Citation

Johnson FW. Int. J. Veh. Des. 1984; 5(3): 317-335.

Affiliation

Ford Motor Company Europe

Copyright

(Copyright © 1984, Inderscience Publishers)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

An advanced design concept for the truck of the future offering a potential 20 per cent saving in fuel consumption has been developed by Ford's Advanced Truck Engineering and Design team. Highly sophisticated aerodynamics, low weight and improved engine efficiency have been coupled with innovative safety features to produce Concept Cargo, a vehicle indicating possible ways forward to the 1990s. In all, Concept Cargo is fitted with twenty new features to improve operating efficiency and reduce fuel consumption. Concept Cargo is readily recognizable by its aerodynamically designed body, but it has many advanced mechanical features including front and rear disc brakes, lightweight composite springs and propshaft and low profile, radial ply tires for improved handling and road holding with much emphasis, as in the production Cargo, being placed on the driver environment and safety. Side and rear under-run protection and anti-spray wheel-arches are Concept Cargo features which offer potential benefits to all road users.