Ford F-350 - Ford Forums

Falchoon · 01-08-2002, 17:49

Article from Drive.com.au

Quote:

Ford gets Tonka tough with F-series
By Chris Gable
Tuesday January 8 2002

Ford has wheeled out this ultra-chunky version its F350 pickup at the Detroit motor show and has called it, appropriately enough, the Ford Mighty F350 Tonka concept.
And, sure, it's a Tonka toy truck for grown-ups and in-your-face yellow, but the thing also showcases a new powertrain and a trayload of innovations earmarked for the next F-Series � America's best-selling vehicle for 20 years running, best-selling "truck" for the past 25 years and, of course, now back in Australia.

And, yes, there's obviously a licensing tie-up with Tonka brand-owner Hasbro Inc for the right to use the name.

Sporting trademark signs galore, the main elements of the new powertrain include the 6.0-litre, 32-valve turbocharged Power Stroke Diesel Super-600 Concept diesel V8 and five-speed PowerTorq automatic. The combination is said to be a class leader in terms of low emissions and fuel economy. It also marks Ford's first foray into matching a five-speed automatic with a diesel engine.

The thing also gets Ford's Hydraulic Launch Assist (HLA) � although, officially speaking, the technology is still being researched. Once honed, Ford says the HLA system will recover energy lost during braking, storing it as hydraulic pressure that's re-used during acceleration.

Once the HLA system is up and running, Ford says, it will improve fuel economy in its big pick-ups by an estimated 25-35 percent in city driving.

In real terms, even that much improvement still makes the thing a gas guzzler. But at least it will be, um, less of a guzzler.

"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.

Other interesting stuff includes the fact that the Mighty F350 Tonka concept rides on air springs, rather than age-old rear leaf and front coil springs. The new setup brings with it a "kneeling" function for easier entry and exit and access to the loading area. Open the doors, and the pick-up drops 127mm and sprouts running boards. Shut the doors, and up she goes again.

There's a camera-operated lane departure warning system which emits 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.

Importantly, the mega pick-up also debuts Ford's version of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) headlights, which the world's number two car-maker says introduces a new ball game for advanced lighting technology. High intensity LED lights also feature prominently inside and out: in low beam and fog lamps and in all of the signal lights, including rear combination lamps, the centre high-mounted stop light, front turn indicators, and parking lights.

Ford says LED lights are smaller than conventional halogen lights and offer better performance while reducing electrical power drain and emissions. While halogen bulbs take a fraction of a second to respond to an electrical input, Ford says, LEDs respond instantly, giving valuable extra warning time for following traffic.

Because they come in smaller packages, the theory goes, LEDs offer weight savings, create new possibilities for signature lighting, and allow for more flexibility in design.

Get ready for glow-in-the-dark blue ovals.