1982 Ford Probe IV

Future Ford Probe show cars were far more adventurous. The 1983 Probe IV was an amazingly aerodynamic yet practical hatchback. Its Cd figure of 0.15 was spectacular, achieved by wheels covered by urethane "membranes", meticulous airflow management and a spoiler at the base of the windscreen. The ultimate Probe V of a few years later extended the aerodynamic theme still further.

Probe IV was in fact the third example of the Probe series. Probe II never appeared and Probe III was a concept created for Ford Europe which saw some of its features incorporated in the Merkur XR4Ti.

Probe IV advanced the state of aerodynamic art at Ford to a new level, going to great lengths to make its surfaces as smooth as possible and present the minimum frontal area. A low ride height minimized undercar airflow and the Probe IV went to the extent of creating a speed sensitive ride height and attitude system. Probe IV could assume a pronounced nose-down attitude at speed. In fact, the back of Probe IV could rise six inches while at the same time the nose dropped four inches at high speed, improving its stability and air penetration. The front air dam was also electrically controlled, compensating for attitude changes and driver controllable to compensate for rough surfaces.

Headlights were under plastic covers. Side windows were flush in their frames with small power operated panels at the bottom for ventilation and paying tolls. The radiator and air conditioning compressor were located at the rear in order to eliminate a high drag radiator opening in the front (or nose). A full belly pan smoothed the limited undercar airflow that the air dam and attitude control let through and the tires were specially-developed for Probe IV, skinny P155/75R-16 LDC Goodyear tires that even had a low drag tread pattern. Even the identification and emblems were flush with the Probe IV surface. The only interruption to exterior air flow were the outside mirrors, which were in faired-in and sharply swept back enclosures.

Mechanical innovations were required to meet Probe IV requirements including a highly sophisticated short MacPherson strut front suspension. Its front engine, rear drive chassis was powered by a 1.6 liter 4-cylinder turbocharged engine which was canted 70 degrees to the side to lower the hood.

One of Probe IV's most distinctive features are its fully-skirted wheels and tires which utilize membranes between the outer covers and the body. The membranes flex when the front wheels are turned and allow Probe IV to be driven normally, but drastically reduce wheel well turbulence and resulting aero drag.

The occupants of Probe IV sit in specially designed grey velour 'sling' style seats designed to provide lumbar and thigh support in a semi-reclining position which saves 1½ inches in roof height. Instruments are placed directly in front of the driver with other controls in elaborate black panels with white legends on each side of the wheel. The top of the single-spoke steering wheel is transparent. The transmission shifter and additional controls are placed on the center console.

Probe IV achieved a drag coefficient of 0.152, the same as the F-16 fighter, an extraordinary accomplishment particularly in view of its comfortable internal accommodations for four.

PROBE IV AERODYNAMIC INNOVATIONS – Ford Motor Company’s sleek aerodynamic concept car achieved its record-breaking .15 coefficient of drag with several important engineering innovations. (Top left) The turbocharged 1.0-liter CVH engine is tilted at a 70-degree angle so that it will fit under the low sloping hood. (Top right) To eliminate the air drag of front air apertures, the radiator and air conditioning condenser are housed in the rear of the car with air intake vents located aft of the rear well openings. Power fans draw air into the vents and exhaust it out the rear, which also helps reduce negative air turbulence in that area of the vehicle. (Bottom left) To eliminate a turbulence in the front fender wells and still allow the wheels to turn for steering, a flexible front fender skirt was developed by Goodyear. A stationary skirt or cap mounted over the wheels keeps the rotating wheels from contacting the flexible membranes. (Bottom right) At high speeds a front air dam automatically deploys reducing front road clearance to three inches to control air flow under the vehicle. The air dam has a manual override to raise it for operating on rough roads or for faster driving.