Ford’s all-new 2013 Ford Escape will have reduced wind noise leading to a quieter interior thanks to the use of an elliptical acoustic mirror.
An elliptical acoustic mirror was used for the first time on Escape to reduce wind noise and deliver a quieter interior. The mirror resembles a satellite dish with a microphone. The mirror identifies “hot spots” where noise penetrates the interior of the vehicle, allowing drivers to listen to music or conversation inside the car instead of external noises. Thanks to the mirror, Ford’s engineers were able to make changes to the Escape’s shape, specifically the mirrors and A-pillar, while in the early clay model phase.
“We previously didn’t have this tool available,” said Peter Kleesattel, interior quietness development engineer. “Essentially we were able to optimize the shape earlier. In noise and vibration, the basic idea is you have noise sources outside the vehicle and you have the path.
“The path could be through the glass, door or insulation. Now we’re able to optimize the shape early on, reduce the exterior source and create a quieter interior.”
The science behind acoustic mirrors dates back almost 100 years. The technology was a precursor to radar, used for “listening” for and detecting enemy aircraft along the coast of Great Britain during World War I.
The all-new 2013 Ford Escape will arrive this spring. The 2013 Escape will be available with three different four-cylinder powertrains. The new Escape gets an exterior that is inspired by the Vertrek concept. It will be powered by three different four-cylinder engines: a base 2.5L four-cylinder puts out 168 horsepower and 167 lb-ft. of torque, a 1.6-liter turbocharged EcoBoost engine that packs 173 hp or a 2.0-liter EcoBoost that puts out 237 hp and 250 lb-ft.
