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Ford Motor Company celebrated in January the 65th anniversary of its Ford F-series pickup trucks. In part, it did so by unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show its future vision of the F-150 in the form of a concept vehicle named the Atlas.

"The Ford Atlas Concept previews the innovations that will transform what people expect from their pickup," Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development said in a Ford press release.

The Atlas Concept is powered by a next-generation EcoBoost power train with six-speed SelectShift and auto start-stop shutoff technology. Auto start-stop shuts off the engine when stopped in traffic to save fuel. But this feature is automatically disengaged when the truck is towing a load. EcoBoost engines use direct injection and turbocharging for fuel-economy gains of up to 20 percent, Ford says.

The Atlas Concept saves more than two miles per gallon at highway speeds by way of several aerodynamic innovations. These include:

-- Active Grille Shutters close while cruising at steady highway speeds.

-- Active Wheel Shutters close at highway speeds to improve

aerodynamics and save fuel.

-- A Drop-Down Air Dam lowers at highway speeds to improve underbody airflow. The air dam is raised at low speeds and low-speeds to improve ground clearance.

-- Power Running Boards tuck up against the truck when it is moving.

There are other features of note.

-- The cargo bed includes 110-volt outlets to power and recharge tools.

-- The tailgate includes an integrated cargo cradle that lifts and holds extra-long cargo items above the truck bed. With a roof carrier set into the cab roof, the cargo box remains available for other supplies.

-- A Dynamic Hitch Assist system allows drivers to align the hitch and trailer coupling with visual cues displayed on the truck's center display screen.

-- The Atlas has LED headlamps and tail lamps, an LED-lighted cargo box and side mirror lights.

-- Loading ramps are stowed below the cargo box.

• 360-degree camera helps steer truck in tight spots.

-- Tailgate assist helps close the gate, while tailgate dampers slow the fold-down.

Ford has not said when its new F-150 will hit the market. Auto industry observers speculate it will not be before 2015.

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