Latest news with #PlatinumPlus
The Drive
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Drive
2025 Ford F-350 Platinum Plus Review: So This Is What Six Figures Gets You
The latest car news, reviews, and features. Over the past two model years, Ford's truck marketers pulled a subtle switcheroo right before our eyes. After carrying the banner for the company's range-topping truck models, the Limited trim was officially put out to pasture, paving the way for a new, two-tiered nomenclature. All hail Platinum, and its new superior, Platinum Plus. On paper, it adds just $6,500 to the 2025 F-350's purchase price, but if you peep the fine print, you'll notice that the high-output diesel (500 horsepower; 1,200 lb-ft of torque) is a mandatory inclusion with Platinum Plus—as is virtually everything else, including four-wheel drive. Our test truck's window sticker showed $27,820 in optional equipment, and $19,495 of that was mandatory with Platinum Plus. You can drive the price up even further with more accessories, but at this point, you've basically run out of packages to throw at it. Outside, the Platinum Plus gets a unique satin exterior trim finish, its own special set of 20-inch wheels, and a handful of popular add-ons, including the 2-kW version of Ford's Pro Power Onboard generator and a twin-panel power sunroof. The interior lacks the panache you get from a Lincoln, but the materials are impressive for a dually. There's French-stitched leather on the seats, doors, and dash; even the grab handles feature cowhide. The A-pillars contrast that with suede interior trim. There's only one color option for the cabin so far—the 'Smoked Truffle' brown shown here—and it's a welcoming shade that might even hide a little workday grime, should you be inclined to get your Super Duty dirty. And that's precisely what I intended to do, after reassuring Ford multiple times that I would return it no worse for wear. I can forgive Ford for being a bit precious about its six-figure land yacht. After all, most auto journos aren't really truck people, so there's always the chance that we vastly overestimate the truck (or ourselves), the results of which can range from cringey to disastrous. But when in doubt, there's always yard work. The running joke among those of us who do this sort of thing for a living is that we inevitably use press trucks to buy mulch. Like a moth to a flame (or perhaps more appropriately, a scribe to a shrimp buffet), I was on the phone to my local landscaping supplier before I'd even finished scheduling the loan. To be fair, it's a fairly simple and consistent test, and apart from towing a lawn mower, one of the few real-world uses people can commonly relate to. A cubic yard of it weighs between a quarter and half a ton—handily similar to the way payload capacities are marketed—and you can get it just about anywhere. And unlike some other easily sourced bulk materials, it's not likely to beat the hell out of a truck bed. Trope — 1 Byron — 0 Two things, though. For starters, this isn't some work-truck-spec pickup with a hose-down interior. This is a $100,000 luxury model with high-quality leather and nice, carpeted floor mats. Bulk mulch is just decomposing wood, and while it may not ding the paint, it can certainly make a mess. And the second thing? Well, this an F-350 dually. Eight foot bed or not, to overload this thing with mulch, it would have to be mixed with molten lead. So while the visuals may be satisfying, it's not all that much of a test. But hey, I was committed. With two yards in the bed, I fired up the Super Duty's Onboard Scales app to see how much of its 4,947-pound payload capacity I'd eaten up. It showed about 30%, or somewhere between 1,500 and 1,700 pounds. I could have fit another yard in there with the tarp to account for it mounding above the bed line, but another ~800 pounds will only just get me halfway to the F-350's capacity. If I was going to push this truck to its limit, I'd need something far more substantial. I pondered that on my brief drive home. Even with the bed tarped, I opted for side streets, stretching the one-and-a-half-mile trip from its usual three minutes to a leisurely five. My house is nestled in the urban-adjacent grid of Detroit's inner suburbs, and the F-350 feels conspicuously wide on most of these two-lanes. With just shy of half an acre, I have more room to maneuver than most of my neighbors, but even that isn't quite enough for the Super Duty. This thing is just big—more than 22 feet long and nearly nine feet wide at the mirrors—and while rear-wheel drive typically allows trucks a tighter turning circle than their length might otherwise suggest, the dual-wheel rear axle throws that whole notion right out the window. Maneuvering this thing is a deliberate process, especially if you're trying to avoid digging huge divots in your grass. Fortunately, Ford offers some quality-of-life features that make it a bit less nerve-racking. Loaded as it is, the Platinum Plus comes with Ford's 360-degree camera system, which earned its keep beautifully as I threaded the truck around freshly planted landscaping. And suddenly, right there in the infotainment screen, the perfect payload test appeared. You might say it hit me like a ton of bricks, but technically, it was more than two tons. This pallet of solid 8x4x16 concrete blocks was generously left behind by my home's previous custodian. I've tried to foist them off on neighbors and random internet landscapers more than once, but in the end, it's always the same story: they're just too heavy to be worth the trouble. There are 138 of them in there, each weighing approximately 33 pounds dry. Bumping that up by a pound to allow for the fact that many near the bottom were borderline waterlogged, we get a total of just under 4,700 pounds—way too much for a typical utility trailer, but still almost 250 pounds short of the F-350's ultimate capacity. Bingo. On paper, the truck can do it. But there's just one problem: I have to load them in there somehow, and unlike mulch, concrete blocks will indeed beat up a truck bed. With the tarp still in place, I put down a piece of scrap 4×8 plywood to protect the bed and tailgate, then set about loading nearly 150 solid blocks of concrete into the back of the Super Duty, by hand, one by one. I was careful not to let any of them careen into the wheel arches as I muscled them into place, periodically checking in with Onboard Scales to make sure everything was going to plan. It was. Just over an hour and a couple of bottles of water later, I had successfully loaded the full pallet into the F-350. Pulling up Onboard Scales, I saw that my math was overly conservative. Even adjusting for the fact that I never corrected the 150-pound passenger offset to reflect my own healthy curb weight, we had at least a few hundred pounds of headroom. After unloading the concrete, I gave the F-350 a thorough hose-down, and was again struck by its size. The bed alone is big enough to have its own zip code, and at five-foot-eight, I often had to use the various steps and other accessibility features just to see far enough into the bed to confirm I was actually spraying the thing I intended to spray. While stretching sore muscles, I caught myself eyeballing the rough framing of what will eventually become my new garage, and was reminded that I have Ford to thank for helping me plan it in the first place. Since my township puts a hard cap on the allowed square footage for a private garage, I faced a difficult design decision: Did I want a three-car garage deep enough to fit most typical passenger cars, or did I want a two-car garage deep enough to fit literally anything? And when it came time to define 'literally anything,' I used the Super Duty's dimensions as the bare minimum. As you can see, quantity won out in the end. Hey, we're a four-car household. Something's gotta give. Still, I was curious. I had to keep the Super Duty's massive side mirrors deployed so I could guide the nearly equally wide rear fenders between the posts at the far side. See, this slab is only 22 feet deep. I already know the F-350 is too long to fit between its future walls, but the mirrors should clear the rough framing of the nine-foot door openings. And they did, at their innermost position, with less than half an inch of breathing room on either side. Phew. The latest car news, reviews, and features. Awkward though it may be at times, it's really easy to love the Super Duty in this environment. Heck, I got more work done in the three days I spent in the yard with that Ford than I did in three weeks of man-powered cleanup last fall. It's like a near-infinite force multiplier; the more you throw at it, the more effortless it makes it seem. But elsewhere, this comes at a cost—literally, considering it will set you back six figures—but also figuratively. A lot of urban parking options are simply off-limits to a truck this big, and even some venues that are accustomed to truck traffic can't accommodate something of this size. My local nursery, which is set up to serve shoppers buying pallets of bagged landscaping materials, didn't have parking spots long enough to fit the Super Duty. And then there's the cabin. Hoo-boy, is it nice. It's still somewhat incongruous to open the door of a heavy-duty pickup truck and see the sort of interior you'd expect in a well-equipped Expedition, but it certainly pampers. If you're looking for a supple ride, we'd steer you toward a single-rear-wheel model without the FX4 package. The off-road dually is borderline skittish on rough surfaces, and downright unpleasant on broken ones. The stump-pulling torque of the high-output Power Stroke can also easily overpower the rear axle from a stop while the bed's unloaded, which saps most of the potential fun out of that big diesel's torque figure. That said, it's really hard to complain about this thing, but for this kinda scratch, that should darn well be the case. If you'd like some nits picked, the absence of BlueCruise is conspicuous at this price point. Self-driving-adjacent tech really isn't my cup of tea, personally, but losing that option in the upgrade from F-150 to Super Duty still stings. And like GM's Super Cruise, it's actually good at what it does. Being good at things is kind of the whole point of a Super Duty. Heavy-duty pickups have developed a bit of a blue-collar-BMW reputation of late, and Platinum Plus certainly won't do anything to change that perception, but for trucks like this, the cachet is all in the capability. Like a Bentley or Rolls-Royce, a high-end truck doesn't actually need to prove anything. It's the capability that counts. And going back to the subject of GM, we can't help but sniff a bit of Denali/Denali Ultimate in Ford's new two-tiered strategy. The two years of included maintenance is certainly a nice perk, and it even comes with direct, one-to-one texting support for your vehicle. Need help with something? Just reach out. And every Platinum Plus comes with a little gift welcoming you to the Ford Family—a nice little engraved cedar box with some additional literature and a branded cloth for cleaning the F-350's enormous screen. I may not quite be sold on six-figure pickup trucks, but if there's any consolation here, it's the fact that a truck like this can do just about anything. Five-thousand pounds in the bed is nothing to sneeze at, and with a different axle (this one came with 3:55s), you can put a 35,900-pound load behind this thing—you need the F-450 (Platinum Plus starting at $103,535) to do measurably better. That's nuts . But then again, so is this truck's $111,000 price tag. 2025 Ford F-350 Platinum Plus Specs Base Price (as tested) $81,395 ($111,310) Powertrain 6.7-liter diesel V8 | 10-speed automatic | 4-wheel drive Horsepower 500 Torque 1,200 lb-ft Seating Capacity 5 Max Towing 31,800 pounds (35,900 pounds with 4.10:1 rear axle) Max Payload 4,947 pounds Bed Length 8 ft Score 8/10 A ridiculous truck with a ridiculous price and go-anywhere, do-anything utility. I'll pass on the dually, though, thanks. Got tips? Send 'em in to: tips@ Byron is one of those weird car people who has never owned an automatic transmission. Born in the DMV but Midwestern at heart, he lives outside of Detroit with his wife, two cats, a Miata, a Wrangler, and a Blackwing.
USA Today
30-04-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
Ford's new F-Series Platinum Plus Super Duty truck offers a unique ownership experience
Ford's new F-Series Platinum Plus Super Duty truck offers a unique ownership experience Show Caption Hide Caption Ford Motor Company: Understanding the automaker's history, legacy Explore the rich history of Ford Motor Company, from its groundbreaking assembly line innovations to iconic cars like the Model T, Mustang, and F-150. The 2025 Ford F-Series Platinum Plus Super Duty is on sale now starting at close to $100,000. As part of the purchase, a buyer gets the Platinum Plus Ownership Experience. Advertising around the 2025 Super Duty will emphasize its U.S. assembly. If you're willing to pony up about $100,000 for a luxury pickup, Ford Motor Co. thinks you should get something beyond all the new in-vehicle amenities and luxury features: You should also get a package that comes with a personalized gift, discounts on accessories and one-on-one texting privileges with Ford truck specialists to answer any questions — to name a few of the benefits. The Dearborn-based automaker opened the order banks for the 2025 Ford F-Series Platinum Plus Super Duty pickup in September and has started to deliver the vehicles to the first buyers in recent weeks. It offered a peek at the Platinum Plus package to reporters this week. Ford's Brian Rathsburg declined to provide figures for how many of the top-of-the-line models it has sold so far, other than to say "we have a healthy amount of orders." And, for those who have purchased the Platinum Plus package, Ford will include with it the "Platinum Plus Ownership Experience." "This is an all-new bundle. It's all-in-one given to the Platinum customers," Rathsburg, Super Duty marketing manager at Ford Pro, told reporters April 22. "The new element is there to try to revise the experience level for our most premium customers." Your own personal concierge The 2025 Ford F-Series Platinum Plus Super Duty Platinum Plus Package pricing is as follows; these do not include a $2,095 delivery fee: F-250 starts at $97,360 F-350 starts at $98,860 F-450 starts at $103,535 The Platinum Plus package is available in the United States and Canada. The Platinum Plus Ownership Experience is offered only to customers in the United States for now, Rathsburg said. Rathsburg said it is a specialized ownership experience that starts with a phone call welcoming the buyer to the "Ford family." The buyers will then receive a personalized gift in the mail, arriving in an engraved cedar box. As part of the experience, that buyer gets a 25% discount on Ford accessories for the first 90 days for a maximum of discount of $500, a free two-year maintenance plan or two free services up to 25,000 miles, a guided virtual truck tour, access to exclusive events and eligibility for upgraded top tier status in FordPass Rewards. FordPass Rewards is a loyalty program where a customer can earn points when buying a Ford vehicle, getting service and using the FordPass app. The customer can redeem points for various rewards, including discounts on service, parts, accessories and toward the purchase of a new Ford vehicle. In case you missed it: I took Toyota's 2025 Land Cruiser out for a second look ― and loved it more But perhaps the coolest part of the Platinum Plus Ownership Experience is that the customer gets one-on-one texting access with Ford truck experts who are on hand to help walk the person through any help they need with their new truck, Rathsburg said. He likened the experts to vehicle concierges of sorts. Made in America Along with the special ownership experience, Rathsburg said Ford wants car buyers to know that this particular model is assembled in the United States. He said Ford is running the "From America, For America" ad campaign that showcases the vehicle rolling off the assembly lines at Kentucky Truck Plant in Louisville. Ford also builds the truck at Ohio Assembly Plant near Avon Lake. That fits with Ford's MO lately. The automaker has been aggressively touting its American heritage in 30-second television spots, social media and most recently in full-page newspaper print ads. The campaign coincides with Ford's employee-pricing for everyone sale that runs through June 2. "We felt the newspaper ad put more depth into (the message): That we are the right brand at the right time and it's about being supportive to America," Ford spokesman Said Deep told the Free Press earlier. Rathsburg echoed the sentiment, saying of the Super Duty ads, "We're extremely proud to remind everybody that all Super Duty trucks sold in America are made in America. That'll be a clear message going forward." Asked how much of the vehicle's content includes imported parts, which could be subjected to 25% tariffs starting May 3, Rathsburg said he did not have that information. As to how future tariffs could impact the vehicle's price tag, he said the company is monitoring it and will address that issue if and when it comes to bear. "That's a very murky, tenuous space," Rathsburg said. "We're monitoring it. Right now, we're doing very well in the marketplace. We're off to a terrific start with Super Duty and all indicators are we're doing quite well. But there are things down the road that we don't know about." Luxury mixed with capability The Platinum and Platinum Plus trims replace the Limited trim as the Super Duty's top of the line package. The reason Ford removed Limited from the 2025 model year Super Duty lineup is to be consistent across the F-Series lineup and F-150, which announced the same last year, Ford spokeswoman Elizabeth Kraft said. "Platinum is our top trim, the Platinum Plus Package is a step up from our Platinum trim level," Kraft said. The new Platinum Plus offers a distinctive satin finish grille with bright chrome inserts and the interior is a soft brownish-gray color that Ford calls "Smoked Truffle." The truck has perforated Venetian leather seats with French stitching and "Max Recline Seats" for added refinement. It has 2 kilowatts "Pro Power Onboard" to provide mobile power for tools or recreational equipment. Ford will offer the 2025 Super Duty in two new exterior colors: Avalanche and Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat. The 2025 Super Duty has maximum available 500 horsepower and 1,200 pound-feet of peak power. It has a maximum available payload of 8,000 pounds and maximum available towing of 40,000 pounds. Ford said the 7.3-liter V8 gasoline engine is now standard starting on King Ranch and Platinum. The 6.7-liter Power Stroke diesel engine is an option across all trims. All engines come standard with a version of the heavy-duty 10-speed TorqShift automatic transmission. "It's a luxurious truck for the customer who still needs the capability," Rathsburg said. Jamie L. LaReau is the senior autos writer who covers Ford Motor Co. for the Detroit Free Press. Contact Jamie at jlareau@ Follow her on Twitter @jlareauan. To sign up for our autos newsletter. Become a subscriber.
Forbes
23-04-2025
- Automotive
- Forbes
Ford Goes Even More Premium With Super Duty Platinum Plus Pickups
2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty Platinum Plus It's no secret that the main reason Ford, General Motors and Stellantis' US operations are still in business is the enormous profits they make on big trucks and SUVs. Without the huge margins all three make, especially from the more premium trims of these behemoths, especially the trucks that have been protected by the 25% 'chicken tax' tariff, they would have to compete more aggressively in other market segments. Ford is now learning from airlines and trying to extract even more from their most affluent customers with a Platinum Plus package on its Super Duty pickups. 2025 Ford F-450 Super Duty Platinum Plus For the 2025 model year, Ford discontinued the Limited trim on its full-size pickup trucks and replaced it with a new Platinum Plus add-on package to the Platinum trim level. F-150s have been available with Platinum Plus since last fall and Super Duty customers will start taking delivery in the next few weeks. 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty Platinum Plus with smoked truffle interior theme So what does Platinum Plus get you on a 2025 F-250, F-350 or F-450? It's the most luxurious version of a Ford pickup but the real differentiator is an improved customer experience. All Platinum Plus Super Duty trucks get the high-output 6.7-liter diesel V8 and four-wheel-drive with unique 20-inch painted aluminum wheels. They also come with a premium leather interior package in a dark tan color scheme that Ford calls 'smoked truffle.' The leather is on the seats, door panels, grab handles, upper dashboard, and center console. 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty Platinum Plus Inside the front doors there are illuminated scuff plates, and the front seats are Ford's max recline setup that basically lets you lay flat to take a rest. A 2-kW Pro Power system provides several plugs in the bed to power tools and other equipment. 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty Platinum Plus As mentioned, the real differentiator is the Platinum Plus Experience. Every customer that opts for the package gets: The goal according to Ford is to 'deepen customer engagement' and keep them loyal to the brand in an increasingly competitive market. 2025 Ford F-350 Super Duty Platinum Plus Getting this sort of hands-on treatment doesn't come cheap. The F-250 Platinum Plus starts at $99,455 including a $2,095 delivery charge. The F-350 starts at $100,955 and the F-450 goes for $105,630. On top of the Platinum Plus package, customers can also add other packages such as the Tremor or FX4 off-road packages, the vehicle integration system, a 12,000 Warn winch, retractable tonneau cover and more. Super Duty Platinum Plus pickups are available to order now and will be shipping to dealers shortly.
Associated Press
15-04-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Artemis Smiles Orthodontics Achieves Platinum Plus Invisalign Provider Status in Sandy Springs, GA
04/14/2025, Sandy Springs, GA // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Artemis Smiles Orthodontics, under the leadership of Dr. Behnaz (Bennie) Yavari, proudly announces its recognition as a Platinum Plus Invisalign Provider. This esteemed designation reflects the practice's extensive experience and success in administering Invisalign treatments to patients in Sandy Springs and the surrounding communities. The Platinum Plus status is awarded to orthodontic practices that demonstrate a high level of proficiency and a significant number of successful Invisalign cases. This achievement underscores Dr. Yavari's commitment to offering cutting-edge orthodontic solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of each patient. About Artemis Smiles Orthodontics Located in the heart of Sandy Springs, Artemis Smiles Orthodontics is dedicated to providing modern, convenient, and affordable orthodontic care for children, teens, and adults. The practice offers a comprehensive range of services, including traditional braces, Breezy Braces by InBrace, Invisalign treatment and teeth whitening. Emphasizing patient comfort and convenience, Artemis Smiles incorporates advanced technologies such as 3D CBCT imaging, the most advanced iTero Lumina scanner, and remote dental monitoring to ensure precise treatment planning and effective progress tracking. Dr. Behnaz Yavari, affectionately known as 'Dr. Bennie,' brings over twelve years of clinical experience in both private and corporate orthodontic settings. Her passion for creating dream smiles is evident in her personalized approach to patient care. As the first female-owned orthodontic practice in Sandy Springs, Artemis Smiles Orthodontics is committed to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all patients. Commitment to Community and Accessibility Understanding the demands of modern family life, Artemis Smiles Orthodontics offers flexible scheduling options, including Saturday appointments, to accommodate busy lifestyles. The practice also provides free virtual and in-office consultations, same-day starts, and flexible financing options, ensuring that high-quality orthodontic care is accessible to everyone in the community. Looking Ahead Achieving Platinum Plus Invisalign Provider status is a significant milestone for Artemis Smiles Orthodontics, reflecting the practice's dedication to excellence in orthodontic care. Dr. Yavari and her team remain committed to staying at the forefront of orthodontic advancements, continually enhancing their services to provide patients with the best possible outcomes. For more information or to schedule a consultation, please visit or contact: Artemis Smiles Orthodontics 220 Sandy Springs Circle Ste. 205 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 Phone: (404) 704-0030 About Artemis Smiles Orthodontics Artemis Smiles Orthodontics, led by Dr. Behnaz Yavari, serves the Sandy Springs, GA community with innovative orthodontic care. The practice offers a range of services, including braces, Invisalign, and InBrace, utilizing advanced technologies to ensure precise and effective treatments. Committed to patient comfort and convenience, Artemis Smiles Orthodontics provides flexible scheduling and financing options, making orthodontic care accessible to all. ### Media Contact Artemis Smiles Orthodontics 220 Sandy Springs Circle Ste. 205 Sandy Springs, GA 30328 [email protected] newsroom: Source published by Submit Press Release >> Artemis Smiles Orthodontics Achieves Platinum Plus Invisalign Provider Status in Sandy Springs, GA
