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DETROIT, Jan. 6, 2002 - It's bold. It's strong. It's a hint of what's
to come for the next generation Ford F-Series pickup - America's
best-selling vehicle for 20 years running and best-selling truck
for the past 25 years.
It's the Ford Mighty F-350 Tonka concept, a vibrant yellow truck
that pairs a distinctive design with innovative technologies worthy
of the Built Ford Tough badge.
"Ford
has long been and will continue to be the leading truck brand -
not just in sales figures, but in ingenious ideas, bold design and
customer satisfaction," says James Padilla, group vice president,
Ford North America, who helped pull the wraps off the new concept
at the 2002 North American International Auto Show. "With the
Mighty F-350 TONKA, we've created a truck that's worthy of the 'Built
Ford Tough' badge. It's as spirited as it is rugged, a blend you're
likely to see on Ford trucks down the road."
FUN YOU NEVER OUTGROW
The
Mighty F-350 TONKA concept celebrates the spirit of the trucks that,
for many, first sparked an appreciation for ruggedness and resilience
in a vehicle.
For
more than 50 years, TONKA®
- which means "great" in Sioux - has been synonymous with
durability and lasting play value for children around the world.
Now, the Mighty F-350 TONKA concept brings together the playfulness
of the legendaryis child's toy - with the strength, reliability
and value key to the Ford truck tradition of leadership.
"We've
had fun bringing to life a full-size pickup that reminds kids of
all ages of the trucks they used to loved to punish in their sandboxes,"
says J Mays, vice president, Design, Ford Motor Companypany vice
president, Design.
"This
truck is unmistakably a Ford and signals the direction we will take
Tough Truck design in the future," he says.
RUGGED
AND CLEAN
The Mighty
F-350 TONKA concept draws strength from its Ford Tough Truck lineage,
accentuating instantly recognizable F-Series hallmarks. Its confidentconfident
stance, drop-down beltline, round wheel openings and oversize grille
with side nostrils complement the personality of the Ford F-350
Super Duty pickup. Clean, sheer surfaces with distinctive geometric
forms and strong lines introduce a modernized, highly structured
look, emphasizing the an overall sense of power.
An
open, B-pillarless design with rear-hinged rear doors extends an
uninhibited welcome into the Mighty F-350's extended cabin. Dual
rear wheels with 22-inch rims and custom Goodyear tires and a shortened,
six-foot open bed give the Mighty F-350 a refined ruggedness designed
with the truck enthusiast in mind. Chrome is featured generously,
creating a striking profile on this concept derived from the popular
F-350 Super Duty Crew Cab.
TOUGH
LUXURY
Like a
high-quality tool, the Mighty F-350 TONKA concept truck's interior
is designed to be functional and sophisticated - to , placeing the
driver in full command. Modular, customizable snap-on gauges and
oversize, aircraft-inspired toggle switches deliver versatility
and durability. A manual Torquemaster controller allows the driver
to shift torque left or right, front or back.
The
Commander's Seat, built on a full-floating suspension, is inspired
by the seats used in heavy-duty, long-distance Class 8 rigs. It
is completely adjustable and introduces a new level of total comfort
for pickup trucks.
A
combined storage system and "smart box jump seat" positioned
between the center stack console and the front passenger seat allow
ample room for a sixth passenger. Folding rear seats maximize usable
space in the cabin and house removable "tool box" luggage.
Rear head restraints fold up into the ceiling, allowing a clear
view of the road.
CLEANER,
MORE EFFICIENT POWER
The
Mighty F-350 TONKA introduces a unique combination of technologies
that deliver a cleaner, more efficient ride. The vehicle's Power
Stroke® Diesel Super-600 cConcept diesel V-8 engine is teamed
with the five-speed PowerTorq transmission, marking in Ford's
first application of a five-speed automatic with a diesel engine.
The 6.0-liter, 32-valve, turbocharged V-8 concept engine concept
is rated at 350 horsepower and delivers up to 600 foot-pounds of
torque when teamed with the PowerTorq automatic.
With
lower emissions and better fuel economy than any V-8 diesel truck
engine on the road today, this concept powertrain also features
Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA).
The
HLA system, currently under research, is designed to improve fuel
economy in large trucks by an estimated 25 to 35 percent in city
driving. It A reversible pump/motor attached to the driveshaft through
a clutch system and an energy storage module work in tandem with
the traditional powertrain. The HLA system recovers energy normally
lost during vehicle deceleration, stores it in the form of hydraulic
pressure and then reuses it during acceleration.
"We're
committed to pushing the envelope and exploring ways to provide
our customers with leading-edge powertrain technologies that are
fully capable and socially responsible," says Richard Parry-Jones,
Ford Motor Company group vice president, Global Product Development,
and Chief Technical Officer, Ford Motor Companyand Chief Technical
Officer. "Our commitment to innovation doesn't end with the
gearbox or the powertrainengine."
BRIGHT
IDEAS
The
Mighty F-350 TONKA concept truck features several technologies designed
to deliver value and convenience.
The
truck's vehicle's air suspension - with sophisticated air springs
replacing the conventional rear leaf and front coil springs - enables
a "kneeling" function to ease entry and exit and assists
in loading the truck bed. As the doors are opened, the Mighty F-350
lowers five inches and the running boards deploy. The truck reverts
to its raised position once the doors are closed.
A
camera-operated lane departure warning system helps keep the driver
alert by emitting a soft audible sound signal if the vehicle unintentionally
drifts outside of the lane. Additional cameras mounted within the
bed help the driver monitor truck-to-trailer coupling, as well as
reversing.
The
Mighty F-350 TONKA concept also marks the debut of Light Emitting
Diodes (LEDs) in headlamp application, introducing new opportunities
for advanced lighting technology. High intensity LED lights are
featured prominently throughout the vehicle's interior and exterior:
in low beam and fog lamps and in all of the signal lights, including
rear combination lamps, the center high-mounted stop light, front
turn signals, and marker lights.
This
advanced lighting technology can deliver better distributedbetter-distributed
illumination on the road than conventional halogen lights, as well
as providing a means to reduce electrical power and emissions. While
halogen bulbs take a fraction of a second to respond to an electrical
input, LEDs respond instantly, giving valuable extra warning time
for following traffic.
LEDs
also are very efficient, using up to 50 percent less electricity
than halogen lights. With thinner packaging than conventional lights,
LEDs offer weight savings, create new possibilities for signature
lighting, and allow for more flexibility in design.
TONKA is a registered trademark of Hasbro, Inc. Hasbro
(NYSE:HAS) is a worldwide leader in children's and family leisure
time entertainment products and services, including the design,
manufacture and marketing of games and toys ranging from traditional
to high-tech. Both internationally and in the U.S., its PLAYSKOOL,
TONKA, MILTON BRADLEY, PARKER BROTHERS, TIGER, and WIZARDS OF THE
COAST brands and products provide the highest quality and most recognizable
play experiences in the world.
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