Mexican Media Brands
Ford Unveils Ultra-Light Concept Car
Ford Motor Co. has applied techniques used in its aluminum-intensive F-15 pickup truck to create a version of its Fusion sedan that is 25% lighter than the 2013 production model.
#aluminum
Share
Ford Motor Co. has applied techniques used in its aluminum-intensive F-15 pickup truck to create a version of its Fusion sedan that is 25% lighter than the 2013 production model.
The concept car uses aluminum, ultra-high-strength steel, magnesium and carbon fiber in the chassis, body, powertrain and interior to shave roughly 900 lbs from the Fusion, reducing its weight to about that of a subcompact Ford Fiesta.
Among the revamped parts are carbon fiber wheels and oil pan, aluminum brake rotors, lightweight wheels and composite coil suspension springs.
Ford describes the result as its most comprehensive blend of advanced materials in one vehicle to date. It concedes that many of the applications in the test car are too expensive and/or not yet ready for high-volume production.
The concept car was developed through the U.S. Dept. of Energy's Vehicle Technologies Program with Magna International Inc.'s Cosma International unit.
RELATED CONTENT
-
Jeeps Modified for Moab
On Easter morning in Moab, Utah, when the population of that exceedingly-hard-to-get-to town in one of the most beautiful settings on Earth has more than doubled, some people won’t be hunting for Easter eggs, but will be trying to get a good look at one of the vehicles six that Jeep has prepared for real-life, fast-feedback from the assembled at the annual Easter Jeep Safari.
-
On Propulsion, Security, Sustainability and more
MAHLE sees hybrids continuing, Dodge has software to protect SRT models, Jenson Button is developing vehicles at a race track in Arizona, Audi is using green aluminum, BMW is investing in green steel, Mercedes is reducing its production emissions footprint, Bentley builds its 200,000th, and Sonata N Line impressions
-
Multiple Choices for Light, High-Performance Chassis
How carbon fiber is utilized is as different as the vehicles on which it is used. From full carbon tubs to partial panels to welded steel tube sandwich structures, the only limitation is imagination.