2004 Ford Windstar Details Announced

DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 7, 2002; The Ford Windstar, the only minivan with the U.S. government's highest frontal crash test rating for seven straight years, is being redesigned for the 2004-model year -- taking safety to an even higher level and creating an all-new interior highlighted by a no-hassle, fold-into-the-floor third-row seat.

Today, Ford is offering the media a preview of the upcoming product.

When it goes on sale in the fall of 2003, the next-generation Windstar will add side curtain airbags for all three full rows, making it the only minivan in the market to offer this level of safety technology.

"When you're designing a minivan, you're creating a vehicle for families, so you better have your priorities straight," said Chris Theodore, vice president of North America Product Development. "Our priorities are inside the cabin with the family."

Windstar has led in safety since its debut in 1995.

It now has more than 40 standard safety features, plus Ford's Personal Safety System, the most comprehensive suite of safety technologies in a minivan.

All New Interior and Refined Exterior

The next-generation Windstar will feature a completely redesigned interior from the instrument panel to the fold-into-the-floor third row seat. The instrument panel features a distinctive instrument cluster and a logical and eminently ergonomically laid-out array of climate control and audio controls.

A new standard fold-flat third-row seat is designed to fit neatly into the vehicle's floor, eliminating the need to remove the heavy seat and store it while not in use. When folded, the seat drops into a recess in the floor of the minivan leaving a completely flat load floor.

Windstar Today

The next-generation Windstar has as its foundation a wide range of safety and comfort improvements developed for the 2003-model year. New this year are:

AdvanceTrac(TM) electronic stability enhancement system Interior sound quality improvements Aerodynamic side mirrors Thicker driver and passenger side windows Painted front and rear fascias on all models The available AdvanceTrac(TM) electronic stability enhancement system helps to actively assist vehicle handling by sensing when a vehicle is entering a skid. The system selectively applies individual brakes and reduces engine power as necessary to help the driver maintain stability.

Windstar also adds more refinement in 2003 with new, more aerodynamic side view mirrors, beltline moldings and B-pillar appliques designed to reduce wind turbulence along the sides of the vehicle. Thicker (0.2 inch) side glass is used in the front doors to reduce side wind noise. In addition, engineers worked to reduce wind noise transmitted through the bulkhead into the cabin by improving sealing techniques in the manufacturing facility.

The result is a quieter, more pleasant cabin, especially at highway speeds.

Comfort and Convenience

Today's Windstar offers power adjustable brake and accelerator pedals, which allow shorter drivers to find the optimal driving position. A memory package allows up to three drivers to set positions for the driver's seat, exterior mirrors and the adjustable accelerator and brake pedals.

Windstar's available dual power-sliding doors allow convenient entry and exit from both sides of the vehicle. Windstar features an optional Autovision(TM) Video Entertainment System, which provides video for rear-seat passengers. The system has a 6.4-inch color monitor that swings down from the overhead console, as well as a removable videocassette player. The system provides stereo sound through the vehicle speakers or headphones.

Driving Experience

Windstar features a standard 3.8-liter V-6 engine with split-port induction, delivering 200 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 240 foot-pounds of torque at 3,600 rpm. A 26-gallon fuel tank gives Windstar up to a 500-mile highway cruising range. Windstar is classified as an ultra low-emission vehicle in all 50 states.

Windstar has front disc/rear drum brakes with a standard four-wheel anti- lock braking system.

Safety and Security

Ford's Personal Safety System(TM) enhances Windstar's safety package. This system analyzes several frontal crash factors and determines the proper response in milliseconds. The system uses dual-stage driver and front- passenger air bags that provide the capability of deploying the air bags at full or partial power. In less severe frontal crashes, air bags inflate with reduced force -- or not at all -- helping reduce the risk of injury due to the inflation of the air bag. The system helps to make sure the appropriate level of air bag pressure is used.

The system uses an electronic crash severity sensor, a restraint control module, driver's seat position sensor, safety-belt pretensioners, energy management retractors and front outboard safety belt usage sensors to help protect the driver and front passenger in certain frontal collisions. The system's pretensioners tighten the front safety belts in the first moments of a crash, and energy management retractors gradually slacken the safety belt if necessary to help reduce the force of the belt on the occupant's chest.

The Personal Safety System(TM) on Windstar includes a front-passenger seat sensor. This sensor can automatically turn off the passenger front air bag and side air bag (if equipped).

Other key Windstar safety and security features available today include:

Crash severity sensor, integrated front safety belt pretensioners, energy management retractors, safety belt usage sensors, driver's seat position sensor and seamless steering wheel cover Low tire pressure warning system standard Available heated mirrors with integrated turn signals Industry-first sliding door opening alert strobe Self-sealing 16-inch tires available Child-seat restraint anchorage system Standard Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children, or LATCH Side air bags available SecuriLock(TM) passive anti-theft system standard; remote keyless entry standard on four-door models