Although we've seen it in spy video, Ford officially unveiled the 2011 F-Series Super Duty at the Texas State Fair over the weekend. The basic foundation of Ford's heavy-duty pickups is unchanged, Contributor Mark Williams reports, but the importance of the new in-house-built 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel V8 can't be overstated. As we've reported previously, the Power Stroke will carry ratings of 400 hp and 725 lb-ft of torque, making it the only legitimate engine choice for those planning to tow with the Super Duty.

The base engine in the Super Duty line is a 6.2-liter gasoline V8. Ford hasn't disclosed ratings, yet, but we hear it will be more potent than the current 6.8-liter V10 (362 hp, 457 lb-ft). Compared to the advanced Power Stroke, with its compacted graphite iron block and dual-compressor wheel turbo, the gas SOHC V8 is evenhandedly conventional with an iron block and 2 valves per cylinder.

Both V8s will be paired up with a new six-speed automatic transmission with a tow/haul mode. Ford won't offer a manual transmission option this time around.

IL News: 2011 Ford Super Duty Unveiled at the State Fair of Texas