Along with most of the automotive industry at large, we were pleasantly surprised when Ford announced the 2016 F-650 and F-750 medium-duty trucks. But what, exactly, is different about these new U.S.-built models compared to the outgoing units? We identify five of the most notable changes below.
Upgraded Engine Choices
Having announced the second-generation 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 turbo diesel for the 2015 F-Series Super Duty line, Ford is making the engine available in the F-650 and F-750. The Ford-built engine is paired with a commercial-grade six-speed 6R140 automatic transmission, with the gearbox introducing the power takeoff provision to run accessories in the field, a dump body, crane, and other vocational equipment.
As before, Ford continues to be the only automaker to offer a gasoline engine in the medium-duty truck segment. The 6.8-liter V10 is mated to the 6R140 six-speed automatic transmission. The ten-banger can be factory-prepped for compressed natural gas or liquid propane gas conversions for cost-effective alternatives to unleaded gasoline.
Built, Tested Ford Tough
The Blue Oval has put the 2016 F-650/F-750 through grueling testing to ensure that the trucks are up to the demands placed on them by customers throughout their lifetime.
Testing for the trucks included the industry’s first robotic test driving program, during which the trucks were repeatedly driven on torturous surfaces that can compress 10 years of daily driving abuse into courses just a few hundred yards long. These surfaces included broken concrete, cobblestones, metal grates, rough gravel, mud pits and oversized speed bumps.
Ready For Work
Not only are the trucks highly capable, but they also aim to make it easier than ever to get work done thanks to the repositioning of such auxiliary components as the diesel exhaust fluid tank and standard fuel tank from behind the frame to under the cab. This cleaner, cab-to-axle design satisfies more truck body applications, and makes customizing easier, heaping to reduce the customer’s final costs and time to delivery.
Great Value
Ford makes it a point to tell us that, by controlling every aspect of development in-house — from design to manufacturing to service — it is capable of offering F-650 and F-750 customers exceptional value, convenience and cost of ownership.
A network of over 3,000 Ford commercial truck and retail service dealers is prepared to handle any service need with minimized travel time and extended service hours, keeping work trucks on the road and in the field longer.
Just… Mean
If you haven’t already, just take a look at them. No matter how you slice it, the freshened appearance of the 2016 F-650 and F-750 is just mean. And it never hurts to have a capable truck that also looks the part. Especially when you’re dropping $55,000 or more on one.
What feature are you looking forward to the most in the revised F-650/F-750? Talk to us in the comments.
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