Concept trucks are rolling showcases meant to show us what the future might hold. Here are the most iconic and memorable "Trucks of the Future" in recent history.
1. Ford Atlas
Introduced at the Detroit Auto Show in 2013, the Ford Atlas was a concept meant to preview what the automaker had in mind for the truck's 2015 redesign. The Atlas was also a test bed for improvements in fuel economy and potential technology advancements. Unlike a lot of concepts, a lot of the design cues did indeed carry over to the production model. The fancier tech, like active grill shutters and front air dam, did not. Regardless, the revolutionary Atlas concept was truly one of the most successful in recent history and received universal praise upon its arrival.
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2. F-350 Tonka Truck
In 2002, Ford built a truck both to satisfy the inner child in all of us and to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Tonka - the F-350 Tonka Truck concept. Some of the truck's chiseled looks carried over to the 2008 F-350, but production models certainly weren't as aggressive in design. There was plenty of concept truck cool packed into this big yellow rig, however. Hydraulic Launch Assist converted energy from braking into hydraulic pressure used to aid acceleration, and the driver's seat has a full floating suspension like large commercial trucks, and the suspension automatically raises up 5 inches after the door is closed.
>>Join the conversation about Ford concept cars past and present right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
3. Ford Super Chief
One of the coolest looking concept trucks of all time, the Ford Super Chief took certain styling cues from the legendary Super Chief locomotives. The truck bowed to the public at the 2006 North American International Auto Show, and was clearly ahead of its time. Many styling cues carried over to the 2009 production model F-150, but the concept truck's supercharged V-10 (which could run on gas, hydrogen, or E85 fuel), sadly did not.
>>Join the conversation about Ford concept cars past and present right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
4. Ford Equator
The Ford Equator was designed as a Hummer H2 SUT sort of concept, with a wheelbase that was close to the F-150's in length but a width closer to the Super Duty. It was an interesting idea but with clunky styling and utility that was quite questionable. If you squint hard enough, you can see some styling cues that carried over to the F-Series production models, but this failed exercise was auctioned off to raise money to benefit Hurricane Katrina victims.
>>Join the conversation about Ford concept cars past and present right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
5. Ford Ranger II
Introduced in 1966, the Ford Ranger II concept was as wild and crazy as any proper 60's custom. Featuring a futuristic design and a massive windshield (and headlights) that wrapped around the side of the truck, passengers entered the Ranger II via lift up, scissor style doors. A two seater in standard configuration, the Ranger II was capable of converting to a four passenger vehicle by flipping a switch. The back of the cab moved into the bed, where two additional seats fell into place.
>>Join the conversation about Ford concept cars past and present right here in Ford-Trucks.com.
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