Ford Eluminator gives glimpse of EV future for classic cars
Ford has given a glimpse of the future of the modified muscle car and classic car scene with its F-100 Eluminator concept truck.
Shown at the 2021 SEMA show for accessories and modified cars, the Ford F-100 Eluminator replaces petrol with electricity.
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What started as a 1978 F-100 pickup truck has been transformed using two electric motors from a Mustang Mach-E GT electric crossover.
Each motor can produce 210kW but when combined they make 358kW, the same as the Mache E GT Performance Edition.
In the Mustang Mach-E the motors propel the EV to 60mph (96km/h) in 3.5 seconds, although no word on the pace of the F-100 Eluminator.
Instead, the Eluminator is a showcase of what Ford believes is the future of modified cars.
“Ford owners have personalised, customised and enhanced their vehicles since the beginning – from changing looks to bringing the power,” said Eric Cin, global director, Vehicle Personalisation, Accessories and Licensing.
“Our F-100 Eluminator concept is a preview of how we’re supporting customers as they go all-electric and embrace zero-tailpipe emissions performance, even for our heritage vehicles.”
In unveiling the one-off concept – which uses a circular gear selector from some modern Fords and has a digital display with details such as the remaining battery charge – Ford confirmed it would start selling the Mustang Mach-E electric motors as “crate motors”.
The Ford e-crate motor has the part number “M-9000-MACH-E” and makes 210kW and 430Nm. Ford announced it will be priced from US$3900, or about $5300 in our money.
Ford says it is “targeted for builders looking for a transverse-oriented powertrain to electrify a range of vehicles from modern to vintage cars, trucks and SUVs”.
To ram home how compact the e-crate motor is, Ford even added some small under-bonnet storage in the F-100 Eluminator.
While Ford used batteries from the Mustang Mach-E, they’re not yet available for sale. But Ford says “over time, Ford Performance plans to develop a wider list of components for the Eluminator powertrain with some of the leading performance manufacturers, including battery systems, controllers and traction inverters to close the loop on full turnkey aftermarket electrification solutions”.
Crate engines are common in the modified car scene and allow enthusiasts to purchase a new engine built to factory standards and fit them to their classic car.
Crate motors are usually V8s and many are supplied by Ford and General Motors, the latter through its Chevrolet division.
In 2019 Chevrolet showed an E-10 pickup truck concept that used electric motors. It backed that up
General Motors is also planning in 2020 with the Chevrolet Blazer-E, which had an eCrate conversion that Chevrolet said it would soon offer to customers.
