Ford F-Series returns

Performax International has released North America's top-selling pick-up Down Under with full Australian compliance, priced from $105,000 plus on-road costs.

Converted to right-hand drive by Australia's largest importer of new American vehicles,the latest-generation 2015 F-250 Super Duty is now in production in Gympie, Queensland.

Five Crew Cab equipment grades are available, all powered by a 6.7-litre common-rail turbo-diesel V8 producing 328kW of power and an astonishing 1166Nm of torque, matched as standard with a six-speed automatic transmission and shift-on-the-fly four-wheel drive.

Standard safety features include six airbags including full-length curtains, electronic stability/traction control, anti-lock brakes, hill start assist, trailer sway control, roll stability control, tyre pressure monitoring and five three-point seatbelts.

As such, Performax says the F-250 offers an unrivalled 4.5-tonne towing capacity, 1100kg payload, exceptional all-terrain capability and more road presence, interior luxury and comfort than any ute or SUV previously available in Australia.

The entry-level XL rides on 17-inch painted steel wheels and features air-conditioning, a full trip computer, height/reach adjustable steering column, an enormous centre armrest, side steps, telescoping side mirrors and 60/40-split flip-up/fold-down rear seat.

Among the host of options are Ford's SYNC voice-activated connectivity, a bed liner, cloth trim, remote start, dual alternators and FX4 off-road pack comprising Rancho shocks, skid plates, hill descent control and decals.

Priced at $115,000 is the XLT, which adds 18-inch alloys, cloth trim, extra 12-volt outlets, lockage front/rear storage and cup-holders, adjustable head restraints, SYNC, four-speaker CD/MP3 player, cruise control, power door locks, power windows/mirrors, carpet mats, chromed grille and bumpers, rear privacy glass, remote keyless entry and alarm.

For $127,000, the Lariat also scores an eight-inch colour touch-screen, satellite-navigation, reversing camera with active guides, premium Sony sound with eight speakers, digital clock, dash-top storage with two USB, SD card and AV inputs, dual-zone climate-control, leather trim and 10-way power front seat adjustment.

There's also a 200-amp alternator, electronic 4WD control, configurable colour driver info display, power-adjustable pedals, auto-dimming mirror, woodgrain dash inserts, power-sliding rear window, illuminated vanity mirrors, leather-clad multifunction steering wheel, auto headlights, fog lights, keyless entry keypad, rear parking sensors, power-telescoping wing mirrors, chrome tubular side steps and body-colour door handles.

In addition, the rural-themed King Ranch variant ($134,000) offers Antiqued Mesa Brown leather trim with seatback logos, a matching steering wheel and floor mats, driver's seat memory, heated/cooled front seats, remote start, unique woodgrain highlights, body-coloured grille surround, side skirts and bumpers, illuminated side steps and two-tone lower access paint.

For the same price, the urban-styled Platinum adds to the Lariat's standard features 20-inch alloys, premium leather trim with 'tuxedo stripe' and seatback embroidery, driver's seat memory, heated/cooled front seats, remote start, unique woodgrain highlights, a heated leather/wood multifunction steering wheel, six-inch chromed side steps, raided chrome 'PLATINUM' tray lettering, and chromed cargo tie-down hooks, grille, tailgate applique and door handles.

This isn't the first time the latest (12th-generation) F-250 has been made available by a local converter, with Performax joining Harrison F-Trucks in receiving full-volume Australian Design Rule compliance. Ford Australia imported the 10th generation, converted to RHD in Brazil, between 2001 and 2007.

Performax, which has converted thousands of North American vehicles in the past 25 years, offers a four-year/120,000km bumper-to-bumper warranty and roadside assistance.

Performax F-250s incorporate more than 100 new components, all of which are numbered, ensuring the consistent quality and replaceability that hand-made one-off parts lack.

Work is completed on its purpose-built production facility to ISO 9001 Quality Assurance standards and the company is also certified to ISO/TS 16949 (Automotive Quality Management).

Unlike some Australian-delivered F-Series trucks, there is a single RHD steering box on a redesigned steering rack, fully functional airbags, an expanded driver's foot well with foot rest, fully functioning power adjustable pedals (where fitted), original Ford seat belts all round and dual batteries in their original place in the engine bay.

Performax, which has outlets in most capital cities, also maintains OEM functionality of the driver's door security PIN pad, Bluetooth microphone integration on the driver's side, a full-size glove box and moulded mud flaps.

“We're tremendously proud of this latest achievement, which is the pinnacle of all our years of experience and perseverance with quality standards,” said Performax General Manager Glenn Soper.

"Old-fashioned conversion methods are no longer acceptable to customers buying these sophisticated new American pick-ups. In engineering, electronics and final fit and finish, the Performax difference ensures we build every vehicle to factory-original quality standards.

“The F-Series has been one of America's most popular vehicle ranges for six decades, but many people in Australia too are keen to see the nameplate back on the road here. Pre-launch demand has been very strong."

With more than 34 million produced since 1948, the F-Series has been North America's top-selling truck for 37 consecutive years and the USA's most popular new vehicle – bar none – for the last 28 years.

The latest (13th) generation of the smallest and best-selling version, the F-150, enters US production in October and will offer dramatic reductions in weight and fuel consumption due to its aluminium-intensive design, but may not be sold here.

The F-250 and F-350, which are expected to eventually also migrate onto the lighter new F-150 chassis, joined the F-Series Super Duty family in 1998, with the redesigned 10th generation.

The current F-250 now available from Performax was first released in the US in 2009 but the company says its local release was delayed in part by objections from Ford Australia, which holds the local import license for all new Ford vehicles.

Performax said Ford Australia prevented a fleet deal at the 11th hour that would have resulted in a sub-$100,000 starting price, but it remains hopeful that government intervention will overturn that decision.

Either way, it plans to release an F-250 SuperCab priced from under $100,000, as well as the bigger and more expensive F-350 and, next year, F-450 models.

The F-250 Crew Cab measures 6.3 metres long, weighs 3400kg (tare) and can tow 4.5 tonnes with electric brakes and up to 7.3 tonnes with air brakes.

However, the biggest F-450 rides on a longer wheelbase with dual rear axles, spans no less than 6.8 metres, offers a three-tonne payload, can tow more than 14 tonnes and has a gross combined weight of more than 18 tonnes.

Performax expects to sell 300 F-Series vehicles next year – as many Ford, GM, Dodge and Toyota trucks and cars as it sold in total last year – eventually increasing to 500 annually.

Performax F-250 Super Duty pricing (plus ORCs):
XL --$105,000
XLT -- $115,000
Lariat -- $127,000
Platinum -- $134,000
King Ranch -- $134,000