Ford Equator: Ready for the Toughest Adventure
11 January 2000
Ford Equator: Ready for the Toughest Adventure DETROIT, Jan. 11 -- 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."
