The 2012 Focus will be available with a new vehicle stability control system, which uses torque vectoring to improve the car�s handling. According to Ford, the system was inspired from downhill skiing and snowboarding techniques.
�The new Focus is the first North American Ford vehicle to offer torque vectoring control�, said Rick Bolt, program manager for the Ford Focus. �This is a technology that has been offered on high-end sports cars, yet Ford is making it standard on their new small car�.
The principle is simple: the system will apply a slight braking force to the driven wheel facing the inside of a corner, thus preventing the slippage due to the fact that it travels a shorter distance, while doing the same number of rotations as the outside wheel.
If this sounds familiar, you�re not mistaking, as this is what usually a limited slip differential does, minus the brake pad wear. Still, the system is cheaper than a mechanical differential and should offer added safety for novice drivers.
�Torque vectoring control elevates the dynamic capability of the entire Focus model range, from an S series sedan through a Titanium Sport Package hatchback,� said Bolt.
The 2012 Ford Focus goes on sale in the U.S. early next year.
By Csaba Daradics
_______________________________GALLERY_______________________________
No comments:
Post a Comment