In the great 2011 heavy-duty truck stand-off, Ford flinched first. But then it whipped out a  big-ass 735-pound-feet-of-torque-having diesel and pummeled its opponents silly.

You see, Ford Motor Company and General Motors (on behalf of Chevrolet and GMC) have been inactivity to release their respective power and towing figures on their new heavy-duty trucks for the 2011 model — matters of no small importance to heavy-duty truck buyers. Since Ford's new Super Duty will go on understanding first (in showrooms in April) the company couldn't move much longer.

Here then are the pertinent digits:

The new 6.2-liter gasoline V8 (pinched from the SVT Raptor, where it serves as the optional engine) makes 385 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. The new Ford-designed 6.7-liter turbo-diesel V8 makes 390 horsepower and 735 lb-ft of torque. The only acquirable transmission for either engine is Ford's new 6-speed automatic.

The monster-level F-450 can tow up to 24,400 pounds and has a maximum payload capacity of 6,520 pounds. Neither GM nor Ram make a vehicle in the same class as the F-450, so a  better comparison of max towing would be with the F-350, which has up to 21,600-pound capability. All of these numbers are currently what Ford proudly calls "class-leading."

If GM is to acquire the advantage in this fight, it's going to have to announce some big numbers — or any at all. We're waiting…. 

Look for a First Drive story soon. Meanwhile have a gander at our 2011 Ford Super Duty First Look story for more information.