Although unveiled on the company’s cross-over Soul the patented system can be easily extended to all the company’s vehicles and will even be available as a bolt-on accessory for vehicles already in use.
The system relies on small sensors built into the front and rear bumpers which monitor external wind speed and deploy panels when the wind is sufficient to provide additional directional impetus according to the car’s behaviour.
The company claims that during windy weather fuel consumption can be reduced by up to 25 per cent and emissions by anything up 40 per cent. Even in calm weather using the system simply under braking can result in reductions of 10 per cent and 15 per cent respectively.
The new system — acronymed as APRIL — will be available on all vehicles ordered after midnight on March 31, 2010 and the accessory pack will be available the following day. Prices will be announced in due course.
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