the designers made sure to include plenty of practical features like power outlets and easily accessible storage space.
Sales of the new Super Duty were expected to begin before the end of the year, but Ford delayed the program by a few months to assure a smooth launch. Look for a possible debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November with sales starting early next year.
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