Technology In 2017 Ford Fusion Helps Protect Against Pothole Damage

DEARBORN (WWJ) - Potholes may be unavoidable, but Ford has apparently figured out a way to make them less jarring.

Ford engineers have developed an advanced computer-controlled shock absorber system for the all-new Fusion V6 Sport, a 2017 model year vehicle, which significantly reduces that unpleasant feeling motorists get when driving down a pothole-riddled road.

According to AAA, pothole damage cost U.S. drivers approximately $3 billion a year and drivers report paying $300 to repair pothole-related vehicle damage. The Fusion V6 Sport is the first Ford car equipped with a computer-controlled shock absorber system -- or continuously controlled damping -- as a standard feature. This advanced technology helps to protect your car and your wallet.

"The new Fusion V6 Sport substantially reduces the harsh impact potholes often deliver," engineer Jason Michener said in a statement. "Our new pothole mitigation technology works by actually detecting potholes and 'catching' the car's wheel before it has a chance to drop all the way into the pothole."

Along with a 2.7-liter twin-turbocharged V6 EcoBoost engine projected to deliver 325 horsepower, Ford says the Fusion's smart new suspension system provides better handling while helping protect your car and your wallet from damaging potholes.

Onboard computers analyze multiple signals collected from 12 high-resolution sensors, adjusting the dampers every two milliseconds for the best vehicle response in every situation. When the edge of a pothole is detected, the car's computer adjusts the dampers faster than the blink of an eye to their stiffest settings so the wheel doesn't fall as far into the pothole. Because the tire and wheel don't drop as far, they don't strike the opposite side of the pothole as harshly.

The rear suspension can respond even faster, with a signal from the front wheel providing a pre-warning to the rear wheel well before it reaches the pothole.

"We tested and tuned this system by driving over countless potholes - subjecting Fusion V6 Sport to the brutal, square-edged potholes of our Romeo Proving Grounds to finesse the software," said Michener. "It was long hours of not very pleasant work, but the results are well worth it."

Suspension tuning can be changed at the push of a button -- normal mode balances comfort and handling for daily driving, while sport mode's increased overall damping rates allow the car to respond quicker to driver input and to corner flatter for more spirited driving.

The all-new Fusion arrives at Ford dealerships this summer.