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Old 22-12-2013, 05:43 PM
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Intuitive and Versatile, Ford EcoSport loads up on Smart Features and Stowage Spaces

Ford EcoSport delivers an instinctive in-car experience with high-tech features such as Ford SYNC® which allows drivers to use their mobile phone and select music hands-free, as well as Smart Keyless Entry which lets them unlock the car door and start the engine without having to use a key

Ford EcoSport offers an ergonomic interior which has 20 practical storage spaces, including a glove box that can keep up to six beverage cans cool

Ford EcoSport also utilises advanced safety and driver assistance technologies, including Hill Launch Assist, which helps drivers move off confidently up a slope without worrying about rolling backwards or forwards, and Dynamic Stability Control, which assists them in maintaining control and stability when the vehicle threatens to skid


MELBOURNE, 27 Nov, 2013 – The new Ford EcoSport gives customers smart features that help keep them connected, while improving safety and comfort behind the wheel.

The urban SUV’s blend of versatility and smart connectivity ensures that customers will have space for their gear and easy access to their phone and music. The Ford EcoSport also takes the stress out of driving with an array of driver-assist features that keep the driver in firm control of the vehicle at all times, including Emergency Assistance, which is standard across the range.

Another highlight is Ford SYNC®, the voice-activated in-car connectivity system powered by Microsoft. The award-winning system enables drivers to keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road while choosing their favourite music and making phone calls using voice commands. The SYNC button, the main radio and phone controls are all on the steering wheel, making information readily available at the driver’s fingertips.

The Ford EcoSport’s digital audio system includes a CD/MP3 player, USB and auxiliary slots, iPod connectivity, Bluetooth®1 connection, and a 3.5-inch display screen. It is even smart enough to automatically adjust the audio volume according to the speed of the vehicle, so that it isn’t too loud when the driver slows down or too soft at higher speeds.

Clever convenience
Full of modern features, the new Ford EcoSport makes life easier for customers. On the Titanium model, drivers no longer need their keys ready either to unlock the SUV or to start its engine. They can just leave the key in their pocket or bag.

With Smart Keyless Entry, the doors unlock automatically as the driver pulls the door handle, particularly useful when in a hurry or carrying heavy loads. Once inside, a press of the Ford Power Start button gets the engine going. Drivers will not have to be annoyed over having a bunch of keys dangling at knee level.

Titanium customers get extra “eyes” at the back with four ultrasonic rear parking sensors that will beep with increasing frequency as the Ford EcoSport reverses close to the obstacles. The multi-function display also shows the driver where the obstacles are and gives visual cues of the distance between the SUV and the obstacles. Allowing the drivers to “see” as well as “hear” how much space they have at the rear gives them greater confidence when reversing.

Other convenience features on the Titanium include automatic headlights and rain-sensing wipers that turn on when required and regulate their speed according to how heavy the rain is. Moreover, the Ford EcoSport’s trip computer not only provides information on average speed, average fuel economy and distance to empty but also has an instant fuel consumption readout.

When driving at night, the Titanium’s electrochromic rear-view mirror automatically dims when it detects glare from headlights behind. When customers arrive at home, they can feel safer with the SUV’s follow-me-home lights, which remain on for a minute after the engine is turned off to illuminate the way ahead.

Smart stowage
There are 20 intelligent storage spaces in the new Ford EcoSport that total more than 21 litres, most of which are easily accessible by the driver. The storage areas include:

- A glove box that can keep up to six beverage cans cool
- A handy strap on the driver’s sun visor for parking or toll tickets
- A sunglasses holder in overhead console
- A centre console with two cup holders, a 12-volt power outlet that can be used for charging mobile phones, auxiliary input, USB ports for connecting MP3 players
- A drawer under the front passenger seat that is big enough for a laptop computer
- Front door bins that can hold 1.5-litre bottles and 600ml bottles
- Rear door bins that hold 600ml bottles
- Map pockets on the back of the front seats

On top of the practical storage spaces, the Ford EcoSport also offers flexible cargo space in the rear, depending on the customer’s needs. The rear seats can be reclined for greater comfort or easily folded down for additional cargo space. With the rear seats tumbled against the front seats, the boot space increases to 705 litres, big enough to fit a washing machine. If needed, the rear seats can be split 60:40 to transport long objects such as flat-pack furniture while still carrying passengers at the back.

Safety and driver assistance technologies
To take the stress out of driving, the Ford EcoSport comes with an array of driver-assist systems.
All EcoSport models have the SYNC®-based Emergency Assistance system, which works by delivering a critical voice message directly to 000 operators, indicating that a vehicle has been involved in an accident in which the airbags have been deployed and opens the line for hands-free communication.

On Ford EcoSport models fitted with a six-speed PowerShift automatic, Hill Launch Assist helps drivers make a perfect hill start whether it’s an uphill or downhill slope, by holding the SUV for up to three seconds while the driver’s foot moves from the brake to the accelerator pedal. This prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards or forwards while moving off from the slope, increasing driver confidence.

Advanced safety technologies such as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) also help customers remain in control of the Ford EcoSport, especially on slippery roads. A vehicle can end up veering off course when the road is wet or if it is cornering when there is insufficient grip. It may understeer, where the car continues moving forward despite the driver trying to turn it, or it may oversteer, where the car turns further than the driver intended, causing the rear wheels to slide and the car to spin or fishtail.

The system can correct both situations with high-tech sensors that continuously monitor the vehicle’s direction against the driver’s intention. By the time the driver next blinks, DSC has already monitored the road ahead about 100 times. Once it detects that the car is losing control, it automatically reduces engine power and selectively brakes individual wheels to stabilise the vehicle and keep it travelling on track. This system is also useful in situations where the driver has to make emergency manoeuvres, such as a sudden lane change to avoid an accident, as DSC will activate and maintain vehicle stability.

The Ford EcoSport’s DSC system includes the Anti-Lock Brake System (ABS) which prevents the wheels from locking up and helps the vehicle to stop quickly on slippery road surfaces. When the driver applies the brakes quickly in an emergency situation, Emergency Brake Assist will provide additional pressure to the brake system to increase the braking force and reduce the distance required for the vehicle to stop. At the same time, the Emergency Brake Light feature will flash the indicator lights to warn other drivers during emergency braking.

How Emergency Assistance works
Emergency Assistance delivers a critical voice message directly to 000 operators, indicating that a vehicle has been involved in an accident in which the vehicle’s air-bags have been deployed and opens the line for hands-free communication.
The Ford SYNC® Emergency Assistance system uses the driver’s own mobile phone via Bluetooth and runs in the background once the phone is properly paired with SYNC and is within mobile phone range.

After the one-time setup, the phone connects with SYNC every time the driver enters the vehicle with his or her phone and the phone is turned on and Bluetooth is activated. Should an accident occur in which an airbag deploys or the emergency fuel pump shut-off is activated, the feature uses SYNC hands-free phone capabilities to connect the driver directly with a 000 operator through the paired phone.

Before initiating the 000 emergency call, the vehicle’s SYNC system will provide a 10-second window to allow the driver or passenger to decide whether to cancel the call. If not manually cancelled within the 10-second window, SYNC will place the 000 emergency call.
If an accident occurs while a connected phone is being used for a normal call, the Emergency Assistance system can end that call and dial the emergency services. Also, incoming phone calls will not interrupt communication between vehicle occupants and the 000 operator. Once the call is established, occupants can leave the vehicle and stay connected with the 000 operator by taking the phone with them as they move away.
Should an occupant not be able to communicate with the 000 operator, an introductory message tells the emergency operator that an accident has occurred and the system can provide GPS location digits in the voice message if needed.

The extent to which users have to maintain SYNC Emergency Assistance is limited to the one-time setup. There are no additional costs or subscriptions associated with the service.

Source: Ford Media

 

 

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