By adding several comfort, convenience, entertainment and safety items to its face-lifted Windstar for 2001, Ford hopes to maintain its strong sales record in the minivan market.
This will be no mean feat, since the iconic minivans from DaimlerChrysler get a serious makeover this fall and the triumvirate of GM vans (Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana) has also been revisited for 2001. All of these revised units should be ready to buy in September or thereabouts.
With Windstar, undoubtedly the sensible side of minivan buyers will nod gravely in appreciation of the Oakville-built vehicle's improved safety standards, which includes dual-stage front airbags and optional stability control and things like that.
But day-to-day driver appreciation is more likely to involve such things as the moveable pedals (a minivan first), a factory-installed video entertainment system, removable second row buckets with an integrated centre-console, and side mirrors with LED turn signal lights.
"This impressive list of safety and convenience features demonstrates our ongoing commitment to respond to customers' needs and wants," says Dean Stoneley, Ford Canada's brand manager for Windstar.
Stoneley is particularly excited about the debut of the optional AdvanceTrac stability control because, "With Canada's diverse climate, the new system delivers new levels of control in all types of weather and driving situations."
It is probably also worth noting that, should Windstar's level of control not be great enough to keep you from a crash, it is also 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 the optional side airbags it got in 1999, Windstar became the first vehicle in the industry to earn quadruple five star status, for side as well as front crash-worthiness.
Stoneley says the 2001 Ford Windstar continues its "Safety First, Family Driven" philosophy with "significant new as well as familiar carryover safety and security features," including:
Anyway, AdvanceTrac computers determine the presence of excessive "yaw" (forces trying to spin the vehicle) by comparing steering wheel angles to data from a variety of dynamic sensors including vehicle speed, wheel speed and lateral acceleration.
Stonely says, "The system applies braking to the appropriate wheel or wheels 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."
This kind of thing has proved quite useful on a number of sedans and coupes and should therefore prove to be similarly helpful on a minivan.
"Safety, space and value are Ford Motor Company's hallmarks in the minivan segment," Stonely says, and "responding to customers, a new term has been added to this list: style."
He says that, "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 change of attitude."
The new Sport model joins a lineup that includes the base LX, the SEL and the recently-introduced Limited model. "Again responding to customers' needs and wants," Stonely points out, "all Canadian 2001 Windstars will all be equipped with four doors."
Stonely claims that, while the Sport package "appeals to brand-demanding Generation X families, Windstar Limited offers more standard creature comforts -- a new level of luxury -- for 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 upscale, two-tone leather and a combination of wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel. New styling features include:
The Limited features a new grille texture and wood/leather steering wheel, and a new in-dash 6 discs CD-changer, which is also a minivan first.
Stonely says Ford has answered customers' demands for a better driving experience by attacking noise, vibration and harshness issues. So, he says, "Windstar for 2001 is redesigned to reduce noise level and improve sound quality, thanks to:
A portable VHS cassette video player also opens up extra storage when removed from the vehicle, Stonely says.
"Besides power adjustable pedals, 6 discs in-dash CD radio and standard loose fuel-cap indicator, Windstar maintains segment-exclusive features such as 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.
This will be no mean feat, since the iconic minivans from DaimlerChrysler get a serious makeover this fall and the triumvirate of GM vans (Chevrolet Venture, Oldsmobile Silhouette and Pontiac Montana) has also been revisited for 2001. All of these revised units should be ready to buy in September or thereabouts.
With Windstar, undoubtedly the sensible side of minivan buyers will nod gravely in appreciation of the Oakville-built vehicle's improved safety standards, which includes dual-stage front airbags and optional stability control and things like that.
But day-to-day driver appreciation is more likely to involve such things as the moveable pedals (a minivan first), a factory-installed video entertainment system, removable second row buckets with an integrated centre-console, and side mirrors with LED turn signal lights.
"This impressive list of safety and convenience features demonstrates our ongoing commitment to respond to customers' needs and wants," says Dean Stoneley, Ford Canada's brand manager for Windstar.
Stoneley is particularly excited about the debut of the optional AdvanceTrac stability control because, "With Canada's diverse climate, the new system delivers new levels of control in all types of weather and driving situations."
It is probably also worth noting that, should Windstar's level of control not be great enough to keep you from a crash, it is also 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 the optional side airbags it got in 1999, Windstar became the first vehicle in the industry to earn quadruple five star status, for side as well as front crash-worthiness.
Stoneley says the 2001 Ford Windstar continues its "Safety First, Family Driven" philosophy with "significant new as well as familiar carryover safety and security features," including:
- A Personal Safety System (PSP) with a 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;
- The AdvanceTrac interactive vehicle dynamics system;
- Optional heated signal mirrors;
- Sliding door opening alert strobe feature;
- Self-sealing tires in 16 inch sizes;
- Improved head restraints on driver and front row passenger bucket seats;
- A child seat restraint anchorage system standard;
- Side airbags available on all models, but standard on SEL and Limited;
- SecuriLock passive anti-theft system with remote keyless entry.
Anyway, AdvanceTrac computers determine the presence of excessive "yaw" (forces trying to spin the vehicle) by comparing steering wheel angles to data from a variety of dynamic sensors including vehicle speed, wheel speed and lateral acceleration.
Stonely says, "The system applies braking to the appropriate wheel or wheels 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."
This kind of thing has proved quite useful on a number of sedans and coupes and should therefore prove to be similarly helpful on a minivan.
"Safety, space and value are Ford Motor Company's hallmarks in the minivan segment," Stonely says, and "responding to customers, a new term has been added to this list: style."
He says that, "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 change of attitude."
The new Sport model joins a lineup that includes the base LX, the SEL and the recently-introduced Limited model. "Again responding to customers' needs and wants," Stonely points out, "all Canadian 2001 Windstars will all be equipped with four doors."
Stonely claims that, while the Sport package "appeals to brand-demanding Generation X families, Windstar Limited offers more standard creature comforts -- a new level of luxury -- for 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 upscale, two-tone leather and a combination of wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel. New styling features include:
- A front fascia and wheel covers for base models;
- The new Sport series;
- Unique 16 inch wheels, rocker cladding, rear spoiler and anodized aluminum roof rack;
- Driving lamps, color-keyed body side moldings;
- Bright "Sport" badge.
The Limited features a new grille texture and wood/leather steering wheel, and a new in-dash 6 discs CD-changer, which is also a minivan first.
Stonely says Ford has answered customers' demands for a better driving experience by attacking noise, vibration and harshness issues. So, he says, "Windstar for 2001 is redesigned to reduce noise level and improve sound quality, thanks to:
- Standard 3.8L OHV V6 with a new, fully counterweighted crankshaft, main bearing ladder brace and cast aluminum oil pan, all of which help the engine create 200 horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 240 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm.;
- A 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.
A portable VHS cassette video player also opens up extra storage when removed from the vehicle, Stonely says.
"Besides power adjustable pedals, 6 discs in-dash CD radio and standard loose fuel-cap indicator, Windstar maintains segment-exclusive features such as 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.
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