Ford Crashed 350 Prototypes Before Building This NCAP 5-Star Everest
所有资讯Ford is one of the most responsible car manufacturers in the world. Nearly every recent Ford model tested by Europe’s Euro NCAP has attained the maximum five-star rating, but as cautioned by Global NCAP, Euro NCAP’s results have little relevance for models sold outside of Europe as the vehicle body structure might be different, even when referring to the same model. Global NCAP urges consumers to only refer to their respective region's NCAP results as these are the most accurate representation of the models sold in their local country.
Thus, it is reassuring to know that Ford maintains the same high level of safety standards for all its cars sold worldwide, irrespective of whether it’s sold in a developing country with lax regulations or a well-regulated developed country.
Every Ford model tested by ASEAN NCAP so far has attained the maximum five-star rating. The latest is the seven-seater Ford Everest SUV.
Meeting the challenge of building a five-star NCAP rating SUV was certainly not cheap. David Attard, Manager of Safety and Body CAE at Ford Asia Pacific recently revealed that despite the wide use of computer simulation tools, a high number of physical testing are still being carried out at Ford.
The Everest’s body structure was developed by Ford Australia.
“The simulation process was supplemented by an extensive physical crash test programme, with more than 350 full vehicle and system level crash tests were conducted,” said Attard.
Attard also explains that the pressure monitors located within each door frame in the Everest are capable of detecting any rapid change in air pressure, which usually means that a severe side-impact collision has happened. The sensors instantly relay the information to the Everest’s central crash computer, which would activate all the necessary passive safety functions within the vehicle – all completed within 35 milliseconds, that’s two-thirds faster than a blink of an eye!
The Thailand-built Everest has already been launched in Thailand, and will be launched in Malaysia in the second-half of this year. Prices have yet to be announced but don’t expect it to be cheap. On the upside, at least you can be comforted to know that there is a strong justification for the high price. Safety don’t come cheap and wrecking 350 prototypes is no small matter.
Read also our review of the all-new 2016 Ford Everest.