Ford Equator: Ready for the toughest adventure

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. 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."

SOURCE: Ford