Photo: Ford
During the Detroit Auto Show in January, Alan Mulally hinted in a cryptic manner that the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup's part-aluminum construction will be adopted by upcoming mass-produced models bearing the Blue Oval logo. Specifically, Ford's CEO declared that the military-grade aluminum alloy will "proliferate across our lineup," and guess what - the next-generation Ford Super Duty might join the lightweight brigade as well.
A spy photographer from KGP Photogrpahy declared for Automotive News that he spotted a Ford F-350 Super Duty prototype last week. After getting close to the mule and tested it with a magnet, Brian Williams was surprised to find out that the magnet didn't stick to the truck, meaning that the prototype's bed is made out of a different material than your average pressed steel.
KGP owner Glenn Paulina said to the aforementioned publication that "If they're using aluminum here, in the key punishment-point of a heavy-duty work truck, it stands to reason that aluminum is being used throughout the rest of the Super Duty prototypes - just as they have on the 2015 Ford F-150." Although it would be nice to actually get a part-aluminum F-350 in the near future, we recommend to take this bit of info with a grain of salt.
Being a test mule, it's pretty possible that Ford was just evaluating how the switch from steel to aluminum affects fuel economy and towing capabilities of the future Super Duty lineup. There's also a possibility that the change will indeed improve fuel economy and hauling credentials, but at a too great cost considering how heavy the F-Series Super Duty is over the F-150. All in all, we shouldn't get too excited considering the automotive industry's growing interest in cost cutting everything imaginable.
In other news, the outgoing Ford F-350 is one helluva capable towing machine. Follow this link to find out why.
KGP owner Glenn Paulina said to the aforementioned publication that "If they're using aluminum here, in the key punishment-point of a heavy-duty work truck, it stands to reason that aluminum is being used throughout the rest of the Super Duty prototypes - just as they have on the 2015 Ford F-150." Although it would be nice to actually get a part-aluminum F-350 in the near future, we recommend to take this bit of info with a grain of salt.
Being a test mule, it's pretty possible that Ford was just evaluating how the switch from steel to aluminum affects fuel economy and towing capabilities of the future Super Duty lineup. There's also a possibility that the change will indeed improve fuel economy and hauling credentials, but at a too great cost considering how heavy the F-Series Super Duty is over the F-150. All in all, we shouldn't get too excited considering the automotive industry's growing interest in cost cutting everything imaginable.
In other news, the outgoing Ford F-350 is one helluva capable towing machine. Follow this link to find out why.
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