Ford Introduces Lightweight Fusion Car
Ford has unveiled a lightweight concept car that weighs 700 pounds (about 318 Kg) less than its in-market mid-sized family sedan counterpart, the Ford Fusion. Ford managed to achieve this by using substitute lightweight alternatives such as high-strength steel, magnesium, aluminium and carbon fiber. As a result, Ford was free to reduce the engine capacity down to a one-liter, three-cylinder EcoBoost engine, which performed same as that of the Ford Fusion. Ford also claimed that this had increased the fuel economy to 45 MPG. But the company kept mum on the market availability of the car.
To shed about 25% of its weight, Ford engineers resorted to the revolutionary materials science products which have made our mobile devices lighter. The concept car's wheels and seats were made of carbon fiber. Hollow steel was used for crankshafts, springs and stabilizer bars. Also, Gorilla Glass, primarily used for smartphone screens was used for the front windshield and plastic was the material of choice for the rear one. For the body, a combination of aluminium, high-strength steel and magnesium instead of carbon fibre, a popular material used for construction of bodies of lightweight vehicles like F1 cars.
Ford also has striked up a partnership with Samsung's SDI Group to develop lighter and efficient batteries. The partnership has spawned a new two-battery system that uses a combination of Li-ion and Lead Acid batteries. This system will be helpful in making efficient regenerative braking systems available for normal cars. These systems are currently employed only in hybrid cars.
Ford has aimed to reduce pollution from its vehicles to a level of 450 ppm; a global
standard which many international companies and scientists are trying to achieve. It is believed that this level may avoid the most serious effects of climate change. Light weighting is a part of Ford's Blueprint for Sustainability Program which integrates sustainability into the business plan for the long-term preservation and enhancement of environmental, social and financial capital.
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The research vehicle was developed with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Vehicle Technologies Program, together with Cosma International – a subsidiary of Magna International – to illustrate long-term potential light-weighting solutions.To shed about 25% of its weight, Ford engineers resorted to the revolutionary materials science products which have made our mobile devices lighter. The concept car's wheels and seats were made of carbon fiber. Hollow steel was used for crankshafts, springs and stabilizer bars. Also, Gorilla Glass, primarily used for smartphone screens was used for the front windshield and plastic was the material of choice for the rear one. For the body, a combination of aluminium, high-strength steel and magnesium instead of carbon fibre, a popular material used for construction of bodies of lightweight vehicles like F1 cars.
Ford also has striked up a partnership with Samsung's SDI Group to develop lighter and efficient batteries. The partnership has spawned a new two-battery system that uses a combination of Li-ion and Lead Acid batteries. This system will be helpful in making efficient regenerative braking systems available for normal cars. These systems are currently employed only in hybrid cars.
Ford has aimed to reduce pollution from its vehicles to a level of 450 ppm; a global
standard which many international companies and scientists are trying to achieve. It is believed that this level may avoid the most serious effects of climate change. Light weighting is a part of Ford's Blueprint for Sustainability Program which integrates sustainability into the business plan for the long-term preservation and enhancement of environmental, social and financial capital.
Source: #-Link-Snipped-#
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