Press Release
Exterior / Interior
The Sport Trac Adrenalin clearly illustrates the Ford Special Vehicle Team's evolving design philosophy, renowned for clean lines and powerful profiles.
"The idea was to give the Adrenalin an aggressive street-truck appearance, yet still maintain a clean, simple design theme," explains Doug Gaffka, chief designer, SVT. "We wanted something menacing and bold, but not cartoonish and cluttered with over-the-top features that distract the eye. The 2003 SVT Mustang Cobra is a perfect example: It's a blatantly aggressive design, but still clean and purposeful without any unnecessary detailing.
"Adrenalin incorporates signature SVT cues, like round foglamps in the lower fascia, five-spoke wheels and dominant, dual exhaust pipes. Yet these details are modified and updated on the Adrenalin – such as the split-five-spoke wheels – exploring the future evolution of SVT design."
Adrenalin boost advances recent Ford performance concepts
These updated, modernized SVT design cues were first introduced on the SVT F-150 Lightning concept, which debuted at the 2003 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS). These details were further modified for the Explorer Sport Trac concept, introduced at the 2005 NAIAS.
To complement the increased performance of the next-generation Explorer Sport Trac – and to provide a visual hint of the SVT version to follow – designers incorporated some traditional SVT design cues like a lowered stance and larger wheels and tires into the Explorer Sport Trac concept.
"We really wanted to draw attention to the performance potential of the Explorer Sport Trac," says Chelsia Lau, Explorer Sport Trac chief designer. "So, we turned to SVT for performance-inspired design cues. The result is a truck that's bold, aggressive and speaks loudly."
The next logical step was to create a full-blown SVT version.
"Evolving the design into the Sport Trac Adrenalin was a natural progression," says Gaffka. "Adrenalin further explores the high-performance possibilities of the Explorer Sport Trac concept, and the design vocabulary of the SVT brand."
Black chrome grilles and functional air extractors establish the new face of SVT
The Sport Trac Adrenalin's bold, aggressive attitude is immediately established by the large upper and lower fascia openings, filled with diamond-mesh grilles finished in black chrome. For visual continuity, the front bumper section bisecting the grilles is also finished in black chrome. The blacked-out fascia details provide a striking contrast with the "SVT Red" paint.
The large fascia openings also serve a functional role, providing ample airflow to the supercharged V-8 and water-to-air intercooler lurking behind the fascia. Similarly, functional air extractors integrated into the leading edge of the powerdome hood serve dual purposes: Functionally, they provide additional airflow for improved temperature management; visually, they provide a cue of the impressive horsepower under the Adrenalin's hood.
The lower fascia features SVT's hallmark round foglights modified into a pair of twin, projector-beam elements. Both the foglight and headlight surrounds are blacked out, complementing the black-chrome trim.
Profile defined by bold wheel arches, 21-inch wheels and tires
According to Gaffka, the profile of the Sport Trac Adrenalin embodies the bold, clean design mission of Ford SVT: "The profile of the Adrenalin instantly communicates performance, without any silly, tacky graphics or huge wings. It sits low, with an aggressive stance and muscular wheel arches anchored by 21-inch wheels."
The Sport Trac Adrenalin is nearly five inches longer, two inches wider and sits two inches lower than today's Explorer Sport Trac model, giving it an aggressive stance and a more purposeful look. The smooth, taut body panels are accented by pronounced blisters over the wheel arches, and functional side air extractors located just in front of the A-pillars.
The 21-inch, polished-aluminum wheels with SVT center caps showcase the red-painted monoblock brake calipers and cross-drilled discs. The wheels are visually connected by the integrated, body-colored rocker panels. In a nod to hot-rod street trucks, designers shaved the door handles to further emphasize the clean, uncluttered design.
Monochromatic, composite bed with lockable storage trunks for added utility
Meanwhile, the monochromatic cargo bed is neatly integrated into the body. The bed rails are raised compared to that of the current Explorer Sport Trac, contributing to the 30-percent increase in cargo room. The taller bed also provides visual weight, balancing that of the front end.
The monochromatic composite bed, an Explorer Sport Trac exclusive, also features lockable storage trunks between the cab and wheel wells. These compartments offer supplemental secure storage for valuables that won't fit in the cabin, such as tool bags or a racing suit needed for track days. For trips to the hardware store, the box features crafted-in sockets that allow the user to drop in 2-by-4 boards to make an elevated cargo surface capable of carrying 4-by-8-foot sheets of plywood. Finally, a tubular bed extender flips out, creating a secure, six-foot-long cargo area.
Dual exhausts punctuate Sport Trac Adrenalin's rear view
The Adrenalin forgoes the Lightning's side exhaust pipes for the rear-exiting twin exhausts. The large, rectangular pipes punctuate the monochromatic flush-fit roll pan, bracketing the license-plate frame. Similarly, the modern, dramatic taillamps frame the tailgate, which features a discreet spoiler integrated on the uppermost edge.
The Sport Trac Adrenalin features an interior carefully designed to satisfy the needs of driving enthusiasts. There are no frivolous niceties or adornments – only purposeful, substantive improvements that enhance the driving experience.
"SVT caters to a group of enthusiasts who strongly believe woodgrain trim has no place in a performance car," says Doug Gaffka, Chief Designer, SVT. "They want an attractive, comfortable interior that adds to – rather than detracts from – their time behind the wheel."
As such, Adrenalin features SVT's trademark easy-to read, white-faced gauges. Redundant climate and audio controls on the steering wheel and a console-mounted shifter place key driver controls within easy reach. The four bolstered captain's chairs are designed to hold the driver and passengers in place during enthusiastic cornering, and are comfortable during long hauls. Red-on-black leather seats add visual interest to the interior, while the first navigation system in an SVT-engineered vehicle helps drivers seek out the long way home.
Four full-size doors allow easy access to four, bolstered bucket seats
The Sport Trac Adrenalin is a four-door, four-passenger performance truck. For the best power-to-weight ratio, the SVT F-150 Lightning pickup has always been a two-door, regular cab F-150 variant. The standard split-bench seat only comfortably sat two people, prompting a common request from Lightning owners for additional seating capacity, but only if it didn't affect performance or handling.
The Adrenalin offers just such a solution. Four full-size doors open wide for easy access to a matching set of four captain's chairs. Both front and rear seats offer ample legroom (42 inches in front, 36 inches for rear) and comfortable hip room (55 inches front and back).
Anyone who has ridden shotgun during a track-day outing knows how essential supportive seats are, especially for passengers. All four of the Sport Trac Adrenalin seats are designed with that in mind, with thigh and side bolsters to help keep the occupant's body planted during hard cornering. Yet, the seats also are designed to be supportive and comfortable, resulting in less driver and passenger fatigue during longer stints on the road.
Drivers in control with easy-to-read gauges and controls
The interior of the Sport Trac Adrenalin holds true to Ford SVT's purposeful, driver-oriented focus.
For example, the primary gauges feature easy-to-read white faces, an SVT trademark. The speedometer is prominently displayed next to the tachometer, providing vital information to the driver. Redundant audio and climate controls on the steering wheel help keep the driver's hands on the wheel. The six-speed automatic transmission is controlled by a short, leather-wrapped shifter mounted on the center console.
"The driving environment is a critical part of the design function for any vehicle," says Gaffka. "Adrenalin's interior offers special touches that are designed to be pleasing both to the eye and the touch."
Tasteful touches include black and red leather trim and navigation system
The Sport Trac Adrenalin also benefits from upscale details.
Like the 2003 10th Anniversary SVT Mustang Cobra, Adrenalin features black leather seating surfaces with contrasting red leather seat inserts and interior door trim panels. Aluminum-finished trim on the air registers, instrument panels and shifter also contribute to the upscale atmosphere.
Finally, the strong center stack features a navigation system – the first in an SVT-engineered vehicle - to help chart the path back from adventures down twisting back roads.
Adrenalin's interior isn't all refinement: There's just enough insulation to block out unwanted road noise while still allowing the bark of the exhaust and whine of the supercharged V-8 to tantalize enthusiasts' ears. The result is an interior that enhances the driving experience, reduces driver and passenger fatigue, and encourages the driver to find any excuse to go for another drive.
Environment
Creating a powerful engine means designing it to be as efficient as possible, making the most of the fuel and air that makes it run. The benefits are not only seen in overall power, but in reduced emissions and improved fuel economy as well.
"Typical hot-rodding techniques involve improving an engine's efficiency to extract more power from every ounce of fuel that is burned," notes Tom Jones, SVT chief program engineer. "It's an unexpected benefit automakers get from racing – the tricks to winning on the racetrack can help make cleaner, more fuel-efficient vehicles for the street."
For example, the Sport Trac Adrenalin's 4.6-liter V-8 uses Ford's proven four-valve, double-overhead-cam cylinder heads for optimum engine "breathing." Using multiple valves per cylinder provides the engine with a more efficient airflow, generating higher peak horsepower. As an additional benefit, multi-valve engines better utilize the air-and-fuel mixture in the cylinders with less waste and unburned fuel vapor. Also, multi-valve engines are better suited to help scavenge exhaust gases out of the cylinder after combustion is complete for more power with cleaner tailpipe emissions.
In addition, supercharging the 4.6-liter V-8 produces the peak horsepower of a much larger-displacement, naturally aspirated engine. Yet, at lower throttle applications, the smaller displacement engine consumes less fuel, resulting in increased fuel economy and lower emissions.
