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Once again the blue oval boys are wasting no opportunity to upstage their competition. While the boys in bow-ties were busy unveiling their “new” truck, Ford was showing the way of the future for the best selling vehicle in the world.
Meet the Atlas, Ford’s concept truck that debuted this week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, MI. Looking something like a blending of the current Super Duty and F150 trucks, the Atlas is a showcase for possible new technologies, and likely very near the look of the next generation F150. Ford of course has a lot riding on this truck, being that the F150 has been their bread and butter for over thirty years.
In spite of rumors, Atlas is not skinned in aluminum, magnesium, or other exotic materials. Just like the current F150, it’s a steel body with an aluminum hood. Ford is tight lipped about what is powering the concept, except to say that it features next generation Eco-Boost technology. We’re crossing our fingers here hoping that might be a direct injected turbo-charged variant of the current Coyote engine, and we’d settle for a pumped up version of the current Eco-Boost V6.
Left: Thin molded seats are designed to save weight. Center: Active Wheel Shutters are self charging and close at highway speeds to improve fuel economy. Right: LED headlights are more energy efficient, last longer, and provide brighter light.
Future features that may make it onto the next F150 options list include, multiple tie down points in the bed, integrated bed step, multiple 110 volt outlets in the cargo area for recharging your power tools (we’re thinking for plugging in an electric cooler).
The Atlas also features active grille shutters, something first seen on the Fiesta and Focus, to help improve fuel economy when maximum airflow across the radiator and engine aren’t needed. There are even active shutters in the wheels, an area where Ford believes they might be able to squeeze more fuel economy via aerodynamic improvement. The shutters close at speed, and the batteries that power them are self-charging.
While all of these features may not make it to the next F150, it’s nice to see that Ford is already thinking of ways to continue to improve fuel economy. As the rumor mill turns about that truck we’ll keep you posted.
