Quote:
|
Originally Posted by buschman
When did the FEH first come out? I suppose you wont see much modding till after the warranties wear out. But it doesn't hurt to ask.
|
I would be extremely surprised, as the FEH has been out for only two years (ish; probably more like a year and a half). Also, given the complexity and how most of the essential systems are tied into one another, I'd be willing to bet that most people who do mod their cars are going to stay away from this vehicle, at least for now, because of that.
Even if you could tweak the battery or the motor to give more power, you'd have to change all four computer control systems to reflect those changes, and change all the directives and protocols for its running and recharging activities as well as it's power allocations. Same goes for the engine, you make some changes to alter how it runs, and you may find yourself in a situation where the computers don't allocate energy any more wisely, leaving you either less effecient or worse.
There seems to be a general consensus by automakers that future hybrids will have an alterable software/hardware packages to allow the driver to determine how the hybrid systems works, either more fuel efficient and conservative for those great MPGs or more towards power and performance, and to make the changes as the driver sees fit.
Now, that's not to say that no one is working on any. There is a group (In San Francisco as I recall) that offers adding plug in power sources to extend the vehicles EV capacities, as they have already for other hybrids. This invalidates all warranties, but they're aiming to add a 100 mile EV capacity to the FEH, though even now they're still in the developmental phase of the modification. Though, as pointed out at the FEH Experience, that the weight of such addons usually cancel out most of the bonus range.
But outside of interior comforts, tires, and other such things, no I don't think you'll find anyone who's been tinkering much under the hood. At least for now I think most people will trust the Ford Engineers to have designed the systems to their utmost abilties for both longevity and performance.