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Front Page
New IRS Provides Comfort and Control
Staff, Monday May 20, 2002.
Page 1 of 1
?In many suspension set-ups, there is an unnecessary compromise between ride and handling," says Ford Chassis Development Manager Alex de Vlugt. "By decoupling the two we can provide guaranteed control over toe and camber without sacrificing ride comfort.
?Handling has always been a hallmark of Falcon, but the new Control Blade IRS raises the bar to new heights.
?The new Control Blade IRS is lighter than our much lauded Double Wishbone IRS, yet offers more control and is more flattering to the driver. It also provides improved comfort for passengers.?
The Falcon Control Blade is similar to the rear suspension concept fitted to European cars such as Focus and Jaguar X-Type, hailed by critics for their ride, handling and steering response.
Developed by Ford?s chassis team specifically for Australian conditions, it is the first application of Ford Motor Company?s Control Blade technology in a rear-drive vehicle.
"Control Blade IRS was also specifically designed for the Barra program to be just as robust as the previous beam axle for trailer towing and outback use," says de Vlugt.
"The great benefit of Control Blade IRS is that it's been designed to separate suspension functions, allowing an optimal tune for varying conditions.
?As a result of this approach, the Barra Falcon?s Control Blade IRS is compliant in vertical and longitudinal directions to isolate harshness, but at the same time provides precisely defined toe angles under lateral and longitudinal forces. This ensures excellent handling, superior stability and high levels of driver control.
?The Control Blade IRS on the new Falcon is without doubt superior to the more simple IRS systems found on other Australian cars.?
de Vlugt said the suspension deflection toe curve is on Barra is the best of any Falcon to date.
"We have designed the longest possible lateral links into the suspension with stiff connections to the body, enabling a very straight toe curve with a carefully tuned slope."
He added that Control Blade IRS offered significant braking advantages, also.
"The geometry of the Control Blade IRS provides significant 'anti-dive' under braking force, translating into very flat body control and greatly enhanced stability."
How does it work?
The new ?Control Blade? is the dominant feature of the new IRS - a longitudinal trailing arm with a large, plush bush at one end. It has the key function of promoting ride and reducing road noise transmission, while providing the freedom to let the lateral links define toe and camber.
This feature effectively isolates the handling components of the suspension from the road noise and impact harshness components of the suspension.
The Control Blade IRS is mounted in a steel subframe, bolted directly to the underbody for increased stiffness.
In addition, all Barra Falcons will have upgraded shock absorbers for improved ride performance.
Front suspension in all Barra Falcons is the highly praised short and long arm spindle system. However substantial changes have been made to every component in the steering system to further improve Ford?s legendary steering feel.
"These changes have made the steering even more responsive, agile and communicative," de Vlugt says.
Freedom of choice:
Barra customers will be able to choose from four different levels of suspension tune - more than any previous Falcon.
Standard IRS will be found on Forte, Futura and Fairmont, complete with new 215/60 R16 tyres. This setting combines excellent ride performance without compromising handling and steering characteristics.
Sports IRS is standard on Fairmont Ghia, and available across the range as an option for Forte, Futura and Fairmont buyers. Based on lower profile 225/50 R17 Dunlop tyres, this set-up provides even higher levels of agility and feedback via a slightly firmer ride, achieved through lowered ride height, revised shock-absorber settings, and stiffer springs and anti-roll bars.
?The new Ghia is more fun to drive,? de Vlugt said. ?It has sharper steering, and handles better without inheriting ride harshness. The new Ghia emerges with a sportier character.?
Heavy Duty Suspension is available as a limited access option for Forte sedan buyers. This provides a higher ride height, stiffer springs and revised shock absorber settings for enhanced performance in outback and heavy-duty use. Careful ride tuning allows excellent performance both on and off the bitumen, despite the increased ground clearance.
Tickford IRS starts with ultra low profile 235/45 R17 Dunlop tyres. Standard on all XR sedans, it will not be available as an option on any other models.
All four IRS variants will be built at a new component factory located next door to the Broadmeadows assembly plant and supplied to the assembly line in sequence with vehicle build.
Barra station wagon rear suspension retains the tried and tested live rear axle for its excellent load carrying capacity. However, all elements of the rear suspension have been retuned to offer improved ride performance, while maintaining established Falcon wagon values including safe, reliable handling, towing capabilities and robustness.
Station wagon buyers can also opt for a heavy-duty suspension package.
For further information contact:
Ford Australia Communications
Phone:(03) 9359 8491
