COLOGNE, Germany, Nov. 25, 2016 – As the first winter storms begin to hit, strong gusting winds provide an additional challenge to motorists, particularly those driving high-sided vehicles on the motorway.
That’s why all new Ford Transit and Transit Custom commercial vehicles are fitted as standard with a new technology that helps drivers stay in lane when their van is hit by a sudden crosswind or the turbulence created by a large truck.
Side Wind Stabilisation is an advanced feature that was developed by Ford engineers, and works by carefully applying the brakes on one side of the vehicle to reduce the effect of a side wind gust on the vehicle’s path.
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“No-one likes that feeling when your vehicle gets caught by a wind gust, or you are passing close to a fast-moving truck,” said Marc Suermann, chassis controls supervisor, Ford of Europe. “This new technology will help make motorway driving less stressful for Transit drivers, particularly on those dark and stormy winter days.”
At vehicle speeds over 80km/h (50mph), the Side Wind Stabilisation system monitors stability sensors 100 times per second. If a sudden gust is detected, the feature can become active within less than 200 milliseconds – the time it takes a sprinter to react to the starting pistol.
Ford engineers tested the new system at a special test track which uses six powerful fans to generate crosswinds of up to 80km/h, as well as on public roads in areas which are notorious for strong winds, such as the North Sea coast of the Netherlands.
The Side Wind Stabilisation technology is offered on Ford’s latest Transit and Transit Custom models that feature the state-of-the-art Ford EcoBlue diesel engine, delivering significant cost of ownership and performance benefits, with fuel efficiency improved by up to 13 per cent and low-end torque by 20 per cent.
Advanced new driver assistance features for both models also include the Pre-Collision Assist emergency braking system – the first in the segment to feature Pedestrian Detection technology – that reduces the severity of some frontal collisions involving vehicles and pedestrians, or helps drivers avoid some impacts altogether.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global automotive and mobility company based in Dearborn, Michigan. With about 203,000 employees and 62 plants worldwide, the company’s core business includes designing, manufacturing, marketing and servicing a full line of Ford cars, trucks and SUVs, as well as Lincoln luxury vehicles. To expand its business model, Ford is aggressively pursuing emerging opportunities with investments in electrification, autonomy and mobility. Ford provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For more information regarding Ford and its products and services, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 53,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and approximately 68,000 people when joint ventures and unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 24 manufacturing facilities (16 wholly owned or consolidated joint venture facilities and 8 unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
Contacts:
Peter Watt
Ford of Europe
+44 1268 401307
