Ford releases new 2023 Super Duty truck, highlighting technology
Advanced capabilities and driver connectivity are the main focus of the newest F-Series Super Duty truck model revealed by Ford Motor Co. executives during a special presentation at Churchill Downs Tuesday.
The new model, the first new entry in the Super Duty series since 2017, is expected to go on sale in early 2023.
The unveiling ceremony kicked off with a Ford derby, where employees drove their personal trucks around the track, showcasing Ford trucks through the ages.
Tuesday's unveiling followed an announcement earlier in the day by Ford executives and Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear that 500 new jobs will be coming to the Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville, funded through a $700 million investment by the company.
"The investment goes into updating or adding new equipment throughout the facility to make sure we're ready for the content of the new truck," John Savona, vice president of Americas Manufacturing & Labor Affairs for Ford Blue, said during the Tuesday morning news conference.
Mike Levine, a Ford North America product communications director, said Ford was able to decide what new Super Duty truck features needed to be created after spending time living with customers in the Canadian oil fields and miners in the western United States.
"We understand truck customers better than anyone else," Levine said. "These are the industries, and these are the customers that we have that depend on our trucks to do their jobs."
Levine said by spending time watching customers use the truck it helped the company make new updates to the 2023 Super Duty that "makes their lives easier and a little bit more productive."
Ford is currently one of the largest employers in the city with nearly 9,000 total employees. The company is also one of the largest employers in the state, directly employing more than 12,000 workers and supporting 120,000 jobs across the commonwealth.
Ford investment:Ford announces 500 new jobs, $700 million investment into Louisville manufacturing plant
The company announced it would contribute $5.8 billion and another 5,000 jobs to a battery park project based in Hardin County in 2021.
Here are five key features of the new model.
1. Standard 6.8-liter V8 gas engine
An increased engine will give the new model more horsepower for towing, payload and torque. Ford is also introducing a new high-output 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 engine and 7.3-liter V8 engine.
The goal of the standard engine is to target low-end torque which will allow for drivers to start on inclined surfaces and merge on to highways easier. The new engines will also get better gas horsepower and be able to go longer periods of time between oil changes due in part to improved air intake. New grilles will also maximize engine cooling while the truck is under heavy loads.
2. Embedded 5G capability
The 2023 Super Duty will become the first U.S. pickup truck with 5G wireless capability, powered by AT&T, embedded in the vehicle. The feature will allow drivers to have Wi-Fi, access to Ford Power-Up software updates while driving and faster and smarter mapping capabilities. The Super Duty will also be able to provide a hotspot for up to 10 additional devices.
The Trailer Navigation feature will use smart technology to identify the best routes based on a trailer's size and weight and provide early warnings for low bridges and tight turns. This feature also allows the owner to create different trailer profiles for the various trailers they may pull making each drive customized to the specific trailer hitched.
3. Ford Pro Upfit Integration System
A new feature aimed at drivers who utilize upfits and other body equipment such as plows or utility cranes, the digital integration system will provide improved access to the Super Duty's electrical system, allowing for easier calibration.
4. Tremor Off-Road Package
A new package available for those who need extra assets for off-roading, Tremor package trucks comes with a suspension tuned specifically for off-road driving, a front axle with a limited-slip differential, 35-inch Goodyear tires, custom 18-inch wheels, Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist technology and new drive modes, including a rock-crawl mode.
5. Interior upgrades
On the interior, the model will provide an 8-12 inch display screen to allow drivers to see the outside of the vehicle from every angle and even offer an inside look into the trailers being hauled. This package also offers complete comfort by providing four USB charging ports, a wireless charging pad, reclining seats that go fully horizontal and an eight-speaker sound system.
Ford officials said that while the base model will be available early next year, the trim series will be available starting spring 2023. Here is a list of additional new features truck lovers can find in the new model:
- Pro Power Onboard which turns the truck into a mobile generator
- Power outlets inside the truck, through the cargo box or mounted on chassis cab
- 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission
- Power take off connection to run added equipment for the chassis cab models
- Standard four-wheel drive on all models XLT or above
- Onboard scales with smart hitch that estimate cargo weight
- 360-degree trailer camera system
- Blind spot information system for fifth wheel and gooseneck which can be attached to a trailer to add more visual aide for the driver
- Tailgate down camera and tailgate down reverse sensing system to alert drivers when the tailgate is down to make hooking up to a trailer easier
- Pro Trailer Hitch Assist which will automatically back the Super Duty up and align it with the trailer
- Adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go and lane centering technology
- Trailer theft alert will provide alerts to the FordPass app if a trailer is tampered with while the truck is locked
- Forward and reverse sensing system which will show drivers of objects immediately in front or behind the vehicle
- Front and rear brake assist which will allow drivers to prevent low-speed collisions
- Full-color head-up display which will encourage drivers to keep their eyes on the road by putting information in a drivers line of sight
- Customizable 12-inch digital instrument cluster
- Center console slot that can hold a tablet upright
Gloss