Gallery: Ford's 'Diabolical' Testing Grounds Feature Potholes From Around the World

  • Image may contain Path Walkway Car Automobile Transportation Vehicle Asphalt Tarmac Road Dirt Road and Gravel
    Ford
    01

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-09.jpg

    At its Lommel Proving Ground in Belgium, Ford has laid down 50 miles of test tracks.
  • Image may contain Car Transportation Vehicle Automobile Offroad Puddle and Sports Car
    Ford
    02

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-08.jpg

    The proving grounds serve up more than 100 challenging surfaces.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Car Transportation Automobile Symbol Wheel and Machine
    Ford
    03

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-07.jpg

    After all, Ford sells car all over the world, and its customers face varied challenges, from French cobblestone streets to Brazilian speed bumps.
  • Image may contain Road Asphalt Tarmac Freeway and Highway
    Ford
    04

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-01.jpg

    All the roads are modeled after real terrain from 25 different countries.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Sign Symbol Road Sign Wheel and Machine
    Ford
    05

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-06.jpg

    Ford engineers scoured roads in Austria, France, Russia, Australia, South America and beyond, all to find model-worthy hazards.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Car Transportation Automobile Offroad Wheel and Machine
    Ford
    06

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-05.jpg

    The result is kind of like Disney World’s “It’s a Small World” ride, but instead of having that song stuck in their head, Ford’s engineers come away with sore rear ends.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Automobile Car Spoke Machine Tire Wheel Alloy Wheel Car Wheel and Road
    Ford
    07

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-04.jpg

    They drive over these roads at up to 46 mph, in cars equipped with seismology-inspired equipment to register the strains to the suspension and other components.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Symbol Sign Road Sign and Road
    Ford
    08

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-02.jpg

    Ford’s goal is to make vehicles that can handle the world’s crappiest roads without falling apart.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Car Automobile Spoke Machine Wheel Alloy Wheel Tire and Car Wheel
    Ford
    09

    Ford2016-Potholes-Lommel-10.jpg

    To ease the jarring pain of driving through potholes that could be mistaken for craters, Ford’s new Fusion V6 Sport sedan now offers a computer-controlled shock absorber system.
Read More
Get the Most Out of Your iPad With These Accessories
Kit out your Apple tablet with our favorite stands, cases, keyboards, and styli.
Julian Chokkattu
Finally, Some Affordable Laptops That Won’t Fail You in College
Laptops for college should be portable, offer long battery life, and remain reasonably affordable. Based on testing hundreds of laptops, these are my top picks.
Luke Larsen
The Other Major Soccer Event of 2026? The Shake-Up in the World of Video Games
The 48-team World Cup is not the only historic soccer event this year. Four titans are vying for control of video game soccer in the fiercest battle the industry has ever seen.
Javier Rodríguez
This World Cup, You Can Watch the Game From a Ref’s Point of View
Referees for the 2026 World Cup will be wearing cameras positioned at their temples, allowing TV audiences to see a live view of the pitch from a vantage point they never have before.
Ben Dowsett
Amnesty International Warns That World Cup Fans Face Potential Human Rights Violations
The organization claims that the FIFA tournament could have impacts on the rights of local people and visiting soccer fans in all three host countries.
Fernanda González
Mapping Every Flock License Plate Reader Near US World Cup Stadiums
Most US World Cup stadiums are surrounded by surveillance cameras. Want to know if you’re being watched on your way to a match? These maps will help you.
Maddy Varner
Artificial Intelligence Sneaks Into the World Cup Thanks to Google Gemini
The Argentine national team will be Google’s test bench and technological showcase during the World Cup.
Rosa Jiménez Cano
The World Cup’s Trionda Ball Challenges Traditional Aerodynamics
According to new research, Trionda would show less unpredictable movements in actions such as corner kicks or free kicks. However, in powerful and long-distance clearances it would lose range.
Fernanda González
How to Watch the 2026 World Cup
The games start June 11 and end with a grand finale in New Jersey on July 19. There are 104 of them. Here’s how to watch ’em all.
Boone Ashworth
Soccer Fans, You’re Being Watched
From anti-drone tech to face recognition, 2026 World Cup stadiums in the US, Canada, and Mexico are subjecting fans to an array of surveillance tech. Here’s what you need to know.
Vas Panagiotopoulos
Surfshark Promo Codes for June 2026
Save up to 87% with a Surfshark coupon code, 3 months of VPN free today, and more from WIRED.
Scott Gilbertson
Top Best Buy Discount Codes and Deals: Save up to 60%
Find the latest Best Buy promo codes and offers, including 10% back in rewards for new cardmembers and free 2-day shipping with My Best Buy Plus, here at WIRED.
Ryan Waniata