Ford Motor Company is introducing a new generation of steering technology that should help make Blue Oval vehicles easier to maneuver at low speeds and more agile and fun to drive at high speeds. Neatly housed entirely within the steering wheel, Adaptive Steering will make its debut in 2015 on select Ford Motor Company products.
The Adaptive Steering system uses a precision-controlled actuator – an electric motor and gearing system – that can essentially add to or subtract from a driver’s steering inputs. Ford claims driving experience at all speeds is improved, regardless of a vehicle size’s size or purpose.
“First and foremost, all Ford Motor Company products have to offer a great driving experience. This new steering technology can make any vehicle easier to maneuver and more fun to drive,” says Ford group vice president, Global Product Development, Raj Nair.
Ford characterizes Adaptive Steering as changing “the ratio between the driver’s actions at the steering wheel – the number of turns – and how much the front wheels turn.” In other words, most vehicles have a a fixed steering ratio, but a vehicle equipped with Adaptive Steering has a steering ratio that continually changes with vehicle speed. This helps steering response in just about any kind of driving condition. Click here to see Adaptive Steering in action.
Although Ford says it will make its debut in select models in 2015, the company hasn’t indicated which models just yet. Stay with Motrolix for updates on model availability when it happens.
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