The debut of a minivan Windstar was held in 1994. The car turned out modern and stylish in design. It is quite dynamic - “a hundred” from a spot in 13.5 seconds, with an almost two-ton weight. But with active driving is very voracious (about 18 liters per 100 km). In the role of the main driving force gasoline engine V6 with multipoint injection of 3.0 liters. Produced by Windstar in Canada. In 1998, the model was restyled. Windstar of this model year has become not only safer and more environmentally friendly than their classmates, but also opened a new stage in the history of minivans.
The cabin has three rows of seats for six passengers and a driver. If desired, the configuration of the seats can be varied. For the convenience of passengers, the sliding door is now on the left. The second row of seats can be moved in the transverse direction, opening the passage to the third row on the right or left side. Structural strength in frontal collisions increased: for the driver and front passenger seats. Windstar is the first minivan on which not only frontal, but also side airbags will be installed. The latter will protect with side impacts of the head and chest cells sitting in front.
A choice of two V6 engines: a volume of 3.0 liters and a capacity of 152 hp. and 206-horsepower 3.6 l. Both units are paired with a 4-band automatic transmission. The first, despite the lower power, accelerates the car to a maximum speed of 180 km / h.
The speed limit developed by the second unit is electronically limited to 175 km / h. The technical features of the car also include a semi-independent rear suspension, equipped with pneumatic elements with varying stiffness depending on road conditions. The front brakes are disc, rear drum, the car is equipped with ABS. The standard equipment of the car also includes air conditioning, electronic compass, high-end audio system. For a fee, the salon will be decorated with leather. According to the creators, Windstar is the most eco-friendly minivan.
Its gasoline engine, which fully complies with the federal LEV standard, with a certain refinement will be able to meet the requirements of the California ULEV standard. Interestingly, in this case, the developers did not have to sacrifice the power of 3.8 liters of V6 for the sake of cleanliness of the air - the power unit still produces 200 hp, which is the best indicator among minivans. As an option, an electric drive for sliding doors is offered, and with remote control. You press the button on the keychain - and both doors will open access to the salon. You click another - they will close.
The problem of almost all minivans is a limited overview, which, combined with the rather large dimensions of the car, makes maneuvers in a confined space quite difficult, Ford experts decided to use a distance sensor, which warns the driver about an obstacle with a sound signal. Also, good visibility provides a large glass area. Another option is a sophisticated audio system that allows front and rear passengers to simultaneously listen to different things: say, the front one - a tape recorder, and the rear one - a CD player, through headphones.
From the 2003 model year, all versions of Windstar are completed with body-colored bumpers, exterior mirrors of aerodynamic shape, and, on request, with the company's anti-skid system AdvanceTrac, new built-in child seats (LATCH system). The engine is now only one - 3.8 liters V6, 203 hp, 325 N • m. For many years, the Windstar has been very popular as a kind of benchmark for family cars. But now all the attention can switch to the updated version of the family Freestar, lineup 2004.
Since at present Ford decided that all the names of passenger models should begin with the letter “F”, the updated Windstar minivan turned into Freestar. In fact, this is the same Windstar, only slightly re-modeled and with much better handling. Freestar, in addition to the updated appearance, received more expensive materials in the cabin, airbags for all three rows of seats and a new suspension that has become a little tougher, which protects the car from turning over.
More convenient access to the third row of seats that fold into a completely flat state and a new dashboard design. The car is equipped with a cast-iron, 3.8-liter Essex V-6 engine with a capacity of 193 hp. A version of the power unit capacity of 4.2 liters, with a capacity of 201 hp. Also, the engineers worked on reducing the engine noise - the attachments were completely replaced and the vibration was eliminated.
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