2004 KNOXAUTOSHOW
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Tonka Concept Truck
The Tonka Truck is not yet available for purchase, but it raises the temperatures just as easily.
The Mighty F-350 Tonka concept is vibrant yellow and chrome, showcasing an advanced new power train and a fresh design approach. For more than 50 years, Tonka, which means "great" in Sioux, has been synonymous with durability and lasting play value for children around the world, according to a press release.
Now, the Mighty F-350 Tonka concept brings together the playfulness of the legendary child�s toy with the strength, reliability and value key to the Ford truck tradition.
The truck offers an open B-pillarless design with rearhinged rear doors that extend into its cabin. Dual rear wheels with 22-inch rims and custom tires and a shortened six-foot open bed are just some of its charms.
The truck also has a combined storage system, a power stroke diesel super-600 concept diesel V-8 engine and the five-speed PowerTorq transmission, marking Ford�s first marriage of five-speed automatic and a diesel engine.
The 6.0-liter, 32-valve turbocharged V-8 concept engine is rated at 350 hp and delivers up to 600 footpounds of torque when teamed with PowerTorq automatic.It is the only Tonka truck
made in the world and i'm so glad I was one of a few people to see it in person.It cost 2.5 million dollars.
Ford GT40
The Ford GT model featured will be the original prototype, says regional Ford spokesperson Christin Suave.
The car is scheduled to be available later in the year with a base price of $139,995, according to Ford media kits.
The 2005 Ford GT has been described in media kits as Ford�s Centennial Supercar, as it marks the 100th anniversary of the mass-produced Model T and therefore the 100th anniversary of Ford Motor Co.
Each Ford GT will be powered by a hand-built aluminum 5.4-liter DOHC supercharged V-8 producing 500 hp and 500 pounds-feet of torque.
That power is put to the ground through a rearmounted Ricardo six-speed manual transaxle.
The car is built around an exceptionally stiff but lightweight aluminum space frame, and the suspension is a double-wishbone design with coil-over monotube dampers. Aluminum is also used for the body panels. The brakes feature four-piston Brembo calipers that grip massive 14-inch front and 13.2-inch rear cross-drilled and vented rotors.
The performance potential of the Ford GT is part of its charm. For its January 2004 cover story, "Judgment Day!," Car & Driver magazine clocked the Ford GT�s 0-60 mph acceleration at 3.3 seconds, and it crossed a quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds at 128 mph.I'm very glad I got to see this one too.
Jeep Commander
Jeep touts the Commander as a combination of the industry�s most advanced powertrain.
It uses fuel cells to generate electricity to power two EPIC minivan electric motors that provide fulltime, four-wheel drive.
The body is designed with carbon fiber, simulating the injection-molded plastic that would be used in production. The molded-in-color plastic technology is used to compensate for the extra weight of the 2,100-pound fuel-cell powertrain. It saves up to 50 percent in body weight and 10 to 50 percent in manufacturing costs and is nearly 100 percent recyclable.
The Commander carries three-across bucket seats in the rear.
Exterior features include a retractable roof rack and a spoiler that deploys from the roof at high speeds.
Inside, a small laptop computer can dock into the center console to provide global positioning system data, Internet access, phone e-mail and vehicle diagnostic information.
A tiny camera is located in the instrument panel to photograph a thief and electronically send the picture to authorities.
Chevy SSR
Chevy�s SSR is described as part roadster, part pickup and "pure joyride."
It transforms from a fully enclosed roadster to a convertible in less than 30 seconds.
Enhancing its sporty look are a 300-hp Vortec 5,300 aluminum small block V-8, a power retractable hardtop, cast-aluminum 19-inch front and 20-inch rear wheels and ZQ8 sport suspension with a rear five-link design.
