Pot Holes

[B25Nut]

The 2017 Fusion Sport will be able to skip over potholes.

 

http://money.cnn.com/2016/02/18/autos/ford-fusion-pothole-protection/index.html

[Waldo]

The MKZ has had the same system since 2013.

[Cobra348]

The Expedition has also had it from what I saw on the news. If the Sport can have it why not the other trim levels ... or is it an experiment to see how well it goes over first (the Sport and the pothole dodger)?

[Waldo]

The Expedition has also had it from what I saw on the news. If the Sport can have it why not the other trim levels ... or is it an experiment to see how well it goes over first (the Sport and the pothole dodger)?

 

Because the system costs about $700.

[Cobra348]

 

Because the system costs about $700.

Buyers will get an ESP at purchase or later for >$1000, I personally have an extra set of rims and bought snow tires which totaled >$1000 combined. My point is that some people would get it if it was offered, if only to smooth out the ride on local streets that disintegrate after hard winters. I can see those in the warmer climates not getting this option, however.

[Sky14FFH]

Sounds like more expensive things to go bad when they get a little older. And since it is getting harder for non ford certified mechanics to maintain these "added features" that means it is going to get even more expensive to repair. I'd stay away from it.

Edited February 23, 2016 by Sky14FFH

[ElectricFan69]

The Expedition has also had it from what I saw on the news. If the Sport can have it why not the other trim levels ... or is it an experiment to see how well it goes over first (the Sport and the pothole dodger)?

This sort of system adds most value to vehicles with the heavy,clunky and oversize wheel/ultra-low-profile tire. Sport goes there - and most of the other trim levels aren't as bad. I'm a bit surprised that the Platinum trim, which also has the 40 series tire, doesn't include it. Like other systems of the sort, it's going to result in grip compromise if it's active while cornering - a wheel 'flying over' a pothole won't be providing grip...

 

That sort of system can smooth out the ride - and is likely to age badly and be quite spendy when the components need replacement - look at shock/strut prices for GM magnetic shocks. Sport is also the 'premium' version of the Fusion, and thus more likely to have owners that tolerate the breakage and costs - although I'd suspect that the design life will exceed the warranty/average first owner duration. This is a component that speaks to same sort of priorities that tolerate 20K mile 'high-grip' tires and fragile, expensive-to-replace wheels. It's a technology fix for a 'fashion-originated' problem of low-profile tires and wheels.

[Waldo]

This sort of system adds most value to vehicles with the heavy,clunky and oversize wheel/ultra-low-profile tire. Sport goes there - and most of the other trim levels aren't as bad. I'm a bit surprised that the Platinum trim, which also has the 40 series tire, doesn't include it. Like other systems of the sort, it's going to result in grip compromise if it's active while cornering - a wheel 'flying over' a pothole won't be providing grip...

 

That sort of system can smooth out the ride - and is likely to age badly and be quite spendy when the components need replacement - look at shock/strut prices for GM magnetic shocks. Sport is also the 'premium' version of the Fusion, and thus more likely to have owners that tolerate the breakage and costs - although I'd suspect that the design life will exceed the warranty/average first owner duration. This is a component that speaks to same sort of priorities that tolerate 20K mile 'high-grip' tires and fragile, expensive-to-replace wheels. It's a technology fix for a 'fashion-originated' problem of low-profile tires and wheels.

 

Why would you think it's more prone to failure? The shocks themselves are a much better quality than the ones used on conventional systems so they should last far longer before they leak.

[ElectricFan69]

 

Why would you think it's more prone to failure? The shocks themselves are a much better quality than the ones used on conventional systems so they should last far longer before they leak.

Experience. Complexity does not age gracefully, even if it's based on durable components. And with every engineer trying to squeeze the last cent of cost out of a part, long-term durability doesn't necessarily give a positive return for the manufacturer.

 

Had a 90's vintage Crown Vic with air ride. First 4 years / 110K miles, the system was great. After that - random 'sitting on bump stops' experienced, which was ultimately diagnosed as a bad sensor and (occasionally) leaking valve. Had acquaintances with similar vintage Mark VII/VIII with the air ride suspensions. Struts were substantially more $$$ to replace, had similar issues with hard (read expen$$ive) to diagnose faults and spendy to set right. If you do 3 year lease, cool, you won't likely have to worry about it. For the folks that keep their cars for a good long time (or for those with the bad judgement to buy well-used examples), the parts bill will be quite painful.

[Texasota]

Experience. Complexity does not age gracefully, even if it's based on durable components.

This has also been my experience. A car loaded with high tech features/options likely results in more expensive repairs with age.

[machoman1337]

This has also been my experience. A car loaded with high tech features/options likely results in more expensive repairs with age.

 

Just ask the Germans :P Their insistence on newfangled gizmos and reinventing the wheel (for some components) just leads to super expensive breakdowns. I've heard of BMW windshield wipers tearing themselves off because they were designed in a fancy manner to cover 4% more surface area. Audi's adaptive air suspensions will sooner than later lead to you waking up to find your car leaning to one side. Mercedes' power-closing trunks will one day hold your bags hostage until you see the dealer. And the way the parts are designed makes it very complicated to disassemble and replace stuff, essentially forcing you to hand over $$$ to a specialist (or buy an extended warranty).

 

The Japanese do a much better job (after watching and learning from German failures) but wear-and-tear (and corrosion, in more hostile climates) will take its toll on even the most reliable motors and switches. It took 13 years for the power lock motors on one of my parents' Lexuses to fail - impressive durability by anyone's standards, but still a failure.

 

I love my high-tech cars, and will never give up things like my backup camera, parking sensors, and memory seats, but some things are best left to the KISS principle, especially when they control the most vital functions. I definitely want to avoid my suspension failing on me!