Ford F-450 Super Duty

Ford's hard-working Super Duty line of pickup trucks was redesigned and expanded for 2007 with the addition of the Ford F-450 Super Duty. It joins the Ford F-250 and the F-350 in the Super Duty lineup.

As its designation indicates, the F-450 is the most powerful of the bunch, with the highest towing capacity of any non-commercial vehicle in the U.S. It's capable of towing up to 24,500 pounds with a fifth-wheel hookup. That makes it the truck of choice for drivers who need to tow trailers, RVs, boats or other heavy loads.

The Super Duty series has been completely redesigned for 2008, the first revamp in a decade, and the F-450 is a beneficiary of that redesign, since it sports a bold new exterior design as well as all sorts of cutting-edge features.

Design-wise, the F-450 has a large, imposing grille stamped with the Super Duty name, stacked front headlights, sculpted fender flares, and embossed fender vents that release engine heat. Optional PowerScope mirrors adjust, telescope, or fold as needed.

Power is provided by a 6.4-liter, 350-horsepower Power Stroke V8 diesel engine with dual-stage turbochargers. The engine incorporates Clean Diesel Technology and is optimized to use the latest ultra-low sulfur fuel. It's linked to a six-speed manual TorqShift overdrive transmission with a selectable Tow/Haul mode.

Other features include a toughened suspension and the first-even factory-installed integrated Trailer Brake Controller that works with the anti-lock brakes to synchronize truck and trailer brakes for seamless braking when hauling loads.

The F-450 is available with a regular cab (the XL trim), a supercab (the XLT trim) or a crew cab (the Lariat trim). The XLT trim package includes a chrome grille with platinum insert, power side mirrors, power windows, and cruise control, while the Lariat trim adds leather-trimmed front seats, a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, woodgrain-style interior trim, fog lights, and polished aluminum wheels.

Other options include a Stowable Bed Extender, which splits, folds, and stows in the sides of the bed, and an integrated tailgate step.