Gadgetory

what's up guys this is antuan goodwin with cnet com we're on the floor the 2013 detroit auto show and we're taking a look at the ford atlas now that's a very strong name for a very strong truck this is a early preview of what should we should expect from the next generation ford f theories of pickup trucks now the Atlas is powered by a next generation version of Ford EcoBoost engine there's not much detail known beyond that we pretty much know is that it's going to use direct injection and turbocharging it's also going to use an auto stop/start system to help it save fuel when you're idling at a light but that's the only part of the fuel saving technology at work here it actually uses a lot of interesting active shutter technology their shutters in the wheels that slam shut when you're at rolling speed so that you get less turbulence from those spinning spokes and reduce the wind resistance and drag that you pick up when you're rolling their active shutters in the front grille that flem shut to reduce a little bit of cooling but you get a lot more of a flick profile when you're traveling through the wind and there's also a drop down lower air dam that slides down from the front bumper reducing the amount of air that flows underneath the car again less wind resistance Ford's also working on a lot of driver aid features for the next generation f-series driver including a trailer assist that helps you reversed when you got a trailer on you a hitch activist if that helps you line up the trailer hitch the first time every time when you're trying to actually attach the trailer to the truck and a 360 a bird's-eye view camera that lets you see all of the ground around the vehicle this is similar to what we've seen in infiniti vehicles previously you've also got retractable side steps that slip up in and under the vehicle when you're rolling so they're not contributing the drag also pretty much all of the exterior features this vehicle or tailor made towards making this big hunk of metal as slick as possible when traveling through the air at high speeds the outlets also uses LED lights all around for the headlights the taillights there are even some LED spotlights in the side mirrors inside the cabin we have a very concept car interior with big blocky features and a lot of exposed metal but the basics of the ford sync with apple inc system the ford my key system the Wi-Fi enabled dashboard integration all of that probably going to be in place for the next generation of the vehicle well I'm antuan goodwin with cnet com we've been on the floor taking a look at the ford atlas pickup truck concepts