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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

2016 Ford Explorer configurator reveals $30,700* base price, Platinum starts at $52,600*

The a la carte menu for the 2016 Ford Explorer is ready for your... umm... exploring. The first page of the refreshed model's configurator reveals the lineup, including the new Platinum trim, and price increases for three of the carryover models. The base Explorer doesn't change by one red cent: it can still be had for $30,700. The XLT needs $33,400 (a $400 price bump), the Limited goes for $41,300 (a not insignificant $2,900 price increase), and the Sport requires $43,300 (a $200 increase). That new Platinum model goes where no Explorer MSRP has gone before, beginning at $52,600 (*all prices are subject to an $895 destination charge). However, since Ford has put almost everything in it, you can't jack the price up too much further unless you lose your mind in the accessories catalog. You can quickly head that way lower down the order, though. The Limited's price jump appears to be due to the voice-activated navigation system, which comes standard; it was formerly part of a $2,600 option package. The Limited goes up by just $995 when specced with the new 2.3-liter EcoBoost, which raises the power over the 2.0-liter EcoBoost it replaces to 270 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque, but doesn't incur any fuel economy penalty. All-wheel drive tacks on another $2,000, safety features like active park assist and lane departure warning come as part of $3,000 Equipment Group A, and you'll still have another three pages of options to get through. On the other hand, if you just want to get your family bundle into an Explorer without spending a bundle, the base model doesn't offer any packages and only has one option over $200. Let the research begin.

2015 Ford Mustang EcoBoost already hitting 12-second quarters

The arrival of a new Ford Mustang means many things to many people, but not least of them is drag racers. The pony car has always been a mainstay of the drag strip, and the Ford Racing team aims to carry that reputation forward with this latest generation. So it cooked up a few basic modifications on three new 'Stangs and headed to the strips at US 131 and Milan Dragway to see what they could coax out of 'em.
Impressively, the 5.0-liter V8 Mustang GT with a few modifications (but no forced induction) managed to clock a quarter-mile time of 11.77 seconds. Another Mustang GT fitted with a supercharger clocked a blistering 10.97 seconds. But just as intriguing was the modified EcoBoost model that, with only four cylinders and 2.3 liters of displacement, still passed the gates in just 12.56 seconds - nearly half a second better than expected. This with modification limited to a new subframe, half-shaft, drive shaft loops, exhaust, engine calibration, slicks, roll cage and bucket seat. Well done, boys.