EXPLORER GETS HIGHEST IIHS FRONTAL CRASH TEST RATING

[range]

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FORD EXPLORER, SPORT TRAC AND MERCURY MOUNTAINEER EARN HIGHEST IIHS FRONTAL CRASH TEST RATING

 

 

The 2006 Ford Explorer and Mercury Mountaineer, and the 2007 Ford Sport Trac, earn the highest frontal offset crash test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

All three vehicles previously earned top NHTSA crash test ratings, taking five-stars in both frontal and side crash ratings for drivers and passengers.

All three vehicles offer a suite of 10 advanced safety technologies as standard equipment, including Ford Motor Company’s AdvanceTrac® with Roll Stability Control (RSC ®).

DEARBORN, Mich., Mar. 30, 2006 - Building on a legacy of proven safety, the 2006 Ford Explorer, Sport Trac and Mercury Mountaineer now add the highest frontal offset crash test rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to their collective trophy case. That case is getting crowded, as all three vehicles recently earned the government's highest five-star crash test ratings for frontal and side impacts for drivers and passengers.

 

Mercury Mountaineer

 

“We're pleased that the IIHS has recognized all three vehicles with its highest possible frontal crash test rating,†says Sue Cischke, vice president, Environmental and Safety Engineering. “In addition to more refinement and increased capability, they offer a new package of advanced safety features.â€

 

 

With 10 advanced safety innovations as standard equipment, Explorer, Mountaineer and Sport Trac offer the most active and passive safety features in their class. Four of these are new adaptive technologies specifically designed for Ford’s stringent internal safety targets.

 

“Ford Motor Company is building on a legacy of introducing industry-first safety technologies that help provide increased protection in accidents,†Cischke said. “These vehicles offer impressive handling and braking combined with AdvanceTrac® with industry-exclusive Roll Stability Control.â€

 

Explorer Sport Trac

 

Unlike any other system in the world, Roll Stability Control features roll-rate sensing, offering assistance to the driver in maintaining vehicle control during extreme maneuvers. The system automatically engages countermeasures to help the driver maintain maximum control and further reduce the risk of rollover.

 

“In the case of an accident, all three offer enhanced rollover side-impact protection, and four new adaptive safety technologies that help tailor frontal-impact protection based on crash severity, occupant size and safety belt usage.â€

 

Ford's occupant classification system helps tailor air-bag deployment for increased protection. A horizontal stroking adaptive steering column adds to the safety package to further help protect customers.

 

 

In the event of a side impact, all three vehicles feature standard side-impact air bags for the driver and front passenger and available Safety Canopy® side air curtains that deploy in certain side-impact collisions or if an impending rollover is detected.

Edited March 31, 2006 by range

[2005Explorer]

This is good news! Since the 2002 model came out, the Explorer has been doing very well on safety and the 2006 model appears to do even better.

 

I just thought I would add a comment on a positive note, since everything is negative around here when it comes to Ford. If they did not do this good, I am sure there would be a hundred comments by now.

[tofer]

Good to know, hope i don't get to test mine thou :o

[Explorer4X4]

If you've noticed, even though the second generation Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer were famous for fatal roll-overs, the Explorer has remained the most popular truck-based SUV. Only a Ford could ever keep it's loyal fans even if they made a horrorable error. :banana piano:

[2005Explorer]

If you've noticed, even though the second generation Ford Explorer/Mercury Mountaineer were famous for fatal roll-overs, the Explorer has remained the most popular truck-based SUV. Only a Ford could ever keep it's loyal fans even if they made a horrorable error. :banana piano:

 

Maybe that is because people are smart enough to know that Ford completely redesigned the Explorer in 2002. I don't know what second generation you are referring to...but I can assure you the IRS Explorer's do not have a rollover defect. The 1991-2001 models were alleged to have that problem. The 1995-2001 were actually more stable then the old Twin I Beam models. In hard corning those would actually cause the front end to jack and on top of that the engine was forced to sit too high in the chassis. You can blame Ford all you want, the only true error they made was selecting a tire from a company that was known for poor, poor, poor quality. Bridgestone-Firestone only seems like they can do no wrong because they are a Japanese company. When it comes to that company poor quality goes way back into the 1970's when their first attempt at a steel belted radial was killing people until the Government stepped in and forced a recall.

 

The first generation Explorer was no more dangerous then any other SUV on the road at the time. Fatality rates over the years actually show it has been safer then many. Of course, in it's hayday they were movingh 400,000 units a year. When you sell that many any problem, no matter how small, will show up and it really does not help when you have defective tires and a lot of poor drivers at the wheel.

[fllcobra]

Yeah, this is great. My insurance dropped nearly $350/year when I bought my Mountaineer.