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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Australian International Motor Show: Intelligent Bar for Territory

Staff, Thursday October 7, 2004.

Page 1 of 1

The Intelligent Bullbar System (IBS) has been designed and tested to be fully integrated with the award-winning Intelligent Safety System (ISS) in Territory and to preserve the integrity of the dual stage front airbags found standard in every Territory model.

Ford Australia Product Development Vice President Trevor Worthington said the development of the Territory IBS was in direct response to customers who wanted extra protection against animal impacts in remote locations.

"The Territory ISS is an excellent system, offering superior levels of protection for most customers.

"There are some customers however, particularly in rural or remote areas, who have specific needs.

"The Territory IBS provides further peace of mind for those customers,' Worthington said.

"This bullbar has been designed to Ford Australia standards for effectiveness against animal strike and integrates seamlessly with the Territory ISS, including the dual stage front airbags," said Worthington.

"While other companies offer bullbars that fit Territory they may not be compatible with the Territory ISS."

Worthington said the Ford Territory IBS represented an investment of almost two years and $3 million.

"It was imperative that the design of any bullbar would provide a real measure of added protection and at the same time complement the Territory safety system.

"While this was a challenging assignment, we didn't want to settle for anything that was purely cosmetic or could potentially reduce the vehicle's ability to protect occupants."

Worthington said the Territory ISS used a network of sensors to control sophisticated restraint systems, including two stage driver and front passenger airbags, to tailor the level of protection to suit the severity of the crash, the driver seating position and seatbelt use.

The controller of ISS is the Advanced Restraints Module (ARM).

This is a small but powerful computer mounted on the transmission tunnel inside the cabin which makes vital decisions about the level of occupant protection required for a range of crash scenarios in just a few milliseconds.

Because of its different crash characteristics, a vehicle fitted with the Ford IBS requires a unique 'Bullbar ARM' to maintain the integrity of the vehicle's Intelligent Safety System and to ensure that the vehicle continues to comply with Australian Design Rules for occupant protection.

"Creating a unique Bullbar ARM was the only way we could achieve an effective construction and mounting that did not interfere with the sophisticated ISS," he said.

"Given the extensive work that has been invested in developing the Ford IBS and its unique ARM, it can only be fitted by an authorised Ford dealer who has completed an in-house accreditation course."

Worthington said the Territory IBS had undergone a rigorous testing regime including thousands of virtual simulations and many real-world crash tests, including impacts with a dummy kangaroo.

"Territory IBS was subject to a number of specific tests to meet all relevant Australian Design Rules including ADR 69 and ADR 73 and passed them all."

Territory IBS is made using a high grade plastic composite called LLDPE ? Linear Low Density Polyethylene covering a steel inner frame.

"LLDPE offers superior strength and flexibility, allowing Ford engineers to design a lightweight bullbar sculpted to fit aesthetically with the vehicle.

"The Territory IBS has a unique telescopic mounting system that makes the bullbar 'invisible' to the energy absorbing body structure in a severe frontal crash while still providing security against damage in an animal impact.

"Using this type of mounting system allows the bullbar to move backward slightly during a frontal collision, allowing the Territory intelligent safety system to deploy the appropriate restraint system," Worthington said.

For further information, please contact:
Ford Australia Public Affairs
Phone: 03-9359 8491
Fax: 03-9359 8900

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