2001 Ford Windstar - Canada's best-selling full-size minivan, preserves safety leadership with more innovative "firsts"
NEW YORK, April 19, 2000 – Building on its record as Canada's best-selling full-size minivan, Windstar for 2001 adds dual-stage advanced airbags – part of Ford's much-lauded Personal Safety System (PSS) – and adds stability control to an already impressive list of safety firsts.
Unveiled today at the New York International Auto Show and sporting freshened styling cues that impart new "attitude" to Ford's popular minivan, the 2001 Windstar also raises the bar by adding more customer convenience "firsts", including:
- Windstar is the first minivan with power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals.
- First featured in 1999, Windstar is still the only minivan with a reverse sensing system.
- For 2001, Windstar offers an optional factory-installed rear seat entertainment system with roof-mounted, flip-down 6.4-inch LCD that features a removable video player.
- Side mirrors, incorporating amber LED turn signal lights, also signals rear-approaching drivers when either or both sliding doors are ajar and passengers may be exiting.
- The 2001 Windstar is now available with unique 2nd row removable bucket seats and integrated console for improved seating and cargo flexibility.
"This impressive list of safety and convenience features demonstrates our ongoing commitment to respond to customer needs and wants," says Dean Stoneley, Ford of Canada's brand manager for Windstar. "With Canada's diverse climate, the new available AdvanceTrac stability control system delivers new levels of control in all types of weather and driving situations.
"It's no wonder that Ford Windstar – with nearly 56,000 sales in 1999 – has been Canada's best-selling full-size minivan for six years running."
Windstar is the only minivan to earn a double five star rating, the U.S. government’s highest front crash test ratings, for six consecutive years. With optional side airbags added in 1999, it became the first vehicle in the industry to earn quadruple five-star status. These ratings now combine with Ford’s advanced Personal Safety System, AdvanceTracTM interactive vehicle dynamics system and LATCH child seat anchor system for unequalled driving security.
SAFETY/SECURITY FEATURES
The 2001 Ford Windstar continues its "Safety First, Family Driven" philosophy with significant new as well as familiar carryover safety and security features:
· All-new Personal Safety System standard
- New crash severity sensor, integrated safety belt pretensioners, energy management retractors, safety belt usage sensors, driver's seat position sensor and seamless steering wheel cover
- New dual-stage front air bags
· All-new AdvanceTracTM interactive vehicle dynamics system available (mid-year introduction)
· New heated signal mirrors available (minivan first)
- Industry-first sliding door opening alert strobe feature
· Self sealing tires now available in 16-inch tires (previously available on 15-inch sizes)
· Improved head restraints on driver and front row passenger bucket seats
· Child seat restraint anchorage system standard
- Snap-in, ISOFix-style Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren, (LATCH) – a minivan first when introduced in August 1999 – means Windstar owners will be ready when compatible child safety seats are introduced in Canada
· Side airbags available on all models (standard on SEL and Limited)
· SecuriLockTM passive anti-theft system standard; remote keyless entry standard on all models
AdvanceTracTM : A NEW "SIXTH SENSE" IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Windstar will also be the first minivan to offer an interactive vehicle dynamics system, marketed as AdvanceTracTM. A "sixth sense" for drivers who encounter a variety of emergency situations, the system enhances stability in extreme driving conditions when drivers misjudge speed or road conditions.
AdvanceTracTM computers determine the presence of excessive "yaw" (forces trying to spin the vehicle) by comparing steering wheel angles to data from a variety of dynamics sensors including vehicle speed, wheel speed and lateral acceleration. The system applies braking to the appropriate wheel(s) and, if necessary, reduces engine torque to help counteract cases of oversteer or understeer and works in concert with the vehicle's traction control and anti-lock braking systems to deliver enhanced control in a variety of conditions.
DESIGN
Safety, space and value are Ford Motor Company’s hallmarks in the minivan segment. Responding to customers, a new term has been added to this list: ‘style’.
Windstar’s new front fascia design breaks away from minivan tradition to offer customers a fresher look. The new Sport has driving lamps integrated into the new fascia and also offers new tire and wheel offerings to appeal to an audience that demands more fun from an already functional and safe vehicle. A roof-mounted rear spoiler completes the front-to-back attitude change.
The new offering joins an already impressive lineup that includes the base LX, SEL and the recently-introduced Limited model. Again responding to customers' needs and wants, all Canadian 2001 Windstars will all be equipped with four doors.
While the Sport package appeals to brand-demanding Generation X families, Windstar Limited offers more standard creature comforts – a new level of luxury – for baby boomers, who are rewarding themselves for their own hard work.
Windstar Limited offers a standard Personal Profile System that for the first time "remembers" power adjustable pedals, seat and mirror settings for two drivers. This upscale minivan also offers standard heated seats sewn in premium, butter-soft, two-tone leather and a combination wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel.
New styling features include:
· New front fascia and wheelcovers for base models
· New Sport series
- Unique 16-inch wheels, rocker cladding, rear spoiler and anodized aluminum roof rack,
- New Driving lamps, color-keyed bodyside moldings
- bright "Sport" badging
· SEL features
- Grille texture and standard 16" aluminum wheel design
- New four-spoke steering wheel and door trim accents from Sport model
· Limited model features
- New grille texture and wood/leather steering wheel
- New in-dash 6-disc CD-changer (a minivan first)
POWERTRAIN AND NVH (Noise, Vibration, Harshness) ENHANCEMENTS
Windstar for 2001 is redesigned for reduced noise level and improved sound quality, thanks to:
- Standard 3.8L OHV V6
- New fully counterweighted crankshaft, main bearing ladder brace and cast aluminum oil pan
- 200 horsepower at 4,900 rpm; 240 pounds-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm
- New 4F50N transmission with non-synchronous design for smoother shifting
- Front-end accessory drive stiffening
- Catalytic converter assembly bracing
- Improved sound package with denser padding material
- Cast dash panel sound absorber
Windstar’s upgraded optional AutovisionTM rear-entertainment system features a 6.4" liquid-crystal display (LCD) that folds down from the center roof to provide viewing for all rear-seat passengers. A portable VHS cassette video player opens up extra storage when removed from the vehicle.
Besides power adjustable pedals, six-disc in-dash CD radio and standard loose fuel-cap indicator, Windstar maintains segment-exclusive features like reverse sensing and the overhead-console conversation mirror that delivers a full view of all the seats without obstructing the rear view mirror. These exclusive features continue to resonate with Windstar owners, says Stoneley.
"Canadian minivan customers demand the ultimate in safety, security, driving dynamics and convenience features for their families. Windstar for 2001 once again establishes a new standard for minivans."
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