Ford F-250 Super Chief Tri-Fuel Pickup

Talk about fueling alternative thought: Ford's F-250 Super Chief is the world's first vehicle with Tri-Flex fueling. In short, this advanced pickup is engineered to run on gasoline, E85 ethanol, or hydrogen...covering all the bases from the most prolific and available motor fuel to the most future-oriented.

Powered by a 6.8-liter supercharged V-10, the Super Chief is intended to advance Ford Motor Company's interest in alternative fuel technology. The Tri-Flex engine aims to encourage the devel-opment of a hydrogen fuel infrastructure for future mobility, while also driving expansion of domestic ethanol E85 fuel production and availability. Since both alternative fuels presently offer fueling infrastructure challenges - especially hydrogen - the ability to operate on all three fuels would offer drivers the option of running on either alternative fuel when available, and default to gasoline when the other fuels just aren't around.

The Super Chief's super-size allows it to easily accommodate high-pressure cylinders to store hydrogen in addition to the gasoline and E85 tank. Ford claims nearly a 500 mile range between fill-ups. Interestingly, the V-10's supercharger is engineered to only engage when the truck is operating on hydrogen.

Naturally, hydrogen's major benefit is found at the tailpipe. When powered by hydrogen, the Tri-Flex V-10 emits near-zero tail-pipe emissions and 99 percent less CO2 than when running on gasoline. Ford also reports a 12 percent fuel economy improvement on an equivalent energy basis when fueled by hydrogen compared to their non-supercharged gasoline V-10.

The design blends elements of the current F-250 Super Duty pickup with the massive, yet sleek and powerful, lines of a locomotive. Styling inspiration comes from the American Super Chief trains of a more romantic era in transportation. With its high beltline and abbreviated roof profile, the look is all-business. And once you slip inside, the Super Chief offers business class accommoda-tions. Extensive use of American Walnut, brushed aluminum, and dark, rich brown leather put this interior over the top.

With its purposefully-powerful design, three-fuel operation, and extremely low emissions capabilities, the Super Chief provides an important glimpse at how Ford views the importance of flexible-fuel operation in future models.