Official press release:

FORD TRITON: INNOVATION MEETS 'FORD TOUGH'

Ford's full-size Triton concept pickup truck is living proof that contemporary aerodynamic design can be combined with a rugged, all-new chassis to produce an exciting new vehicle in the "Built Ford Tough” tradition.

"Triton is designed to please traditional pickup truck buyers as well as new buyers entering the segment,” said Gary Haas, design director of Ford’s Light Truck Vehicle Center. "There are many styling cues and functional options on Triton that you’re likely to see in Ford’s pickup trucks of the future."

In addition to exterior styling, Triton makes effective use of new body materials, innovative lighting, safety features and advanced powertrains.

For example, Triton is powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 engine with chain-driven overhead camshafts - one of a new family of truck engines. The engine puts out more horsepower and torque than the present 5.0-liter F-Series V-8, and is more fuel efficient. To manage this most technologically advanced power plant, Triton’s engineers added an EEC-V engine control.

The Triton is longer, wider and taller than today’s Ford F-150 pickup, and has a longer wheelbase, which provides improved handling, ride, and passenger capacity and better trailer towing capability.

Triton’s rugged 4x4 stance is enhanced by four B.F. Goodrich LT285/60R18 tires mounted on 18-inch Ford wheels. Each tire has a special Triton insignia carved into the tread. Wheel styling gives a glimpse of disc brakes at every corner, controlled by a four-wheel anti-lock brake system. Front chrome tow hooks and a larger rear chrome ball hitch and dual exhaust pipes complete the picture.

Triton’s vibrant red exterior is complemented by an innovative application of carbon fiber reinforced plastic composite - a strong, lightweight material used in race car and military aircraft bodies. The carbon fiber, which appears naturally in its charcoal-gray color, was used to fabricate the aerodynamic tonneau cover on the truck’s eight-foot load box.

The cover has three hatches, two gull-wing style in the front and a third that opens up to the rear at the tailgate, to provide better access to cargo. Carbon fiber also accents the grille, hood scoop and taillight rims.

The vehicle’s lighting system also includes state-of-the art technology, including high-intensity "cold bulbs" developed by Sylvania and Ford, in the headlamps and taillamps. Ford engineers incorporated gas-discharge bulbs to light the high-mount stop light, backup lamps, cargo lights and front turn indicators. As a convenience, Triton has an illuminated step pad as well,

A luxurious interior, complete with black leather-trimmed seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel, both accented with red, awaits the driver of the future. The cab features a sharp increase in head room, leg room and behind-the-seat storage, courtesy of Ford designers, who stretched the backlight and rear wall of the cab by six inches over today’s F-150. To improve on occupant safety, Ford has included a driver- and passenger-side air bag to supplement the safety belts, steel side-door intrusion beams and cross-cab steel beams for improved structure.

"Our team was delighted to have an opportunity to suggest new directions for what has been the best-selling truck in the United States for 18 years running," Haas said. "The voice of our customer is coming through loud and clear: Don’t mess with success. Retain the tough and rugged attributes that the F-Series is known for. We believe Triton shows how that mission could be accomplished."