Previews of the Ford Atlas Concept Car - 2013

Ford distorted the landscape of the pickup truck section when it launches the powerful-yet-efficient 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine in its Ford F-150 in early 2011. Now, with the unveiling of its Atlas Concept truck at the Detroit Auto Show last week, the automaker has previewed a still more fuel-efficient prospect for America's best-selling vehicle.

The Ford Atlas Concept is intended to advance gas mileage by not only refinement the automaker's EcoBoost technology, but also by focus on effectiveness outside of the engine bay. Though Ford didn't supply detailed specs, the pickup features a next-generation EcoBoost powerplant that integrate truck improved Auto Start-Stop technology for the first time. Elsewhere, the Atlas commences fuel-saving aerodynamic features like vigorous grille shutters, lively wheel shutters, a drop-down front air dam and power organization boards.

"Before the debut of the EcoBoost engine, truck buyers were tremendously unconvinced of something smaller than a V8, but now they know they can count on Ford's V6 power plants for fuel competence without give up one bit of capacity," said Jeff Klein, director of process and marketing at Claremont Ford Lincoln, a New Hampshire Ford dealer. "The Atlas Concept hints at how Ford will get better upon that fuel-efficient EcoBoost formula, and those modify will be balance by a new external that can better deceive the wind."

Beyond its mix of presentation and effectiveness, the Ford Atlas Concept showcases a number of new features that make work easier and play that much more pleasant. Ford's Tailgate Step has been improve to serve twice duty as a cargo support that can free up more space in the bed, while hidden cargo ramps can be hastily pulled out of the cargo box for simpler loading of wheeled utensils. Inside the cabin, a Dynamic Hitch help on the center display screen helps drivers support the truck's hitch with trailers, whilst a 360-degree point-of-view camera allows them to more simply steer tight spaces.

Though it will probably be a year or two before the new technologies in the Atlas Concept create their way to market, the current Ford F-150 continues to gain impetus at dealerships. Sales of the F-Series augmented by 10 percent in 2012 compared to 2011, with 645,316 units sold in the United States. The F-Series has now held its best-selling-vehicle designation for 31 successive years.