Report: Ford targeting up to 700-pound weight loss across lineup

With stricter 2012-2016 fuel economy standards quickly creeping up on automakers, research and development departments industry-wide are looking for innovative technologies to improve fuel economy and reduce CO2 emissions. But while hybrids and electric vehicles provide the largest wow factor, most powertrains in the near term will be of the internal combustion variety, so Ford is looking to shed pounds as well.

TheDetroitBureau.com reports that Ford is looking to trim between 250 and 700 pounds from each of its vehicles by 2017 or 2018. That's an impressive total given the fact that added safety measures and more technology have contributed to the bloated scale-breakers we have today, and an aluminum hood or high strength steel can only make up some of that distance. Engineering Chief Derrick Kuzak tells TDB that "weight reduction starts with new platforms." That means aluminum and carbon fiber chassis components and lighter frames.

With the cost of aluminum far exceeding that of steel, using the lightweight material could be a costly endeavor. Kuzak believes the answer could be carbon fiber, but to use the strong, light material, Ford must "improve manufacturability and reduce costs."

Cutting several hundred pounds from a vehicle will no-doubt cut fuel consumption and substantially improve performance, and the efficiency gains can be two-fold. Kuzak points out that lighter vehicles can be fitted with smaller, more efficient engines, giving the vehicles a second bump in fuel economy. Lighter vehicles could also lead to improved EVs as well, as less battery power would be needed to propel a vehicle, which leads to more miles per charge.

We're all for lighter and more efficient vehicles, and we're wondering whether it's too early to put in an order for a 2,600-pound Mustang GT. Okay, so the largest weight loss is likely for the trucks and SUVs, but we can dream, right?

http://www.autoblog.com/2011/04/20/r...across-lineup/

 

2017/2018 = that's pretty much for the next generation of every model they have.

It's going to be tough, but I guess it's appropriate that it's Ford tough.

 

everyone is making their vehicles lighter to get better mpg.

 

250-700 pounds, by all means do it in next gen(s) with more sophisticated materials. Needs to get done for a variety of reasons but primarily fuel efficiency.

An example of minimal progress in terms of weight reduction is the new unibody Ford Explorer, being only 150 pounds lighter than the BOF 4th gen version that it replaces.

 

The big problem is that the government is demanding ever-better fuel economy (which decreased weight, of course, helps) at the same time that it is also ever-more equipment being put into new cars, which adds the weight right back. The people in Washington seem to want it both ways....which makes it very difficult for auto engineers and designers.

That is one of the reasons why, despite decades of engineering improvements, today's cars don't get appreciably better mileage than those of 20-30 years ago......weight and added equipment. In the 1980's, for instance, you could get a CRX HF or a Geo Metro xFI that would, with a careful driver, get 60 MPG on the highway. Today, in the American market, only the Prius and some of the small VW TDIs can come anywhere near that....not even the small Honda hybrids can do that.

 

bingo.

and the govt now seems to be pushing ever more for 'green energy' so i guess we'll see windmills on top of cars. even if you covered an entire car in solar panels, it won't generate that much electricity, not to mention it's heavy, expensive, and would look hideous.

 

really? Why do you think there is everyone announcing 30% improvement in MPG this year? You think that would have happened with govt? It didnt before.

Sometimes you do need legislation to reach long term goals.

 

I agree with mmarshall, people want power everything and the latest and greatest gizmo and more power and they want the best mpg. Experience tells me you can't have your cake and eat it too. But I have to hand it to engineer for making it work.

 

I think consumer demand is all it takes to get better mpg's the gov never asked Toyota to make a Prius they did it because they saw a demand. The more we allow government intervene with minuscule things like enforcing mpg standards the bigger it gets and I HATE big government.

 

I fully support government mandated fuel efficieny and here is why. Yes, the consumer dictates demand. So in 2008 the consumer demanded more efficient cars. There were few to be had as demand had not dictated them. So what did the people do? Blame themselves for buying 14 MPG Excursions? No. They complained to the government that they couldn't afford to drive their vehicles, because gas was too high. And there was no solution. So then what did the American people do? They voted the dominant party out.

 

no, the govt CREATED the problem in the first place by mandating so much extra weight be added to cars (air bags, electronics, anti-lock brakes, stability control systems, side impact beams, higher bumpers, center brake lights, on and on) so after pointing that gun to automakers heads now they're point new bigger guns of efficiency standards. the auto makers have no choice but to respond. the result is yes, efficient, safer vehicles, but at what cost.

 

so you are saying if not for the govt, we would be driving pinto's now?

 

.... how many new cars have direct injection now? you must be in heaven!

 

Mazda is reducing 220lbs in its new lineup

 

Solar panels look hideous?

The sky is the limit with technology and design if you have an open mind along with a vivid imagination.