2008 Ford Sport Trac

Inspired by 2005 concept
Ford stayed true to their word and will release the Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin at the upcoming SEMA show in Las Vegas. Back in 2005 they said in a press release: “Sport Trac Adrenalin will rush into an all-new niche in 2007”. The Ford Sport Trac Adrenalin is a mix of the Explorer Sport Trac and the F-150 Lightning and the all-new niche is the sport truck segment.
“The goal was to keep the overall design intact, right down to the wheels,” said Ford designer Melvin Betancourt. Most of the concepts styling cues made it to the production vehicle, including the 10-spoke aluminium wheels.
“The new Sport Trac Adrenalin is designed to appeal to the urban adventurer,” said Ryan Mitton, Sport Trac marketing manager. The new front and rear fascia's sit 3.5 inches lower than on a standard truck and every exterior panel has been redesigned or styled to resemble the Explorer Sport Trac aftermarket look. The Sport Trac Adrenalin looks lower although the pick-up hasn't actually been lowered, leaving the truck functionality mostly untouched. The front is finished with Mustang fog-lights under the 'sinister' grille while the back features a dual-tipped exhaust.
Ford has forgotten to mention which engine will be under the bonnet. The 2005 concept was powered by a 390hp V8 while the 2008 F-150 Harley edition comes with a 450hp 5.4 liter V8. Hopefully Ford will let us know at SEMA how fast the USD30,495 Adrenaline will go. It will go on sale in January 2008.
Detailed content:
FORD ADDS ‘ADRENALIN’ TO SPORT TRAC FOR 2008
• 2008 Sport Trac Adrenalin adds street style to its combination of functionality and utility.
• Exterior design is inspired by the Sport Trac Adrenalin concept from 2005, right down to the 10-spoke, polished aluminum wheels.
• An all-wheel-drive system, a first on Sport Trac, provides all-weather confidence with sport sedan-like handling characteristics.
The Ford Sport Trac’s urban alter ego debuts at this year’s Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, proving that Ford can deliver aftermarket attitude straight from the factory.
The 2008 Sport Trac Adrenalin is a sport utility truck that combines the utility and functionality of a pickup with a bold new attitude and genuine sense of street style.
“The new Sport Trac Adrenalin is designed to appeal to the urban adventurer,” said Ryan Mitton, Sport Trac marketing manager. “It still offers up the functionality and capability that Sport Trac is known for, while boosting the style factor.”
The sleek boulevard-cruiser’s design was inspired by the Sport Trac Adrenalin concept that appeared at the 2005 New York Auto Show. Ford designer Melvin Betancourt was challenged to transfer the Adrenalin concept’s bold, more low-slung design to the production Sport Trac.
“The goal was to keep the overall design intact, right down to the wheels,” said Betancourt. “We had to make some minor adjustments as we went through the production process, but overall it’s been altered very little from the original concept.”
Adrenalin retains the Sport Trac’s distinctive profile, blending SUV and pickup, but the similarities end there. Every exterior panel from the beltline down has been redesigned or styled to deliver the Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin’s cool, aftermarket look.
New front and rear fascias sit 3.5-inches lower than the units on the standard truck. Full running boards are seamlessly integrated into the body design and function to visually tie the front and rear of the truck together. The rubber step pads provide traction and add a striking graphic stripe that accents the lower portion of the truck.
“The new body panels give the Sport Trac the appearance of being lower – without actually lowering the vehicle,” said Betancourt. “You get a street cruiser look without compromising any of the functionality or capability.”
The front fascia mounts circular fog lamps in matte black binnacles, bringing in a touch of Mustang performance DNA to the Adrenalin. The prominent gloss black grille features a unique crosshatch pattern with the Ford oval badge mounted front and center.
“Graphically, the new grille gives you a bigger opening that adds to Adrenalin’s sinister look,” added Betancourt. “The crosshatch insert serves to visually set it apart from other Sport Tracs, giving the Adrenalin its own personality.”
Smooth side surfaces are the result of new front and rear fenders that lose their wheel lip moldings. Functional front fender vents, exclusive to the Adrenalin, add visual interest to the vehicle’s profile. Adrenalin also motors without roof racks.
The rear fascia features a cutout for the dual-tipped exhaust. The design is finished with body-colored mirror caps and a new tailgate with a distinctive Adrenalin badge spanning the surface of the gate in individual letters.
The interior delivers monochromatic richness. The Charcoal Black environment is accented by a stone gray headliner and features custom floor mats that are embroidered with the Adrenalin logo. Adrenalin offers the choice of cloth upholstered or premium leather-trimmed seats.
Adrenalin looks hot, bathed in special Colorado Red paint. Colorado Red, a true red without metal flake, is new to the Sport Trac lineup and will be launched with the Adrenalin. Additional color choices are White Suede, Black and Silver Birch Metallic.
The 10-spoke, 20-inch wheels are the same units found on the Sport Trac Adrenalin concept. The polished aluminum wheels are shod with P255/50R20 Pirelli rubber.
Along with the standard 4x2 drivetrain, Sport Trac Adrenalin offers an all-wheel-drive system that’s more suitable for a street cruiser. In addition to providing sure-footedness on slick surfaces, Adrenalin’s AWD system offers a performance advantage as well. The system seamlessly transfers torque from the rear wheels to the front wheels as required to provide confident handling, reducing wheel spin and improving cornering.
Adrenalin will be in dealer showrooms in early January. Base Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Pricing (MSRP) for Sport Trac Adrenalin begins at $30,495 (including $720 for destination and delivery charges).
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