Exclusive: Live shots of the Ford Hydrogen Fusion 999
Cilck on the Hydrogen Fusion 999 for a high res gallery of the reveal
Ford unveiled the Hydrogen Fusion 999 (formerly known as the fusion XV1) at their Dearborn Development Center today during a presentation of their recent concept and technology demonstration vehicles. The example on display is the non-running aerodynamic buck that was used for wind tunnel work over the past several months. The development team took a stock Fusion body shell and lowered the drag coefficient from 0.34 on the production car to 0.21.
Through tricks like lowering the car, adding a full belly pan and completely sealing off the front openings of the body, they have created a vehicle that they hope to propel to over 200mph next month at the Bonneville salt flats. With the sealed front end Ford will use ice bath cooling to keep temperatures under control out on the salt. The actual running Fusion is currently on the dyno before hitting the track this weekend. The Fusion 999 is named after the Ford 999 racer that Barney Oldfield used to capture the land speed record at 91.37mph back in 1904. This time around retired Ford engineer and Bonneville 200mph Club veteran Rick Byrnes will be at the helm when they make their record attempt. Stay tuned for more details in the coming days.
Gallery: Ford Hydrogen Fusion 999
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[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Joseph 9:40PM (7/11/2007)
Drag of coefficient of .21 !!!
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1985 Gripen 12:53AM (7/11/2007)
Are you SURE they started with a regular Ford Fusion body? The pictures look like they took a custom carbon-fiber shell and painted the headlights and grill on like a NASCAR.
I know the article claims that the one in the pics is the aerodynamic test model, but it sure doesn't look like all the front openings were "sealed-off", it looks to me like it's "painted-on".
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Joe 2:47PM (7/11/2007)
It clearly has numerous body panels as the gaps can be seen between them. Obviously it will look more NASCAR-like as they smooth out the aerodynamics. If I filled in the front air gaps it would be noticeable, but Ford has the resources to do so and make it look very nice.
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Jacob Sloan 2:54PM (7/11/2007)
Quote:
The example on display is the non-running aerodynamic buck that was used for wind tunnel work over the past several months.
Therefore, of course it can be painted on. though I imagine the real thing, even closed off, will have some additional drag.
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