2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid: Active Noise Cancellation Helps Deliver Quiet Fuel Efficiency

DEARBORN, Mich., Sept. 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- 

• All-new 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid delivers EPA-certified 47 mpg city and 47 mpg highway for a 47 mpg combined rating, with Active Noise Cancellation technology

• Fusion Hybrid engineers tuned the gasoline engine more efficiently in rpm ranges that typically produce unpleasant powertrain sounds, now suppressed by an advanced noise cancellation system to give driver and passengers a quiet ride

Powertrain noise in the all-new Ford Fusion Hybrid is like the proverbial tree that fell in the forest. With Active Noise Cancellation technology on board, if you don't hear it, is it really even there?

Active Noise Cancellation technology helps enable the 2013 Fusion Hybrid sedan to deliver EPA-certified 47 mpg city and 47 mpg highway ratings that combine for 47 mpg overall.

The fuel economy connection may not be obvious, but Active Noise Cancellation allows Ford engineers to tune the car for more fuel-efficient operation.

Calibrating an engine requires careful balance between delivering the desired performance with the lowest possible fuel consumption and emissions, all while keeping it pleasant to drive.

"The Fusion Hybrid leverages this advanced technology to help deliver maximum fuel economy for the customer," said Henry Ford Technical Fellow for NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness) Dr. Takeshi Abe. "Reduced powertrain noise in the passenger compartment becomes the icing on the cake."

Website - http://www.ford.comYet to achieve peak fuel economy, a creative solution must be applied harnessing advanced audio technology to eradicate this unwanted sound.

A predictive control system notes driver behavior and how the engine responds, anticipating noise before it is even generated.

Three highly sensitive microphones are mounted in the Fusion Hybrid's interior headliner – two over the first seating row and one over the rear – to detect and measure engine noise. These microphones send a signal to the Active Noise Cancellation control module in real time.

The module instantaneously and continuously generates opposing sound waves. This reversed wave is directed through the Fusion Hybrid's audio system, combining with the original engine noise wave to cancel out any potentially objectionable sound.

The combination of the proactive and reactive signals ultimately provides a more pleasing effect for driver and passengers.

The infographic below depicts Active Noise Cancellation technology at work, showing the movement pattern of sound travel within the car. The lower panel depicts the cancellation of unwanted sounds, resulting in minimized residual noise.

The Fusion Hybrid appears in Ford dealerships nationwide this fall.

The story behind the new Fusion
For more on the new Ford Fusion, check out http://FordFusionStory.com, a special mobile site featuring articles, videos and graphics that are easily shareable directly from a smartphone, tablet or computer browser to Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and blogs.

About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F), a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn, Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With about 168,000 employees and about 65 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 and its products worldwide, please visit http://corporate.ford.com.

SOURCE Ford Motor Company