The secrets behind the new Ford Flex's ultra-quiet ride can be traced to a nondescript test facility in Allen Park that houses a giant 23-foot fan capable of blowing wind up to 100 mph. It was in Wind Tunnel 8 at the Jacobs's Technology Driveability Test Facility where Flex engineers spent months measuring, pinpointed and mitigated wind noise inside the Flex cabin. The teams employed microphone-equipped mannequins inside the cabin and special tape on the exterior to spot to detect the smallest imperfection that could lead to wind noise. As a result, the Flex, which hits showrooms this summer, delivers a quieter ride than competitors including the Acura MDX, Toyota Highlander and GMC Acadia, according to internal testing.
What about when your driving on the free way and you hear your tires?
5packzach 3 years ago 3