Attention to Aero Benefits ’09 Ford Escape
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| The revised front chin spoiler and availability of a new 6-speed automatic transmission help improve fuel economy on the ’09 Escape and Mercury Mariner. |
Optimization has taken on increased importance as automakers look for ways to eke out fuel efficiency gains from existing and future vehicle programs. Ford’s ’09 Escape and Mercury Mariner are proof that attention to the smallest details can provide marked benefits when it comes to MPG ratings. As Eric Loeffler, chief engineer for the SUVs, explains: “When we did the ’08 model we thought we had optimized it, but we wanted to go back into the wind tunnel and look at all the elements and see what we could do to further optimize aero.” The team focused on redesigning the chin spoiler, along with adding a small shield at the back of the rocker panel to reduce drag. The changes result in a fuel economy improvement of ¾ MPG at a running speed of 70 MPH. “We had to get the design studio working with the aerodynamicists to perfect the shape from an appearance and performance perspective. They decided to add a scallop so that the spoiler wouldn’t look like an add on,” Loeffler said.
Besides the aero changes, the Escape and Mariner receive major upgrades to their powertrain offerings. A new base engine—2.5-liter 4-cylinder producing 171 hp @ 6,000 rpm—replaces the 2.3-liter, while the optional 3-liter V6 gets a 40 hp boost to 240 hp @ 6,500 rpm. Both engines are now available with Ford’s new 6F-mid-range 6-speed automatic transmission, which helps boost fuel economy up to 6% over the 4-speed found on the ‘08 model. What’s more, there have been suspension modifications, including the addition of a new rear stabilizer bar and revised tuning: “The rear stabilizer opened up a lot of tuning variables so there will be a noticeable reduction in body roll, which makes the driver feel more confident,” says Loeffler.—KMK
Ford Leans on Six Speeds |
 Ford has set the goal of equipping more than 1.4 million of its cars and trucks with 6-speed automatic transmissions by the end of 2009. A critical piece of that goal will be filled by the company’s Sterling Heights (MI) transmission plant, home of the 6F50 (Ford Taurus, Taurus X, Edge, Flex, Mercury Sable, Lincoln MKX and MKS) and 6F35 (’09 Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute) front-drive gearboxes. Ford invested more than $370 million at the facility over a 14-month period, installing new CNC machining centers, gantry systems and assembly lines, along with the initiation of new processes designed to improve product quality. The plant now uses imbedded RFID chips to track tool life and assure proper tool usage. All transmissions are hot tested for two minutes before shipping. New workstation gantry systems reduce the amount of floor space needed, compared to the previous 4-speed manufacturing line; installed buffers provide added flexibility to manufacture multiple variants in various sequences. Ford plans to manufacture 650,000 units of each transmission at the plant annually.—KMK |
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