Ford’s brilliant tech allows the 2017 Super Duty to tow 32,500 pounds

By Andrew Hard Published July 20, 2016

The Ford F-150 has always been a dependable work truck, but if you need to haul something truly massive, you’re better off with the Super Duty. As its name suggests, the Super Duty range is bigger, tougher, and more capable than the entry-level F-Series. In true American fashion, however, the roster has just gotten a whole lot … superer?

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Ford has officially revealed specs for the 2017 model year Super Duty, and the lineup’s towing and hauling capabilities have been significantly ramped up. For example, the F-450 now features a maximum gooseneck towing capacity of 32,500 pounds, and its fifth-wheel and conventional towing ratings have been boosted to 27,500 lbs. and 21,000 lbs. respectively. In addition, the truck boasts a maximum payload weight of 7,630 lbs., which makes the Super Duty the undisputed hauling king.

2017 Ford F-250 Lariat Crew Cab 4x4 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

Just how did Ford accomplish this? There are a variety of factors at play, but let’s start with the simple stuff — the body and frame. Just like the F-150, the Super Duty lineup wears a military-grade aluminum alloy body that cuts weight by up to 350 lbs. This allowed the brand to bolster the fully-boxed frame, which features 95 percent high-strength steel and is 24 times stiffer than its predecessor.

The engines have been significantly beefed up as well. The 6.7-liter V8 that comes standard on all Super Duty diesel trucks now makes 440 horsepower and an outstanding 925 pound-feet of torque, which may well be enough power to move a house. The 6.8-liter gasoline V8 also offers 385 hp and a best-in-class torque rating of 430 lb-ft.

2017 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum Crew Cab 4x4 — Image used with permission by copyright holder

It’s the Super Duty’s tech, however, that really brings it all together. The truck equips adaptive cruise control for effortless freeway towing, and its collision-warning system is optimized for big payloads with trailer-brake advisories. It also offers a variety of camera systems that provide views into the cargo box, behind the trailer, and all around the vehicle with 360-degree support.

Pricing info for the 2017 Super Duty range will be published near the truck’s on-sale date toward the end of the year.

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Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Buy Now, Upgrade Later: Slate’s $25K Truck Flips the Script on EVs

many hybrids rank as most reliable of all vehicles evs progress consumer reports cr tout cars 0224

A new electric vehicle startup—quietly backed by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos—is building something bold in Michigan. Not just a car, but a whole new idea of what an EV company can be. Slate Auto is a stealthy new automaker with one mission: ditch the luxury-first EV playbook and start from the affordable —which most drivers actually seek.
The start-up has been operating out of public sight since 2022, until TechCrunch found out about its existence. Of course, creating a little mystery about a potentially game-changing concept is a well-tested marketing approach.
But Slate truly seems to approach EVs in a very different way than most: It isn’t debuting with a six-figure spaceship-on-wheels. Instead, it's targeting the holy grail of EV dreams: a two-seat electric pickup truck for just $25,000. Yep, twenty-five grand. That’s less than a tricked-out golf cart in some neighborhoods. Slate is flipping the Tesla model on its head. Tesla, but also the likes of Lucid, BMW, and to a certain degree, Rivian, all started with high-end vehicles to build brand and bankroll future affordable car. But Slate wants to start with the people’s pickup—and letting it grow with you.
This isn’t just a cheap car. It’s a modular, upgradeable EV that’s meant to be personalized over time. Buy the basic model now, then add performance, tech, or lifestyle upgrades later—kind of like building your own dream ride one paycheck at a time. It’s a DIY car for a generation raised on customization and subscriptions. The company even trademarked the phrase: “We built it. You make it.”
Backing up this idea is an equally bold strategy: selling accessories, apparel, and utility add-ons à la Harley-Davidson and Jeep’s MoPar division. You’re not just buying a vehicle; you’re buying into a lifestyle. Think affordable EV meets open-source car culture.
Slate's approach isn't just novel—it's almost rebellious. At a time when other startups risk folding under the weight of their own lofty ambitions, Slate is keeping things lean, scalable, and customer focused. The company reportedly plans to source major components like battery packs and motors from outside suppliers, keeping manufacturing costs low while focusing energy on design, experience, and upgrade paths.
Sure, it’s all been kept under wraps—until now. With plans to begin production near Indianapolis by next year, the wraps are about to come off this EV underdog.
While, at least in spirit, the U.S. market has been dominated by high-end EVs, Slate’s “start small, scale with you” philosophy might be just the jolt the industry needs.

Cars

Kia EV9 and EV6 now fully qualify for the $7,500 tax credit – except for one trim

Kia EV 9

As Kia reported record first-quarter sales, Eric Watson, Kia America VP of sales, made a point of painting a rosy picture for the future: Now that the latest versions of its two best-selling electric vehicles, the EV9 and the EV6, are in full-scale production at Kia’s plant in Georgia, the road is paved for further sales growth.
After all, when Kia announced it was switching production of the EV9 to the U.S. from South Korea in 2023, it largely based its decision on its EVs being eligible for the $7,500 tax credit on new EV purchases offered under President Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
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As for the EV6, 2025 marks the first time its production takes place stateside, and most of its trims have also become eligible for the full tax credit.
However, there are notable exceptions: Both the EV6 and EV9 GT trims, which are known for providing more horsepower - ie, being faster – and offering a “more aggressive styling and accents”, won’t qualify at all for the tax credit: That’s because production for those vehicles remains based in South Korea, according to CarsDirect, which cited a Kia bulletin to its dealers.
The full credit should still be available for those who lease the vehicles, as leasing does not have the same sourcing requirements under the IRA.
Another big unknown for the GT trims is whether the U.S.’ 25% tariffs on all imported vehicles will again be applied. On Wednesday, President Donald Trump paused most tariffs announced in early April for 90 days.
While prices for the new EV6 and EV9 have yet to be revealed, the combination of the tariffs and the inegibility for the tax credit could seriously dent the appeal of the GT trims.

Android

AR driving at last – this Android Auto feature could mean navigation on smart glass

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A heads-up display while driving has always been the dream use of AR glasses and now it looks like that could soon become a reality.

Looking at a screen for navigation while driving is undoubtedly a hazard. So overlaying guidance on glasses, that let you keep focused on the road, makes a lot of sense.