Specifications

Engine: 6.8 liter tri-fuel V10

Aspiration: supercharger

Torque: 425 @ 3250 rpm

HP: 310 @ 4250 rpm (gas)

HP/Liter: 45.6 hp per liter

(from Ford Press Release) The Ford F-250 Super Chief concept takes truck leadership to a new level – as the world’s first vehicle with Tri-Flex fueling, enabling the supercharged V-10 to run for 500 miles between fill-ups on hydrogen, E85 ethanol or gasoline.

The tri-fuel flexibility is one possible innovation by Ford to help pave the way for hydrogen vehicles, as the nation’s ethanol and hydrogen fueling infrastructure continues to develop.

The concept truck and its name are inspired by the bold, American Super Chief trains of the nation’s past. Super Chief is Ford’s most advanced, well-appointed pickup ever – designed to build on the standard for interior excellence established by the new F-150.

Super Chief features an interior paneled in American walnut, brushed aluminum and bold brown leather. Convenience features include bold light-emitting diode (LED) headlamps, a full glass roof and automated ottoman.

Technology Innovation in a Bold American Wrapper

The Ford F-250 Super Chief concept boldly foretells a new era for pickup trucks that Ford intends to lead with bold, American design and innovation – as it has for nearly three decades.

"F-250 Super Chief pays tribute to the bold optimism that is part of the American character," says Peter Horbury, executive director, North America Design. "The F-250 Super Chief’s innovations pave a new path for the American truck. It’s a notion – and a modern design – so bold, it could only come from Ford."

Using hydrogen, the Tri-Flex V-10 produces 400 lb.-ft. of torque and 99 percent less CO2 than using gasoline.

Running on hydrogen, the supercharged V-10 engine provides up to 12 percent fuel economy improvement on an energy equivalent basis versus a non-supercharged gasoline V-10 – and nearly 500 miles per fill-up. In addition, when operating on hydrogen, the Tri-Flex V-10 generates 99 percent less CO2 emissions than when running on gasoline.

The world’s first Tri-Flex engine employs hydrogen, gasoline or E85 fuel.

Hydrogen is the ultimate clean fuel of the future. It is not only the cleanest fuel, it is the most abundant element on Earth. E85 ethanol is a domestic, renewable, greenhouse gas-friendly fuel.

"The Tri-Flex fuel engine encourages the development of the hydrogen fuel infrastructure for the best future mobility solution," says Dr. Gerhard Schmidt, vice president, Research and Advanced Engineering. "It also drives the expansion of the domestic ethanol E85 fuel production and availability and, of course, provides our customers the convenience of gasoline until these other fuels become more readily available."

The Tri-Flex system leverages existing powertrain technologies in which Ford has long held leadership. Since 1996, Ford has led in production and sales of flex-fuel E85 ethanol/gasoline vehicles. Ford has built more than 1.6 million flex-fuel vehicles that operate on any mix of E85 and gasoline.

The Ford F-250 Super Chief epitomizes bold, American design and features an innovative Tri-Flex fuel engine that can run on hydrogen, E85 or gasoline.

In December 2005, a flex-fuel capable version of the F-150 pickup went into production. Ford has committed to building more than 250,000 flex-fuel vehicles in 2006. Ford flex-fuel vehicles offer the customer convenience of filling one tank with E85 and/or gasoline.

The transition from hydrogen fuel power to either E85 or gasoline is handled seamlessly through a dashboard-mounted switch and can occur while the vehicle is in operation. Transition from either E85 or gasoline to hydrogen requires that the vehicle be at idle to allow for proper engagement of the supercharger, which only operates when the vehicle is powered by hydrogen.