Ford F-Series returns

North America's top-selling pick-up is now available 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, Performax International, 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.

But the big news for those with large trailer boats is that Performax says the F-250 offers an unrivalled 4.5-tonne towing capacity and an 1100kg payload.

The entry-level XL 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.

This isn't the first time the latest (12th-generation) F-250 has been made available by a local converter, but Performax is the first manufacturer to receive full-volume Australian Design Rule compliance since 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, says that brings a number of advantages, backed by a four-year/120,000km bumper-to-bumper warranty and roadside assistance.

"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."

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

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