Ford's New Atlas Concept Envisions the Next Generation of the F-150
Ford yanked the covers off a replacement conception model at the 2013 Detroit automobile Show on weekday morning showcasing the brand's evolved styling language however a lot of significantly, its future vision for pickup trucks and the way they're going to improve fuel economy.
The Blue Oval will not say (yet) if the new EcoBoost-powered Atlas conception directly previews ensuing generation of its popular F-150 series, however the truck's size and overall presence suggests that it will.
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The Ford Atlas conception previews the innovations that may remodel what individuals expect from their pickup,” aforementioned rule Nair, Ford cluster vp, international development. “With thirty six years as America’s popular pickup, we have a tendency to ar fully committed to setting the agenda within the truck market.”
While the outside style of the Atlas conception ably evolves Ford's current DNA, the devil is within the details with the carmaker creating use of associate degree assortment of active mechanics parts to scale back wind resistance.
These embody Active Grille and Wheel Shutters that keep open at low speeds and shut on the main road to enhance mechanics. additionally, self-charging batteries that use energy from the wheels’ motion power the shutters. there is conjointly a drop-down, front wind spoiler that lowers at main road speeds to enhance stomach flow and detracts at low speeds to enhance ground clearance further as auto-deploying running boards.
Ford states that the mixture of those fuel-saving options "saves quite two mpg on the main road while not decreasing towing or transport capability".
For its motivation, the Atlas conception options a next-generation EcoBoost powertrain, that gains a truck-enhanced automobile Start-Stop engine shutoff technology to higher its fuel economy numbers. Ford didn't give the other details concerning the powertrain.
According to Ford, it's designers conjointly increased the truck's practicality, whereas making new advanced options like multiple tie-down points housed inside the payload box walls and cargo floor, associate degree integrated roof carrying system and hidden extendible ramps.
Inside, highlights embody skinny, light-weight seating that add further legroom for rear passengers at the side of integrated storage for smaller things
“We wished the conception to mirror however Ford trucks facilitate customers in each their worlds – professionally and in person,” aforementioned J Mays, Ford cluster vp and chief inventive officer. “Every surface and have within the vehicle has been crafted for purpose associate degreed capability whereas holding an clear designed Ford robust look.”
Other key options introduced on the Atlas embody a 360-Degree Point-of-View Camera, LED headlamps, tail lamps, payload box and aspect mirror lighting, and a replacement tail-gate style that may conjointly act as a payload cradle lifting and holding extra-long payload things higher than the truck.