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SPECIAL

Ford Territory

SPECIAL

Ford Territory

Hidden Treasures

Staff, Wednesday June 19, 2002.

Page 1 of 1

Drivers and passengers can look forward to discovering a host of hidden treasures when they sit behind the wheel of the new Falcon arriving in Ford showrooms later this year.

"We've listened long and hard to the wants of enthusiastic Falcon customers, and we're confident the Barra delivers on all their requests and then some," says Falcon Vehicle Line Director Trevor Worthington.

"Barra will introduce a number of features not previously delivered in a locally produced car.

"All the changes make the Barra a real driver's car," Worthington says. "Not only in terms of performance and handling, but in the many small details that all add up to a totally involving driving environment."

Ford's high-wire flier

Barra?s adoption of Electronic Throttle Control ? commonly known as drive-by-wire - leads the Australian market. It is the first locally made car to feature such high technology.

Drive-by-wire is standard across the Barra range. It enables precision acceleration control through its ability to individually tailor pedal response to unique powertrain characteristics. As a result, distinctive pedal calibrations will exist for all Barra engine/transmission combinations.

"This unique series of pedal calibrations will provide sparkling performance in each and every Barra car," Worthington says.

The new ETC doubles as the cruise control actuation system. This saves weight and improves NVH by removing the existing throttle cable, eliminating associated pass-through noise.

Developed in the aviation industry and first seen on Formula One racecars in the late 1980s, drive-by-wire has been previously seen only on imported luxury and sports cars.

The superseded system consisted of mechanical cable and linkages. The driver applied the accelerator pedal, opening the throttle plate, and a position sensor on the plate relayed that information to the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).

Barra's ETC reverses the process, by electronically registering the position of the accelerator pedal and transmitting that data to the PCM, which in turn controls the positioning of the throttle plate.

"This system ensures greater engine driveline protection by optimizing torque delivery," Worthington says.

Driver benefits of ETC include:

• Consistency of pedal feel as well as greater responsiveness to accelerator inputs.
• A more refined engagement of the rev limiter and vehicle speed-limiting function.
• More seamless activation and re-engagement of the cruise control system.
• Fine throttle control for low-speed manoeuvring.
• Electronics are more reliable and durable and do not require regular servicing.
• Reduced NVH through elimination of throttle cable noise path.
• Improved driveline protection by optimising torque delivery.

Pedal pushers

Barra Falcon will pioneer a new comfort system, unmatched by competitors across the Australian market, with the introduction of an electrically adjustable foot pedal positioning system designed to enhance driver comfort and convenience.

Fitted standard to Fairmont Ghia and available as an option across the range on automatic transmission models, both pedals can be moved electronically to and from the driver.

The system is ideal not only for drivers who previously sat close to the steering wheel in order to reach the pedals, but ensures all drivers can locate a superior driving position, in tandem with the fully adjustable steering column.

Once the seating and steering positions are personalised to the gearshift and reach of instrument panel controls, the pedals can then be moved to a comfortable position via a rocker switch located on the steering column.

Barra Falcon?s adjustable pedals were derived from an innovative system derived from Ford's worldwide engineering resources.

Parking ranger

Fairmont Ghia buyers will reverse with greater ease and security thanks to the fitment of Ford?s new Reverse Sensing System.

Standard on Ghia and an optional fitment on other Barra sedans, the system works through a quartet of sensors that trigger warning signals through the stereo system?s rear speakers (separate speaker on Fairmont).

Reverse Sensing System engages automatically when reverse is selected and measures the distance between the vehicle and obstacles in its reversing path.

The system warns of obstacles that are between 1850mm and 300mm from the rear of the vehicle, the warning tone sounding ever more rapidly as the distance closes. The warning adopts a continuous tone when the gap is reduced to 300mm or less.

Developed from a European Ford system, the software has been specifically tuned for the unique Australian environment to overcome issues with coarse chip bitumen surfaces and outback roads.

The sensors emit short ultrasonic pulses; the software measures the time taken to detect the returning echo and calculates the distance between the vehicle and the object.

The colour-coded sensors are discretely mounted in the lower section of the rear bumper fascia. The outboard pair of sensors provide some coverage around the side of the vehicle as well - useful for avoiding gateposts when reversing out of a driveway.

The system is disabled automatically by the Ford-developed tow pack.

The system is a parking aid, and the driver should still take all care while reversing ? particularly in the presence of children and pets.

Location, location

Ford?s feature-laden Barra family also offers the latest state-of-the-art DVD-based satellite navigation system.

Along with vocal guidance and destination route planning come enhanced point of interest listings as well as an infrared remote control handset that can be used by the driver or passengers.

A speed lockout limits inputs to the system (to features such as stored addresses) when the vehicle is moving.

The DVD-based system offers superior storage capacity to the superseded CD system, ensuring improved graphics and greater detail such as extra points of interest.

These include petrol stations, banks, restaurants, hotels, travel agents, business facilities and historical monuments.

The main display screen is integrated into the centre console and uses TFT screen technology to provide a clear, full colour display, day or night.

The screen can be split to provide a map and turn-by-turn information, as well as a zoom feature for particularly tricky navigating.

Directions are given by voice via the car?s audio system as well as ?turn-by-turn? on the display. Spoken directions can be set up to mute the audio system on delivery, or to be given at a higher volume than the radio or CD playing at the time.

The new DVD-based satellite navigation system will be optional across the Barra range.

Bless you

Barra Falcon upgrades are not only concerned with enhanced driver features, but will also provide a more comfortable cabin environment for all occupants, especially allergy sufferers.

Every Barra ventilation system will be fitted with an airborne debris filter that restricts coarse dust and leaf particles from being drawn into the fresh air inlet ducts, making the cabin cleaner and quieter.

It also helps extend the ventilation system?s working life and boosts its effectiveness.

The filter is easily cleaned either at regular service intervals by the dealer, or more frequently in dusty or dirty operating environments by the owner.

An added option is the new dealer-fitted particulate air filter. This will minimise pollen and other fine airborne particles entering the cabin and irritating the sinuses or other allergy centres.

Under normal operating conditions the filter has a two to three year working life, and can be serviced in the same way as the debris filter.

For further information, please contact
Ford Australia Communications
Phone: 03 9359 8491

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