1. The importance of ESC at Global NCAP Stop the Crash
At the recent Stop The Crash South Africa event held in June 2019, hosted by Global New Car Assessment Programme (NCAP), Ford's Fiesta took centre stage with its ESC (Electronic Stability Control) technology.
According to Bosch, Ford's Electronic Stability Control is reported to have prevented approximately 260 000 vehicle accidents in Europe between 1995 and 2015. To explain what this system is, ESC is a computerised programme that uses various sensors to detect and actively reduce loss of traction and uncontrolled skidding in a moving vehicle. The system is considered as an active safety feature along with the likes of anti-lock brakes (ABS) that help reduce the risk of a loss of vehicle control.
The ESC system constantly monitors the driver’s steering and the movement of the car, and interacts with the accelerator and brakes. When it detects that the car is moving in a different direction than the one indicated by the driver through the steering control, the ESC system automatically and instantly applies the brakes on individual wheels to help steer the car in the desired direction, and reduces engine power delivered to the drive wheels. This assists in minimising the loss of control and helps reduce understeer where the front wheels run wide, as well as oversteer which occurs when the rear wheels lose traction, thus causing the back of the vehicle to slide out.
2. Intrinsic quality
Without customers realizing, Ford has put alot of attention into elements and features that customers usually notice quickly like panel gaps and the feel of the pedal. The Fiesta offers improved quality through several elements that include the enhanced specification, the innovative engineering, and the sophisticated design which Ford believes their customers will instantly appreciate.
The exterior finishes have been optimised to appear more upscale. Parking sensors are now more flush with the body panels; windscreen washer nozzles were hidden beneath the upper bonnet lip; the shut line between the roof and the rear liftgate was reduced by more than 30 percent; and Ford ensured there are no visible screws in the taillights or the rear fascia.
Moving into the interior, the flush, seamless surfaces continue. You'll find a one-piece centre console that has been discreetly connected to the lower instrument panel for a more harmonious feel, and there are no visible fixings to the floor.
Adding to the driving/passenger experience, a stiffer body structure, a reduction in powertrain noise vibration and harshness, enhanced powertrain isolation, and an acoustic windshield help create a more comfortable ride. Enhancing the experience further on a day-to-day basis, the doors have been structured in a way that requires 20 percent less effort to close while the windscreen wipers clear 13 percent more of the windscreen.
3. More fun to drive
Ford knows that a fun driving experience is key to the Fiesta’s appeal and have tried to retain as much of its character that has delighted generations of drivers. Such as the sharpest, sportiest and most balanced performance yet. It also offers more style, more refinement, more technology, and more fun.
In relation to the structure, a 15 percent increase was achieved in torsional stiffness, while the front track is 30 mm wider, the rear track is up by 10 mm and the wheelbase by 4 mm. A lighter, stiffer hollow front anti-roll bar contributes to better roll control and steering feel. Steering friction is reduced and gearboxes now deliver smoother gear changes.
The Fiesta’s chassis now offers 10 percent more cornering grip, while braking distances at 100 km/h were reduced by more than 8 per cent.
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