First Look: 2023 Ford Super Duty Showcases New Tech & Specs

Ford has had the best selling truck in North America for nearly half a century, with sales that would dwarf the GDP of some small nations. It’s not a title they’d easily give up. There’s been the back-and-forth throwing down of the gauntlet with Ram and Silverado, a torque and towing oneupmanship that’s brought the physical capability of heavy duty trucks into big rig territory. 

Now Ford’s raised the ante with 5G cloud connectivity, tongue and payload scales, fleet management data monitoring, trailer theft notification; and a new navigation program that chooses the best trailering route by avoiding low bridges and other such obstacles.

More power, more choice

2023 Ford Super Duty F-250 XL STX Appearance Package | Photo: Ford 

In addition to its existing engines, the 7.3L gasoline V8 and 6.7L diesel V8, which have been recalibrated for better performance, the Super Duty adds two new choices: a new standard 6.8L V8 replacing the old 6.2L; and a high-output 6.7L power stroke diesel with upgraded exhaust manifolds and turbocharger, and unique tuning.

While Ford is not releasing any output numbers yet, they’re claiming the target was to improve low-end torque to five of the trucks’ best-in-class towing, payload, torque, and horsepower. 

Regardless of engine choice, they all come paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. We’ll let you know more when that information becomes available.

Super Duty interior & redesign: new looks, inside and out

2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Limited | Photo: Ford 

The truck’s new design isn’t a radical departure from the old. Notable features include a new grille that now encapsulates the signature “C-Clamp” headlights, for a wider front end look. Each trim level receives its own variation of the new grill and all can now be equipped with LED headlights. 

The tailgate mirrors the front look, with C-clamp taillights pushed out to the corners to give the impression of a wide, planted appearance. The side sheet metal has been manipulated and drawn in to appear as though the upper body now sits upon a platform; Ford truck design chief Ehab Kaoud says this is to give the impression of solidity. Tall functional side vents at the shoulders reduce under hood pressure and help cool the engine bay. 

2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Lariat | Photo: Ford 

There’s now an additional side step at the front of the box to aid in bed access. A new XL Off-Road package has been added and is available to all 4WD F-250 and F-350 trucks, and includes 33” all-terrain tires, electronic locking rear differential, and skid plates.

New inside: Flat folding seats, added usability, extended dash, more storage, and larger centre console

2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Lariat | Photo: Ford 

The interior has been updated to provide more comfort and usability. Mirroring the exterior design, the dash now extends the width of the truck and encapsulates instrument panels and c-shaped vents. 

While an 8.0 touchscreen is standard, upper trim levels are equipped with a 12.0” unit. Larger analog buttons sit below, for easy use with work gloves. There’s a larger centre console (with iPad charger), and more storage space beneath the armrests. 

2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Lariat | Photo: Ford 

The massaging seats can now recline flat, business class style, for replenishing naps during a long work day. New available features include an 18-speaker Bang & Olufsen sound system, wireless smartphone charging, and head up display.

5G Connectivity – a pickup truck first

Ford’s new 5G connectivity is a world first in the pickup truck market. The entire electronic architecture of the truck has been re-engineered to work with AT&T’s 5G network, allowing the truck to diagnose any potential issues and reduce repair downtime; let fleet operators monitor truck performance and activity; prevents trailer theft by monitoring the continuity of the connected 7-pin harness and sending out an alert of any disconnection; keeps map system up to date ensuring Trailer Navigation always has the latest routes to work with; and allows fleet managers and owners to receive over-the-air truck function and software updates immediately.

2023 Ford Super Duty F-250 XL STX Appearance Package | Photo: Ford 

Fleet managers can also monitor vehicle idle time, driver performance and suggest on-board driver coaching to learn more fuel efficient techniques.

Up to ten devices can connect to the wifi hotspot. There are some new driver-assist features too, including stop and go adaptive cruise control with lane centering assist, and front and rear emergency brake assist.

New Ford Super Duty towing capacity and payload: tech, and more tech

Any truck driver will tell you that one of the most important challenges of towing is ensuring that you’ve evenly distributed your load. The new Super Duty features some high tech assists that help make pulling massive loads easier, including new onboard scales to make sure you don’t exceed the truck’s payload and helps guide you when distributing your load to ensure the weight is placed evenly. This information is displayed with detail through the truck’s touchscreen, though the incremental weight addition is also reflected by the taillights.

2023 Ford Super Duty F-350 Lariat | Photo: Ford 

Dropping your tailgate unfortunately used to render your backup camera useless. But a new camera affixed to the top of the tailgate gives you a clear view to back up, even when the tailgate is down.

Ford’s Trailer Hitch Assist can automatically line up, and reverse the truck for you when hooking up a trailer.

Upfitters can now make use of a new “Pro Upfit Integration System” that grants them (controlled) access to the truck’s electrical functions, and use the infotainment screen to control such external add-ons as snowplows, tow-truck equipment, strobe lights, and can prevent the truck from shifting out of park when using equipment like cherry pickers. Commercial vehicles can now store some often-used functions in soft buttons.

Pro Trailer Hitch Assist | Photo: Ford

As debuted in the F-150, Super Duty trucks now come with a Pro Power Onboard system that provides 2 kW of auxiliary power – a boon for the job site, or act as an emergency generator should a storm take out your home’s power.

While heavy duty trucks are still the workhorses of the auto segment, the integration of new technology has elevated them to rolling office spaces as well. We look forward to seeing how this new Ford Super Duty drives.

2023 Ford Super Duty Key Specs

• Engines:
• 6.8L V8
• 7.3L V8
• 6.7L Power Stroke diesel V8
• High-output 6.7-litre Power Stroke
• Standard layout: Front-engine, rear-drive
• Optional layout: Front-engine, 4x4
• Transmission: 10-speed automatic
• Trim levels:
• XL
• XLT
• Lariat
• King Ranch
• Platinum
• Limited
• Construction: High-strength fully boxed steel frame, aluminum bed and cab
• Suspension:
• Independent twin I-beam (narrow front track) with coil springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar (F-250 and F-350 4x2) 
• Mono beam (narrow front track) with coil springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar (F-250 and F-350 4x4), mono beam (wide front track) with coil springs, shock absorbers, stabilizer bar (F-450)
• Steering: Electric assist hydraulic recirculating ball
• Brakes: Four-wheel vented discs with ABS
• Wheels:
• 17 inches, 18 inches or 20 inches, F-250 and F-350 
• 17 inches DRW, F-350
• 19.5 inches DRW, F-450
• Wheelbase 4x2/4x4 (inches):
• Regular Cab: 141.4/141.5
• SuperCar: 147.8/147.9 (SWB); 164.1/164.1 (LWB)
• Crew Cab: 159.7/159.7 (SWB); 175.9/175.9 (LWB)