The patent findings have definitely piqued my interest in who is doing what and how far Ford may go with this car in search of performance. And while rumors of some fairly lofty weight numbers are being tossed around, my interest lies in the attempts to keep the fat trimmed as much as possible.
The CF wheels from Carbon Revolution were a major advancement and I'd hope they are tapped again. The question remains as to how much cost reduction has been possible what with the benefit of increased economies of scale along with recent technological developments. The composite GOR (or grill opening reinforcement) on the GT350 was a pretty big feat a few years ago. In searching for more data on Magna and BASF, two big players in the area of composites and lightweighting, I found an older video on the GOR I hadn't seen before.
I never knew the part was molded in two pieces and then fused to make one. And to what DBK intimated, Ford is indeed in search of weight savings at every corner. This piece saved 2.5lbs over it's metal stamped predecessor and an additional 1.9lbs was saved by eliminating the "beauty cover." My only gripe - the "carbon-fiber composite" raised lettering. I know it was new to many and as such Ford felt the need to show how proud they were. Much like putting "wheel" on a wheel or "tire" on a tire, I hope this ends. A simple request.
Anyway, at the end of the above video it is mentioned that BASF/Magna were working with Ford on upcoming GOR/front end modules as well as active aero and active grills, exactly what the patents of a few pages back showed.
Magna and Cosma have also been working with Ford on composite subframes. It looks as though much of the development focused of Fusion related hardware but with that car going away it would seem reasonable that the Mustang could take advantage as well.
A good read on the above.
Teaming to define what automotive CFRP could be
It looks as though Ford has been testing the subframes for the past year.
My only concern is that it is way too early and that Ford will continue and test such that this technology might show up on an SUV or truck down the road. Maybe even the S650 Mustang - if that one ends up ever happening. Then again, the following quote gives me hope for 2020, even if only a little.
I also pray this car doesn't have the uber annoying start/stop "feature."
The CF wheels from Carbon Revolution were a major advancement and I'd hope they are tapped again. The question remains as to how much cost reduction has been possible what with the benefit of increased economies of scale along with recent technological developments. The composite GOR (or grill opening reinforcement) on the GT350 was a pretty big feat a few years ago. In searching for more data on Magna and BASF, two big players in the area of composites and lightweighting, I found an older video on the GOR I hadn't seen before.
I never knew the part was molded in two pieces and then fused to make one. And to what DBK intimated, Ford is indeed in search of weight savings at every corner. This piece saved 2.5lbs over it's metal stamped predecessor and an additional 1.9lbs was saved by eliminating the "beauty cover." My only gripe - the "carbon-fiber composite" raised lettering. I know it was new to many and as such Ford felt the need to show how proud they were. Much like putting "wheel" on a wheel or "tire" on a tire, I hope this ends. A simple request.
Anyway, at the end of the above video it is mentioned that BASF/Magna were working with Ford on upcoming GOR/front end modules as well as active aero and active grills, exactly what the patents of a few pages back showed.Magna and Cosma have also been working with Ford on composite subframes. It looks as though much of the development focused of Fusion related hardware but with that car going away it would seem reasonable that the Mustang could take advantage as well.
A good read on the above.
Teaming to define what automotive CFRP could be
It looks as though Ford has been testing the subframes for the past year.
Will Ford's composites move finally crack the automotive industry's throughput dilemma?
My only concern is that it is way too early and that Ford will continue and test such that this technology might show up on an SUV or truck down the road. Maybe even the S650 Mustang - if that one ends up ever happening. Then again, the following quote gives me hope for 2020, even if only a little.
Magna Delivers Prototype of Composite Subframe to Ford
I also pray this car doesn't have the uber annoying start/stop "feature."
