Atlas Concept Signals Future of Ford Pickup Trucks

Ford Motor Co. says the Atlas concept it unveiled this week at the Detroit auto show highlights features likely to appear in future F-Series fullsize pickup trucks.

The concept is equipped with such speed-sensitive active aerodynamic features as grille shutters, wheel shutters, retracting running boards and a drop-down front air dam. Ford estimates the devices collectively boost highway fuel economy more than 2 mpg.

Operational enhancements include a 360 bird's-eye view camera system, LED lighting for the cargo box and area immediately surrounding the truck, video-based hitch assist and a trailer backup aid. The tailgate can be used to cradle long cargo items above the truck bed, thus freeing up more storage in the bed itself.

The Atlas also is equipped with 110-volt electrical outlets in the cargo box for charging power tools, plus onboard ramps that can be deployed when loading such wheeled items as motorcycles or all-terrain vehicles.

The concept is equipped with an unspecified EcoBoost powertrain that includes an engine stop-start system that has been optimized for trucks. Among other things, the technology suspends operation when it detects that the truck is towing a load.