Torque vectoring control uses the Focus braking system to imitate the effect of limited-slip differential, constantly balancing the distribution of engine output between the driven front wheels to suit driving conditions and road surface. This increased vehicle stability in cornering situations is sure to please enthusiast drivers yet serves as a confidence builder for novice drivers as well. The behind-the-wheel experience is an improved sense of stability and control throughout the curve. The slight braking pressure applied to just one driven wheel is imperceptible to the driver. Just as a downhill skier or board rider shifts weight to their outside edge in transition from schuss to edge – adding balance and stability to carve through a turn – torque vectoring control provides slight braking force to the wheel and the tire that is subject to potential slippage to help the driver and vehicle gracefully negotiate the curve. "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 new Focus is the first North American Ford vehicle to offer torque vectoring control," said Rick Bolt, program manager for the Ford Focus. The all-new 2012 Ford Focus is the first beneficiary of a new class-exclusive Ford technology that employs downhill skiing and snowboarding moves to increase vehicle stability in turns.Įngineered to increase novice driver confidence by adding a finer sense of control in curves, the next-generation Focus will please enthusiast drivers as well with the addition of a vehicle stability control system previously reserved for premium sports cars. Torque vectoring control provides stabilizing braking force to an individual drive wheel in a similar way that a skier or board-rider would shift weight to carving edge when turning.Torque vectoring control is a Focus class-exclusive feature that serves as a confidence-builder for novice drivers, while pleasing enthusiasts with added control when cornering.The all-new 2012 Ford Focus features standard torque vectoring control to increase vehicle stability in turns by applying slight braking force to one side.Further, it taxes the brake system harder, applying the already-overworked front brakes during acceleration as well as braking, leading to reduced times before brake fade begins.įord Technology Allows New Ford Focus to Carve Through Turns Like a Downhill Skier You can't plan for that dab of brake on the inside wheel, which, depending on the surface, can actually reduce front-axle traction even further, particularly if you're already at the lateral limit, leading to understeer where an open diff wouldn't. Don't hammer the gas until the wheel is straight, and expect some tug if you do-particularly over bumpier asphalt. But unlike computer-driven electronic nannies, the action of a limited-slip diff is mechanical, and therefore predictable. The first-generation Mazdaspeed3 is an excellent illustration: torque steer galore. Limited-slip diffs have their downsides, too, particularly in front-wheel drive cars. Even BMW doesn't get this right, so we don't expect anything special here. In practice, TV systems aren't predictable in their engagement, often over-limit wheel spin, and generally serve to slow the car and make it harder to drive at the limit-especially when compared to the system they're replacing: limited-slip differentials. In our experience, TV systems' interferences with driver inputs are not only not imperceptible, they're downright annoying. All well and good so far, right? Not really.
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