At the aftermarket trade show extravaganza 2021 SEMA Show earlier this week, Ford Motor Co. gave a preview of the future of electrified custom vehicles with the reveal of the all-electric F-100 Eluminator concept. The all-electric demonstration truck gets part of its name from the new Ford Performance Parts Eluminator, its electric crate motor that customers can now buy online.
Based on a 1978 F-100 pickup, the F-100 Eluminator concept features electric all-wheel-drive via two motors (one per axle) similar to those in the 2021 Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition. The electric traction motors drive the front and rear wheels for a combined 480 hp (358 kW) and 634 lb·ft (860 N·m).
“Ford owners have personalized, customized, and enhanced their vehicles since the beginning – from changing looks to bringing the power,” said Eric Cin, Global Director, Vehicle Personalization, 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.”
The concept truck designed and created by Ford Performance was built in collaboration with MLe Racecars and sits on a custom chassis by the Roadster Shop. The Avalanche Gray truck has Cerakote Copper accents applied by Brand X Customs. Custom billet aluminum three-piece wheels in a definitely not vintage side of 19 x 10 in are by Forgeline and are wrapped in Michelin 275/45-19 high-performance tires. The interior features a billet aluminum dash by JJR Fabrication and avocado-tanned leather upholstery by MDM Upholstery.
Globally, the vehicle performance parts and accessories industry—for everything from hot rods to off-road vehicles, and from mobile electronics to vehicle accessories—generates about $50 billion annually, according to Ford. As the shift to electric vehicles accelerates, Ford Vehicle Personalization and Ford Performance Parts plan to add new choices like the Eluminator e-crate motor to a growing portfolio of performance parts and accessories for Ford electric vehicles.
The e-crate motor is available at authorized Ford parts warehouse dealers or online at Ford Performance Parts. Retailing at $3900, the motor is targeted for builders looking for a transverse-oriented powertrain to electrify vehicles from modern to vintage, and cars, trucks, and SUVs. The street-legal in all 50 states version weighs in at a light 205 lb (93 kg). It delivers 281 hp (210 kW) and 317 lb·ft (430 N·m) and spins to a maximum speed of 13,800 rpm. The crate engine package includes a high-voltage motor-to-traction invertor harness, a low-voltage harness connector, and a vent tube assembly.
Ford Performance plans to develop a wider Eluminator powertrain component range with some of the leading performance manufacturers—including those for battery systems, controllers, and traction inverters—to offer full turnkey aftermarket electrification solutions.
The company’s push toward electrification was emphasized with several other EVs on display at the Ford booth. Next to the F-100 Eluminator concept was the first all-electric 2022 F-150 Lightning and a production Mustang Mach-E GT Performance Edition.
Custom versions of the Mustang Mach-E figured heavily in Ford’s presence.
A Mustang Mach-E GT is being built by Jim Osborn, former pro SCCA racer and Founder of the Austin Hatcher Foundation, to help families battling pediatric cancer through occupational and diversion therapy programs. The foundation plans to run the car at the 2022 Bonneville Speed Week targeting a top speed over 200 mph (322 km/h). In 2023, the Mustang Mach-E will be auctioned off to help support the foundation’s nationwide operations. The Space White car features a custom carbon fiber front splitter and rear wing from Archetype Racing; 20-in Rotiform Wheels Alloy R-159 OZR wheels; Brembo brakes; and adjustable Motion Control suspension; and a black vinyl roof wrap by Wastegate Technologies. Inside, Ford Performance Parts GTP seats are installed with an infrared rearview dashcam and charge cord bag by DC Safety from Ford Licensed Accessories.
The Shelby name—synonymous with Ford racing and performance, especially with the legendary Shelby Mustang GT350 and GT500 classics—returns with the Shelby American Mustang Mach-E concept. It showcases the company’s graphene-infused carbon-fiber body parts to improve aerodynamics with a modified front fascia, front fenders, rear flares, and a vented hood to lower front-end lift. Chassis mods include Shelby-tuned MagneRide dampers, composite carbon fiber springs, and Michelin Pilot Sport EV tires mounted on 20-in one-piece forged wheels. Inside are custom Shelby by Recaro seats.
The Tjin Edition Mustang Mach-E California Route One was created by Neil Tjin with a distinctive California style. It has bright orange custom paint with teal green accents and custom LED headlights from LightWurkz. Solar panels on top and down the back are designed to power a custom teal green RayVolt USA electric bicycle mounted to a Thule e-bike rack. Underneath is an air suspension from Hoppo’s Suspension with Baer 6S six-piston front and rear big brake kit, plus ultra-wide Falken Ziex S/TZ05 tires mounted to custom-painted 22-in Vossen ML-R1 wheels. Inside are Recaro seats with white leather surfaces, with teal lighting and teal seatbelts by Seatbelt Planet, plus accessories from Razor. Inside the frunk, the air suspension system has a clear acrylic tank with LED lighting and cooling fans.
For the more electric-motorsports-oriented attendees at SEMA, Vaughn Gittin Jr. gave smoke-filled, tire-thrashing exhibition rides in a 1400-hp (1044-kW) electric Mustang Mach-E 1400 demo outside of the Las Vegas Convention Center. A week earlier, the professional racer and founder of RTR Vehicles, pushed the boundaries of the Mustang Mach-E 1400 at one of Earth’s most geographically exciting and remote places to launch his newest film, Free Rein: Faroe Islands.
“The fact is, electric performance is fun, and as the industry moves toward electric vehicles, motorsports, and the performance aftermarket will too,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director of Ford Performance. “Just as Ford is committed to leading the electric revolution on the product side, Ford Performance is equally committed to winning on the performance and motorsports front.”