- A comprehensive approach to minimizing noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) delivers significant improvement in Ford Focus comfort and refinement
- Reductions in powertrain, wind and road noise contribute to refined and harmonious Focus sound character
- Unwanted vibrations, squeaks and rattles have been eliminated to enhance Focus quality
LOS ANGELES, Jan. 24, 2011 Achieving significantly reduced levels of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was a primary goal for the new Ford Focus, key to creating a balanced and harmonious sound character by minimizing powertrain, wind and road noise along with any unwanted vibrations, squeaks or rattles.
To emphasize the perception of quality, particular attention was given to reducing all operational noises within the vehicle. The result is a vehicle that approaches the standards of refinement and comfort more typically found in larger, premium vehicles.
Reduced levels of NVH can make a significant contribution to driving comfort, said David Snyder, NVH supervisor. With its refinements, the new Focus will allow customers to get out of the car stress-free, having really enjoyed the drive.
Refined powertrain sound character
Efforts to reduce powertrain NVH focused on detailed optimization of engines, transmissions and exhaust systems, eliminating unwanted noises at source and enhancing the natural behavior of the powertrains to create a more refined yet powerful sound character. Additional sound insulation and absorption materials within the vehicle have also been used in an effort to optimize and reduce the noise transfer into the cabin.
Significant time was spent in tuning the exhaust system for the Focus 2.0-liter I-4 to provide a sporty, muscular tone under power and minimizing exhaust noise while cruising.
New door concept helps eliminate wind noise
To help reduce wind noise, the new Focus adopts the same door structure and sealing concept used on other Ford vehicles, which optimizes exterior mirror shape and sealing.
The new Focus features a windshield with a special acoustic layer, which significantly reduces noise transmission in a frequency range critical for wind noise and other high-frequency noises. This is complemented by increased side and rear glass thickness.
All these changes result in significant noise reduction, a more consistent sound level distribution within the cabin and overall wind noise performance that is comparable to larger luxury cars.
Road noise minimized by optimized body structure
The improved Focus body structure, with increased torsional rigidity, stiffened front and rear subframes and selective application of dynamic absorbers plays a major role in reducing road-induced noise and vibration.
The local body stiffness at the attachment points of the chassis components has also been significantly increased. For example, the rear subframe crossmember attachment points are 75 percent stiffer using advanced methods of structural optimization.
The effectiveness of these enhancements has been maximized through rigorous attention to detail in tuning the stiffness and compliance of suspension bushings, application of sound-deadening material on certain body panels and optimizing tire performance.
Improved carpets give more effective insulation across the floor area, while the optimized application of self-expanding foams in specific body cavities, a headliner with improved sound- absorption properties and additional sealing efforts on trim parts all contribute to higher levels of isolation from unwanted road noise.
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About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 163,000 employees and about 70 plants worldwide, the company’s automotive brands include Ford and Lincoln. The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit www.ford.com.