Ford has adopted a “mixed materials” strategy to shed weight on the 2020 Explorer SUV available on sale this summer.
“Weight was a factor in every decision we made,” Explorer chief engineer Bill Gubing said. The SUV’s structure includes steel, aluminium, magnesium and plastic to keep the weight low.
{alcircleadd}The new Explorer dropped about 200 pounds in comparison to its old model notwithstanding the added features. It's also 36% stiffer than the old Explorer, which is likely to offer a comfortable and stable ride.
That’s less than one third of the 700-pound plus weight loss claimed by the 2015 F-150’s all-aluminium body. However, it is to be noted that the preceding F-150 was much heavier. It’s also such a popular vehicle that it could withstand the higher cost of a wholesale change and Ford actually sold more F-series trucks at higher prices even after its shift to aluminium.
However, 2020 Explorer is targeting individual parts and manufacturing processes for weight reduction. The 2020 Explorer benefits from low oil prices and offering a hybrid model that will boost fuel economy without the cost of converting the entire body to aluminium.
“The Explorer is the most use of mixed materials ever by Ford,” Gubing said. “We considered all-aluminium,” he added.
Ford looked at cost and practicality and opted for a mixed material body with smart use of aluminium in different components. The ‘20 Explorer’s engineering can be called a more thoughtful approach than substituting one material for another entirely. It uses a steel skin and an aluminium hood while making detailed changes in the construction that have contributed to the weight reduction.
Ford used a similar variety of types and processes for aluminium, including castings, extrusion and heat treated to make changes in its parts. It reduced weight by removing material from the body where it wasn’t needed. The SUV used magnesium and plastic strategically along with range of new steel grades. The 2020 Explorer is the first of several vehicles that will use a new architecture Ford developed.
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