We’ve driven enough cars to know that bad cupholders can be just as annoying as a clunky shifter or complicated infotainment system. Whether they’re too small, too big, or not deep enough, it’s a problem everyone comes across from time to time.
Fortunately, Ford recognizes our pain and takes cupholders seriously. Very seriously, as seen in this new video. Its cupholders undergo rigorous testing to ensure they can fit hundreds of different types of cups and bottles and keep them from spilling.
In the “Rollercoaster Test,” the folks at Ford drive cars on a track in Merkenich, Germany and find out how well prototype cupholders perform in demanding circumstances. The hundreds of cups are subjected to 5g forces in their cupholders, equivalent to the experience of riding a rollercoaster. Drivers test the cupholders at full acceleration, at high speed, on the test track, and on the slalom. Not only do they undergo track testing, but part of Ford’s new model development process involves testing cupholders for one million miles on public roads.
“For drivers, being able to easily reach for a favourite drink is a fundamental part of a comfortable journey,”said Martin Dawid, manager of Body Engineering for Ford of Europe, in a release. “But more than that, staying hydrated on the move helps drivers stay focused on the road ahead.”
Citing data from the Loughborough University in the U.K., Ford says that drivers who are dehydrated make the same number of errors as those who have had enough to drink.
The painstaking process of cupholder testing looks almost comical, but we can all appreciate the potential benefits behind the work. Watch the video below to see Ford test its cupholders.
Source: Ford
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