New Steels Give Little Guys Muscles
With the advent of advanced high strength and high strength steels, steel is no longer seen as the "heavy" material relegated to the larger classes of autos and massive SUVs. Proof of the rise of these high tech stars is the fact that automakers are increasingly using these steels in the newest of their small urban utility vehicles to increase safety and performance while keeping their price tags low. Consequently, these small vehicles are no longer considered the "econoboxes" as their early predecessors, but have become safe, affordable and environmentally responsible modes of transportation.
For instance, the Ford Fusion, based on the Fiesta and a cousin to the Mazda Demio, safeguards its occupants with its Intelligent Protection System, as touted at the vehicleís Hong Kong launch this October. A vault-like high strength steel shell surrounds passengers backed up by a rigid body structure manufactured from optimized tailored blanks. They work hand-in-glove with twin front dual stage front airbags that deploy at different rates according to the severity of impact. Fusion's safety cell also features the infamous steel crumple zones to absorb crash energy.
A new generation of Fordís European darling, the Ka (renamed the StreetKa) is reinforced with high strength steel rollover hoops, side-impact beams, energy-absorbing crumple zones and a steel safety cage with an engine compartment cross beam.
As well, GM is launching its new Aveo to grab a piece of the entry-level small car market that is increasingly filled by Korean builders. GMís emphasis on this new econo was superior workmanship, for which this segment is not traditionally known. Consequently, not only does this vehicle feature some big-car amenities, but it was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaroís Italdesign Studio in Turin, Italy, with 46% of its structural components produced with high-strength steel to help create a solid structure. Tailor-welded blanks are used in the production of the vehicle to put strength where needed while saving weight.
And the new Volvo V50, though not an "econo" but a compact sportswagon, is packed with safety features made possible by advanced and high strength applications. To learn more about the V50, see the article in this magazine.
Steel advancements are making it possible to design safe vehicles that meet the demand for small urban dynamos that keep people safe. These vehicles increase fuel efficiencies and provide the attributes needed to drive in todayís urban jungles.
