Ford Builds on Advanced Materials Use in All-New F-150 with Lightweight Concept Car
03 Giugno 2014 - 11:00PM
Business Wire
- Ford Lightweight Concept vehicle
represents Ford’s ongoing research for future light-weighting and
advanced materials applications, building on the all-new Ford
F-150, which sheds up to 700 pounds through use of high-strength
steel and aluminum alloys
- Light-weighting is a key component in
Ford’s Blueprint for Sustainability; mixed-materials research
vehicle explores how advanced materials might be applied for future
high-volume vehicle production for better performance and gas
mileage, and carbon dioxide emission reduction
- Ford Lightweight Concept reduces the
weight of a 2013 Fusion to that of a Ford Fiesta, resulting in a
nearly 25 percent weight reduction
- Mixed-materials research vehicle
developed in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy’s
Vehicle Technologies Program, together with Cosma International – a
subsidiary of Magna International
Ford Motor Company today unveiled its Lightweight Concept
vehicle, which uses advanced materials to explore future
weight-reduction solutions that could improve performance and fuel
efficiency while reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
Ford Lightweight Concept reduces the
weight of a 2013 Fusion to that of a Ford Fiesta, resulting in a
nearly 25 percent weight reduction. (Photo: Business Wire)
The vehicle represents the latest phase of Ford’s research into
developing sustainable technology solutions that are affordable for
consumers and can be produced in large volumes across the product
lineup. This research has also led to dramatic weight reductions of
up to 700 pounds in the all-new F-150. The 2015 F-150 sheds weight
through the use of high-strength steel and aluminum, enabling it to
tow more, haul more, accelerate quicker and stop shorter – all with
improved gas mileage.
“Consumers today want better fuel efficiency, but they also want
more technology and features in the car, which usually adds weight
to the vehicle,” said Raj Nair, Ford group vice president, Global
Product Development. “A focus on light-weighting will be
fundamental to our industry for years to come, and we are
investigating many advanced materials applications as possible
solutions for weight reduction in our vehicles.”
Light-weighting is a key component in Ford’s Blueprint for
Sustainability, which integrates sustainability into the business
plan for the long-term preservation and enhancement of
environmental, social and financial capital. The introduction and
incorporation of lightweight materials into vehicle construction
helps meet the goal of reducing weight to achieve better fuel
economy for consumers while also reducing greenhouse gas
emissions.
Ford’s research into improved efficiency through weight
reduction with advanced materials including new metals, alloys and
composites began more than 25 years ago. This research produced the
breakthrough Aluminum Intensive Vehicle program in 1992 and
all-aluminum high-performance Ford GT in 2005.
Along with other fuel-efficiency technologies, light-weighting
is fundamental to Ford’s efforts to stabilize carbon dioxide
concentrations in the atmosphere at 450 parts per million – the
level many scientists, businesses and governmental agencies believe
may avoid the most serious effects of climate change.
Holistic approach to light-weighting
As consumer electronics like cellphones and tablets become more
lightweight, so does the ultimate mobile device – the vehicle.
Ford’s Lightweight Concept uses many of the same advanced materials
found in today’s lightweight electronic devices, including
aluminum, chemically toughened glass and advanced lightweight
plastics.
Ford engineers took a holistic approach to weight reduction by
incorporating advanced materials into the entire design of the
vehicle, including powertrain, chassis, body, battery and interior
features such as seats. This Lightweight Concept vehicle represents
its most comprehensive blend of advanced materials yet in one
vehicle, including strategic application of aluminum,
ultra-high-strength steels, magnesium and carbon fiber.
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. Magna’s design and
development of the multi-material body-in-white, closures and
chassis components are a significant contribution in
light-weighting the concept vehicle.
“Our goal was to investigate how to design and build a
mixed-materials, lightweight vehicle that could potentially be
produced in high volume, while providing the same level of safety,
durability and toughness as our vehicles on the road today,” said
Matt Zaluzec, Ford technical leader, Global Materials and
Manufacturing Research. “There’s not a one-size-fits-all approach
to light-weighting. The Lightweight Concept gives us the platform
to continue to explore the right mix of materials and applications
for future vehicles.”
Other industries have incorporated lighter-weight advanced
materials to achieve greater fuel economy, speed and performance.
Aviation and aerospace industries – commercial and military – make
extensive use of composites structures and mixed materials,
including aluminum and carbon fiber, to reduce weight and maximize
fuel efficiency. The rail industry makes extensive use of
lightweight materials to reduce weight in high-speed and bullet
trains. The heavy truck transportation industry uses lightweight
materials including aluminum and high-strength steel to improve
fuel efficiency.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in
Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six
continents. With about 183,000 employees and 65 plants worldwide,
the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The
company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit
Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products
worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.
For news releases, related materials and
high-resolution photos and video, visit www.media.ford.com.
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Ford Motor CompanySusannah
Wesley313.580.2130swesley8@ford.comorJake
Dylik313.806.6296jdylik1@ford.com
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