Jul

Video: Ford shows off 2011 Explorer air leak and panel gap tests

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Videos, Ford, Design/Style

2011 Ford Explorer goes through air leak testing – Click above to watch video after the jump

Today’s vehicles are quieter than ever, and while that’s partially thanks to new computer modeling techniques, it also has plenty to do with repeated testing of each and every vehicle seal. For every door, hatch and window, some engineer has slaved tirelessly to make sure everything fits together just as it should. Ford has been kind enough to roll out a couple of videos showing that exact process on its forthcoming 2011 Explorer. The company uses some pretty high-tech equipment to take accurate measurements on panel gaps and detect potential air leak issues before the vehicle even goes through paint.

Watching the engineers play with their toys is entertaining and all, but we were most interested in what engineer Matt Machala had to say about just how much more stringent Ford’s standards have grown over the past three years. It may mean boatloads of extra work for the company’s employees, but from what we’ve seen of their product of late, there’s no denying the impact those hours have had on the company’s finished product. Hit the jump to see the videos for yourself. Hot tip, Sam!

Gallery: 2011 Ford Explorer Teasers