This year’s New York show has hundreds of noteworthy vehicles on display, yet we find ourselves drawn to the most bizarre-looking ones, like the Hardman Label right here. Known as Ford F-150 at birth, the SUV shocks with its sheer aggression, bulk and weight.
The manufacturer advertises it as a luxury vehicle with a dazzling appearance, emphasizing that the chassis and the powertrain were made in the United States. Frankly, we would be more interested in the country of origin of that body kit, since the rest is just standard F-150 fare, but whatever.
In another puzzling statement, the tuner claims the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 has been optimized for power, fuel economy and environmental friendliness. There are no specifics whatsoever, and the same company says the SUV weighs a cool 5.778 lbs, or 2,620 kilos – that’s around 1,000 lbs, or 450 kilos, more than stock. Just how do you get superior fuel economy in a heavyweight like this? Again, we probably aren’t the target audience.
Inside the cabin, the dashboard stays stock while the rest gets a complete overhaul with generous amounts of brown leather and natural wood used throughout. A TV screen resides at the rear row, and the seats boast adjustable headrests. The puzzling part is the console between the front seats, which is elevated and highlighted with wood trim but appears completely non-functional.
The cheapest you can get a Hardman Label for is $198,000, but the example exhibited at the show has a host of drivetrain upgrades and accessories installed, so it costs a good deal more than that.