Powered by Ford's venerable 6.8L Triton V-10 engine, Powerforce stays true to its big intent, using a fullsize 8-foot bed, huge 19-inch-diameter wheels, and 35-inch-tall tires. Check the photo and you'll start to get a better idea of the Powerforce's mass. Ford even equipped the Powerforce with electrically deployed running boards - the better to step up into its high-riding, leather-accented cab.
Powerforce styling is aggressive, to say the least. Bull bar bumpers and heavy-duty tow hooks on the front end make a no-nonsense statement about the truck's intent, while a power lift system for the tailgate makes loading and unloading cargo a snap, since the tailgate drops to ground level, similar to some kind of full-on delivery rig. Front lighting is trick; High Intensity Discharge, projector-beam lights are powerful as well as stylish, and Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are used for the front and rear turn signals.
As usually noted when it comes to concept trucks, it's unlikely you will see a Powerforce at a Ford dealer anytime soon, but it's very likely you'll see future Ford trucks that make use of the concepts, styling, and engineering showcased on the Powerforce.
The Best-Looking Aztec We've Ever Seen
Let's be honest. Pontiac's much-lamented Aztec SUV has the kind of look that only its mother would love. That's why we were so surprised to see what MBRP had done with a SEMA Show-bound Aztec. Martin Barkey, president of performance exhaust system-maker MBRP, told us, "Our intention was to make the Aztec a universal ATV hauler, a personal watercraft or bicycle mover that can go to the desert, beach, or mountains in comfort and style."
To achieve that goal, the '02 Aztec was fully accessorized with Interco Super Swamper SSR tires (32x11.50R17!), MHT Plaque wheels (17x8), and a custom-built, 12-inch (!) suspension lift. Other goodies include an Advanced Flow Engineering air filter, an Audiobahn audio/video system installed by Progressive Car Audio, an Optima battery, and auxiliary lighting from KC HiLiTES. The tubular front bar, side steps, roof rack, and rear bumper were designed and built by Sport Tubes, and the Aztec exhales through a custom stainless steel dual after-cat exhaust built by - surprise - MBRP. With the mechanical mods complete, Bracebridge Boatworks shaved the Aztec's barbs and squirted on a bold orange-over-white color scheme. Gotta admit: It looks pretty good.
While the jury's still out on the Aztec's place in automotive history, MBRP's slick little off-roader just goes to show that a functional and stylish off-road machine can be crafted using almost any vehicle as a starting point - even an Aztec.