Testing the Ford Focus Wagon 1.0 EcoBoost Hybrid

© Martijn Tilma

For contracting new company cars ASTRON leased several vans for LOFAR maintenance. These 4x4 vans are customized in France with a raised limited slip differential. In this way our colleagues can reach the LOFAR without any problems.

Our main car, substitute of the Skoda, would originally be a diesel take into account that gasoline powered cars give to much interference with our data. But currently the diesel car we attend to lease is not available.

Taking advance of the situation, in January 2022 Menno and I were given the opportunity to borrow a mild hybrid car in consultation with the lease company. In this way Menno could test if this hybrid car gave any interference. The result is visible in the image above; the diamond shape represents the car which was giving no interference. For comparison; the circle represents a lamp of which was known that it would give interference. Conclusion is that this car is approved for LOFAR visiting!

This car will make his entrance at Astron on the 14th of March after a period of long waiting due the material shortages.