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Ford Fusion Lightweight Concept Is As Light As A Focus Hatchback
We all know that weight reduction is one of the key factors in improving fuel efficiency in a car. Not just improved fuel economy, but a light car also handles better and delivers higher performance.
This is exactly what supercar manufacturers try to achieve to a large extent and this is also why supercars are expensive. So, that's a challenge faced by manufacturers while producing mainstream cars.
To produce lightweight cars that are also affordable by the masses, needs research, something a lot of manufacturers are undertaking. Ford has now given us a glimpse of what the future could be like with a ultra light Ford Fusion concept sedan.
Built with some of the most lightweight, yet strong materials, using the cutting manufacturing processes, this particular Ford Fusion model is is 362 kg lighter than a regular Fusion sedan.
In fact, Ford has managed to reduce the weight by 25 percent, making it as heavy as a Ford Fiesta hatchback, one of the smallest cars the company makes.
The work was carried out by same division at Ford that's responsible of making the Ford GT supercar. They have also contributed towards the development of the 2015 Ford F-150 pickup truck, which weights 317 kg less than the previous generation model.
The drastic reduction in weight is achieved through the use of unconventional materials to build components. For instance, the wheels on the Fusion concept is entirely carbon fiber and the tyres are lighter than usual, while the body uses high-strength steel and magnesium.
The windshield and windows use chemically treated glass similar to Gorilla Glass, while the rear window is made from plastic.
The brake discs are made from aluminum, while the oil pan is carbon fiber as well. Even the suspension springs are made from composite materials instead of metal alloys.
This Fusion is equipped with the company's 3-cylinder EcoBoost engine which now delivers a fuel economy of the Fiesta hatchback.
As you might have guessed, mass producing the light weight Ford Fusion would prove very expensive and this is where Ford is currently concentrating on. Moreover, some of these components, such as the composite springs still need to undergo reliability testing.
"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.
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