National Nitwit

(Detroit, MI) Ford Motor Co. today unveiled a concept "super-SUV" inspired by military vehicles such as the M1A1 Abrams tank.

Tentatively called the "Maximo," the ultra-large truck features a V-12 7.05 liter (406 horsepower) engine, and the Leviathanic vehicle is so wide that it occupies most of two standard highway lanes.

“Maximo brings proven Ford engineering, quality and durability to an intensely competitive market,” said Carl Spaulding, Ford executive vice president. “The all-new Maximo is a historical launch for Ford , because we are significantly increasing our production potential and presence in the behemoth-size pickup truck category.”

In all, a total of 31 model configurations are available, with customers having the option of rear- or four-wheel drive. The 2008 Maximo has a maximum towing capacity of 20,800 pounds. Spaulding said that the truck will appeal to several target demographics.

"Let's face it - there's always one guy in a crowd who has to have the biggest, most expensive toy available," he said. "And then you have your - let's see, how should I put this - phallically-challenged bunch, who feel a need to overcompensate in other areas of their lives."

Ford is banking on the hope that the Maximo will attract supermodels like no other SUV

Equipped with a 66.4-gallon fuel tank, Maximo models equipped with the V-12 engine have an EPA fuel economy rating of 6 mpg city/7 mpg highway. The super-SUV has 44.8 inches of additional overall length, delivering 330.8 cubic feet of cargo space – including 114 cubic feet more behind the third-row seat than the already spacious Ford Expedition.

"No doubt about it - the Maximo is the biggest, baddest, nastiest super-SUV on the market," said Spaulding. "And at a suggested retail price of $94,000, we believe that the demand from hip-hop, rap, and pop stars should bring initial sales of 200,000 or more of these babies."

Labels: Ford, Maximo, super-SUV