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Autoworld.com - Joey Ho - The
Ford Equator concept takes "Built
Ford Tough" to a new level and is ready to take on the harshest
elements - whether it's rock climbing, white-water rafting or
snowboarding - without sacrificing comfort or functionality.
Ford's F-Series pickup provides the adventure concept with a solid, trusted
foundation. The F-150 has more than 50 years of development and product expertise behind it and has been the number-one-selling full-size pickup for
the past 22 years - as well as the number-one-selling vehicle, car or truck,
for the past 17 years. With multiple engine, drivetrain, cab style and pickup
box variations, customers can create a virtually unique truck tailored to their
work or leisure requirements.
"Equator screams adventure," says J Mays, Ford Motor Company vice
president of Design. "It can take on the most rugged outdoor challenge
while carrying its passengers in maximum comfort."
Equator maintains the height of the 128-inch wheelbase F-150, while
adopting the width of Ford's Super Duty F-350. The one-of-a-kind
structural design allows passengers more interior room, while giving the
vehicle an aggressive stance.
Functionally, Equator has an off-road-racing-inspired independent
suspension, featuring billet aluminum upper control arms, steel lower arms
with all-new geometry for maximum travel, adjustable 32-inch coils over gas-linked shocks and custom machined steering linkage.
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The bumper, fender, wheel wells and lower trim panels are made of Kevlar,
which makes them resistant to stone damage and nearly indestructible.
Billet aluminum wheels with a central tire inflation system and bead locks are
wrapped in specially cut off-road tires that are color-keyed to the Serengeti
gold body.
The bottom of the doors is cut high, and, when a door is opened, a lower
panel can be hydraulically deployed to create a step unit. In the stowed
position, the panels provide a watertight barrier for the passenger
compartment.
Inside, Equator features four leather-contoured bucket seats. The rear seats
and bulkhead fold down, creating a cargo space that is six-feet long and five
and a half feet wide.
The instrument panel addresses driver-preferred instrument location and
content through the use of "clamp-on" gauges. The gauges allow users to
select the exact components they want on the instrument panel as well as the exact position for each component. A centerline-mounted compass can
be removed for outdoor use.
Flip-up arm rests, visor-mounted GPS technology, outside temperature
monitoring instruments, overhead map lights, dual-zone climate controls,
two high-volume console-mounted storage compartments and
removable flooring provide ultimate feature content.
An overhead, console-mounted audio system ensures that all passengers
receive premium sound. The console includes a power amplifier, CD changer, dual speakers in each door, a subwoofer in the lower console and
upper-console-mounted tweeters.
"In order to maintain Ford Truck leadership in every major segment in
which we compete, we need to be constantly innovating - giving the
consumer personalized transportation that exceeds even their highest
expectations," says Mays. "The Equator is designed to do all that and
more."
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