2005 Ford Explorer Sport Trac Adrenalin Concept

Unveiled in 2005, the Sport Trac Adrenalin Concept was Ford’s bold attempt to create what it called “the world’s first high-performance sport-utility truck.” Based on the Explorer Sport Trac, the Adrenalin packed serious muscle and street presence, signaling a new direction for performance pickups.

At its heart was a 4.6-litre, 32-valve DOHC V8, boosted by a Roots-type supercharger to produce 390 horsepower—a big number at the time, especially for a mid-size truck. Power was sent to all four wheels through a full-time all-wheel-drive system and a performance-tuned 6-speed automatic transmission.

Styling was aggressive and clean, with a monochrome black exterior, integrated running boards, unique bumpers, and 21-inch wheels. The body was smoothed out and sportier, giving it a lower, more planted stance. Unlike typical pickups, the Adrenalin skipped chrome for a stealthier look, making it stand out from Ford’s regular truck lineup.

Inside, the cabin followed the performance theme with sport seats, metallic accents, and Adrenalin badging. The setup hinted at a focus on both speed and street style, blurring the line between SUV, pickup, and muscle car.

While the Adrenalin Concept never made it to full production in this supercharged form, it previewed a performance-focused vision that would influence later Ford SVT projects. It also anticipated the growing market interest in sport trucks long before models like the Ram TRX or Ford Raptor took center stage.