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Is this the 2017 Ford F-250 and its all-new aluminum body?

We don't have much to go on, but our friends at Jalopnik have uncovered a completely undoctored photo (used with permission) of what appears to be the 2017 Ford F-250 Super Duty. There's no indication of what's under the boxy new sheetmetal – our bet, like that of Jalopnik, is that the 6.2-liter gasoline-powered V8 will join the latest torque-monster of a 6.7-liter PowerStroke V8 – but we're still left with lots of time to work out the details. For now, we see the same kind of upright and in-your-face styling that we've come to expect from the Ford Super Duty, including more chrome than a '60s Cadillac up front and huge headlight clusters that cut deeply into the side bodywork. We also note plenty of glass making up the large greenhouse, which should be a boon for visibility. Of course, the big news is the actual metal that the body is stamped from. We're expecting to see lots of aluminum, with the heavy-duty pickup following the smaller, lighter-duty F-150 into the lightweight realm for increased fuel savings and greater pulling and hauling capabilities. Stay tuned for more. Related Video: News Source: JalopnikImage Credit: Jalopnik Ford Truck Future Vehicles Off-Road Vehicles ford f-250 autoblog black

Ford could use Raptor name on Ranger in Australia

Ford might be flying the Raptor name into the market Down Under, but rather than on a high-performance F-150, the aggressive moniker could be used for a mean Ranger. The Australia-based site Car Advice recently spotted the Blue Oval testing a modified Ranger over some off-road terrain. The pickup was equipped with a snorkel over the roof for wading into deep water, a brush bar to protect the front, a higher ride height, and fender flares. The regular version of the truck launches Down Under later this year, including the somewhat rugged Wildtrak trim level (pictured above). So where does the Raptor name fit into this? Ford filed a trademark in Australia on June 5 for the Ranger Raptor. There's no guarantee for that as the truck's moniker, though. As of May 28, the Blue Oval also owns the right to the Ranger FX4 title. Although, don't start saving yet. With the Ranger remaining unavailable outside of the US for the latest generation, there's no chance of a Ranger Raptor coming here. Hopefully, Aussie off-roaders get plenty of enjoyment out of the truck, if it sees production. Related Video:

2014 Ford Fiesta gets fuel economy bump to 41 mpg

The 2014 Ford Fiesta is in showrooms now with refreshed styling and new performance ST model, but it's what isn't yet available that should help the Fiesta stand out from the growing crowd of subcompacts. Aside from the new 1.0-liter EcoBoost model coming later this year, Ford recently told us that a new Fiesta SFE trim level is on the way that should put the updated Fiesta at the top of its class for fuel economy.
The new Fiesta SFE will hit an estimated 41 miles per gallon on the highway when equipped with the six-speed automatic transmission. The current listing on fueleconomy.gov shows the 2014 Fiesta getting up to 29 mpg city and 39 highway, but the SFE will get minor aero tuning and a recalibrated engine controller to help bump the highway figure past rivals like the Chevrolet Sonic and Nissan Versa - both of which top out at 40-mpg highway. There's still no word as to when the small 1.0-liter EcoBoost will show in the US, but Ford has indicated that engine's fuel economy isn't expected to be released until October.