Advertisement

Ford F-150 Lightning Switchgear Concept Is An Electric On-Or-Off-Road Monster

A gif showing the Switchgear doing a jump and some fast cornering on dirt
A gif showing the Switchgear doing a jump and some fast cornering on dirt

This is not a flying truck — it’s a demonstrator vehicle engineered to showcase the potential of the electric F-150 Lightning when it gets infused with Ford and RTR’s legendary performance prowess. The F-150 Lightning Switchgear is not the first time Ford has teased us with an exceptionally cool electrified proof-of-concept car, in fact it’s not even the third, but it does seem like it’s the closest one to a potential production vehicle.

To showcase the capability and versatility of electric powertrains, Ford is producing concepts through its Ford Performance Demonstrator program, which has produced machines like the epic SuperVan 4.0 and Mustang Mach-E 1400. While those were strictly track-focused, Ford took this F-150 Lightning deeper off-road — or maximized its on-road performance depending on configuration — putting the “switch” in Switchgear.

Read more

ADVERTISEMENT
The F-150 Lightning Switchgear spec sheet. It also shows the only render of the street-spec Switchgear
The F-150 Lightning Switchgear spec sheet. It also shows the only render of the street-spec Switchgear

This on-or-off-road-ready EV features a significantly widened track that’s sprung by FOX internal bypass shocks, with custom independent double-wishbone suspension up front and multi-link independent suspension with coil-overs, a stabilizer bar and custom control arms at the rear. It has 13.5 inches of ground clearance in off-road spec and 7 inches of ground clearance in on-road trim.

Not only does this truck look good, it’s bound to be capable despite its stock F-150 Lightning powertrain that produces a healthy 580 horsepower and 775 pound-feet of torque. The F-150 Lightning Switchgear will be at King of the Hammers later this month for its first public debut, and despite its insistence of concept status, we hope Ford brings these options to market — or at least builds a road-going truck inspired by this concept.

The off-road spec Switchgear from the rear 3/4 showing the custom bodywork and tire rack in the bed
The off-road spec Switchgear from the rear 3/4 showing the custom bodywork and tire rack in the bed
The interior of the Switchgear, with race buckets and a giant handbrake lever
The interior of the Switchgear, with race buckets and a giant handbrake lever

More from Jalopnik

Sign up for Jalopnik's Newsletter. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Click here to read the full article.