Ford Windstar 2001 Takes Safety To The Next Level

DETROIT, MI., OCT. 2, 2000—The 2001 Windstar is about to give parents, owners, and occupants more peace of mind then ever before. The 2001 Windstar will begin arriving in Ford dealer showrooms across the country the first week of October. The 2001 Windstar builds on Ford's commitment to safety and security by introducing an advanced occupant restraint system as well as stability control technology.

The Personal Safety System analyzes several front crash factors and determines the proper response---all in milliseconds.

The system's air bag control module receives data from several sources. A front crash severity sensor detects the severity of the impact, a driver's seat position sensor determines where the seat is located and front-seat safety belt usage sensors determine whether the safety belts are being used. Based on this input the system determines at what level the dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags should deploy....if at all.

If deployment does occur, safety belt energy management retractors work in conjunction with pretensioners to help smooth an occupant's forward motion into the deploying air bag, which reduces the risk of a restraint-caused injury. Also standard is a Low Tire Warning System.

"In mid-year 2001, Windstar will offer the AdvanceTrac Interactive Vehicle Dynamics System," said Jim Townsend, Marketing Manager Ford Division. "The interactive yaw control system helps improve vehicle stability by sensing when oversteer or understeer in extreme driving situations may send the vehicle out of control," said Townsend.

In 1999 Windstar was the first vehicle in the industry to achieve a quadruple five-star rating in federal government front- and side-impact crash tests. The front and side ratings are based on protection for the driver and front passenger, and side ratings for the second-row passengers (ratings based on four-door models with optional side-impact air bags.)

Windstar also has front disc/rear drum brakes with a four-wheel Antilock Braking System (ABS) for added steering control in hard braking situations. Windstar also offers All-Speed Traction Control that helps the driver maintain traction and steering control on slippery surfaces.

Windstar's front-wheel drive layout provides traction benefits and also contributes to a spacious interior. A 26-gallon fuel tank gives Windstar a 500-mile highway cruising range.

Windstar is manufactured in Oakville, Ontario, Canada.