Ford Atlas Concept: The Future of Pickups
01/15/2013
Ford
Ford today unveiled the Ford Atlas Concept to showcase the design, capability, fuel efficiency and smart technologies that will define future pickup trucks.
"The Ford Atlas Concept previews the innovations that will transform what people expect from their pickup," said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "With 36 years as America's best-selling pickup, we are absolutely committed to setting the agenda in the truck market."
Design with purpose
The Ford Atlas Concept is inspired by decades of listening to customers at the places they work and play. The result is a purpose-driven design with prominent wheel arches, a wide stance and chiseled grille - all to reinforce its functional Built Ford Tough((R)) image.
"We wanted the concept to reflect how Ford trucks help customers in both their worlds - professionally and personally," said J Mays, Ford group vice president and chief creative officer. "Every surface and feature in the vehicle has been crafted for purpose and capability while retaining an unmistakable Built Ford Tough look."
Designers enhanced truck functionality, while creating new advanced features(see infographic here). For example, multiple tie-down points are integrated within the cargo box walls and load floor, along with 110-volt electrical outlets in the cargo box to charge power tools. An integrated roof carrying system and hidden extendable ramps give the truck unique functionality for a variety of jobs.
The interior is themed with structural styling cues and features the latest thinking in comfort, utility and refinement. Innovative, thin, lightweight seating in comfortable leather allows for extra legroom for rear passengers - along with integrated storage for smaller items. "Floating" instrument pods and glove-friendly buttons and controls keep the interior functional and ruggedly stylish.
Leading fuel efficiency
The Ford Atlas Concept features a next-generation EcoBoost((R)) powertrain, which introduces truck-enhanced Auto Start-Stop engine shutoff technology. Auto Start-Stop shuts off the engine when stopped in traffic to save fuel - and smartly suspends the feature when the truck knows it is towing.
EcoBoost engines use gasoline direct injection and turbocharging to deliver fuel-economy gains of up to 20 percent and reduction of CO(2) emissions of up to 15 percent, compared with larger-displacement engines. More than 500,000 EcoBoost engines have been sold globally, including 250,000 in the Ford F-150.
The Ford Atlas Concept goes further to save fuel through a combination of active aerodynamic elements that reduce wind resistance. They include:
-- Active Grille Shutters: Automatic shutters behind the grille stay open
when extra engine cooling is needed, such as during low-speed
stop-and-go driving or while working in hot weather. The shutters
automatically close to improve aerodynamics when cruising on the highway
at steady speeds
-- Active Wheel Shutters: Automatic shutters in the wheels are hidden to
improve style at rest and low speeds, but automatically close at highway
speeds to improve aerodynamics. Self-charging batteries use energy from
the wheels' motion to power the shutters
-- Drop-Down Front Air Dam: A drop-down front wind spoiler lowers at
highway speeds to improve underbody airflow. The air dam is raised at
low speeds to improve ground clearance - helpful for off-roading
-- Power Running Boards: Auto-deploying running boards help passengers
enter the truck at rest and tuck up against the truck when it is moving
to improve aerodynamics and ground clearance The combination of these fuel-saving features saves more than 2 mpg on the highway without diminishing towing or hauling capability.
Work and play smarter, not harder
Ford Atlas Concept is a rolling showcase of features that improve capability, durability and productivity to meet the diverse needs of pickup truck owners. Features include:
-- Dual-Purpose Tailgate Step and Cargo Cradle: The acclaimed Ford Tailgate
Step goes a step further by adding the ability to also act as a cargo
cradle - lifting and holding extra-long cargo items above the truck and
freeing valuable bed space
-- Trailer Backup Assist: This segment-first innovation allows drivers to
back a trailer with the twist of a knob. Ford research shows that
backing a trailer is often the most intimidating task a truck customer
can face
-- Dynamic Hitch Assist: Hitching a trailer can be time consuming and
difficult. Dynamic Hitch Assist helps precisely line up the truck's
hitch with the trailer coupling, eliminating maneuvering guesswork by
showing visual cues in the truck's center display screen
-- 360-Degree Point-of-View Camera: A Ford truck first, the system gives a
bird's-eye view of the truck to help position the vehicle in tight
places or when there are obstacles near the truck - such as on a busy
job site or grocery store parking lot
-- LED Headlamps and Taillamps: Advanced LED lighting offers better road
illumination than conventional halogen or HID lights and lasts longer.
LED lamps also offer near-instant response, giving valuable extra
warning time for following traffic
-- LED Cargo Box and Side Mirror Lighting: Advanced, powerful yet efficient
LED lighting brightly lights the cargo box and job site after the sun
goes down with minimal battery drain compared to standard headlights or
plug-in lights
-- Hidden Cargo Ramps: Lightweight, durable loading ramps stowed below the
cargo box can be quickly removed and set up to assist with loading
wheeled items into the bed - from landscaping equipment to dirt bikes About Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company(NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 172,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide, the company's automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.