MELBOURNE, Australia, September 14, 2023 – The new Ford Everest is designed to offer customers its most refined and comfortable interior ever thanks to innovative aerodynamic design that helps keep wind noise out and cabin conversations down to a comfortable level.

“We wanted Everest to be rugged on the outside and a peaceful on the inside,” said David Grice, chief platform engineer, Ranger and Everest. “We wanted the driver to be able to have a conversation with those all the way back in the third row without raising their voice – so we spent a lot of time on finding ways to eliminate unwanted sources of cabin noise.”

Wind noise is one of the biggest culprits of cabin noise and by devising ingenuous ways of channel air over and around the car, Ford’s Noise, Vibration and Harshness teams were able to reduce cabin noise. They achieved this by using a range of conventional wind tunnels and advanced computer simulations to identify and test the effect of variations in turbulence causing wind noise.

“With extensive and cutting-edge computer-aided engineering (CAE) modelling, the Ford team of engineers ensured wind noise was reduced and spread evenly across the vehicle to achieve easy conversation and improve passenger comfort.”

A quiet cabin not only means a more refined ride for Everest customers, but it also means they arrive at their destination refreshed and ready to go, according to Grice.

Improving vehicle refinement

Automakers spend hundreds of hours inside wind tunnels, using computers, microphones, and their ears to help reduce wind noise on vehicles.

“Wind noise is one of those things that customers see as a marker of vehicle refinement,” said Mark Thompson, PhD, Ford Australia Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) engineer, Ranger and Everest. “We spent a lot of time on Everest studying turbulence and the ‘wind noise’ it generates with the aim of improving vehicle refinement.”

According to Dr. Thompson, a big, broad-shouldered SUV like the Everest is not always the easiest to work with when it comes to reducing wind noise. But, by working with their colleagues in Aerodynamics and Design, the NVH team was able to deploy some clever enhancements to reduce the amount of wind noise that can be heard inside Everest with the windows up.

Reducing wind noise

The front windscreen, side windows and wing mirrors are key focus points when it comes to improving wind noise, said Thompson.

“Any time you have turbulent air interacting, say, on a front windscreen, you’ll get noise.”

To ensure turbulent air moves as quickly across the windscreen as possible, Thompson said the team designed a ‘ski ramp’ in the bonnet at the base of the windscreen. This subtle lip helps to compress the turbulence and accelerate airflow over the windscreen, reducing the wind noise heard inside the cabin.

Similarly, the shape of the A-pillar gutter was altered, and the overall height of Everest’s A-pillar was reduced. “This helps in reducing wind noise heard in the cabin,” said Thompson.

“We also looked at how the door sits in relation to the A-pillar and, together with Design, we ensured it sat slightly behind the leading edge of the A-pillar which helped to reduce wind noise from the door margins.”

The team didn’t stop there, said Thompson, it also looked at the shape of Everest’s wing mirror, which is generally a major source of wind noise on vehicles. “We worked with Aerodynamics and Design to develop a shape that all teams would be happy with,” said Thompson.

“We added some curvature to the trailing edge of the mirror sail. This, combined with all the other little tweaks, helped to reduce, and better spread wind noise across Everest making it a quieter, more relaxing vehicle for the driver and passengers,” concluded Thompson.

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_{About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan, committed to helping build a better world, where every person is free to move and pursue their dreams. The company’s Ford+ plan for growth and value creation combines existing strengths, new capabilities and always-on relationships with customers to enrich experiences for customers and deepen their loyalty. Ford develops and delivers innovative, must-have Ford trucks, sport utility vehicles, commercial vans and cars and Lincoln luxury vehicles, along with connected services. The company does that through three customer-centered business segments: Ford Blue, engineering iconic gas-powered and hybrid vehicles; Ford Model e, inventing breakthrough EVs along with embedded software that defines exceptional digital experiences for all customers; and Ford Pro, helping commercial customers transform and expand their businesses with vehicles and services tailored to their needs. Additionally, Ford is pursuing mobility solutions through Ford Next, and provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. Ford employs about 177,000 people worldwide. More information about the company and its products and services is available at corporate.ford.com.}