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Ford Details Adaptive Steering System

The American car manufacturer dropped the first details of its all-new generation steering technology. Slated to be incorporated across the Ford lineup within 12 months, the revamped system improves steering feel at all speeds, but also makes the vehicle easier to maneuver in all driving conditions.
Ford Adaptive Steering 1 photo
Photo: Ford
All the brand spanking new bits and bobs are housed entirely within the steering wheel. Basically, the improved Ford Adaptive Steering system changes the ratio between the driver's steering wheel input (the number of lock-to-lock turns) and how much the front wheels turn.

As opposed to vehicles equipped with fixed steering ratios, adaptive steering continually changes the ratio with the vehicle speed. In city traffic or when parking into tight spaces, the new system makes the vehicle more agile and easier to turn at low speeds, dialing more steering angle to the front wheels and less driver effort.

Step out of the city and at highway speeds the system optimizes steering response accordingly, enabling the vehicle to react more precisely and smoother to the driver's input. Using a precision-controlled actuator fitted inside the steering wheel, this component essentially adds to or subtracts from a driver's steering input.

Developed by Ford in collaboration with automotive steering systems supplier Takata, the Adaptive Steering system will be available on select vehicles beginning next year. Scroll down and press play to see it in action.

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About the author: Mircea Panait
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After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well.
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