The body structure is 31 percent stiffer in
torsion, meaning that a twisting force of 15,500 foot-pounds can
deform the body by only one degree. Such dramatic leaps in body
stiffness contribute to the GT500’s driving performance, with
parallel benefits in accident protection.
Engineering a body with such high stiffness
creates a passenger "safety cage" that helps protect the
cabin from deformation and intrusion.
The front structure is designed to absorb energy
in a controlled manner and dissipate it before it can reach the
passenger compartment. The GT500 front rails have an octagonal shape
to spread forces evenly at the firewall and progressively deform
for increased protection in demanding offset frontal crashes.
Other safety features include all-speed traction
control, anti-lock brakes (ABS) and Ford’s Personal Safety
System®. When you add in the standard driver and front passenger
side-impact air bags and side intrusion door beams, the GT500 provides
a comprehensive safety package.
GT500 Confidence: Ford Personal Safety
System®
Topping the list of GT500’s safety equipment is Ford's Personal
Safety System®, one of the industry's most comprehensive safety
technology suites. The system is designed to provide enhanced protection
in many types of frontal crashes by analyzing impact factors and
determining proper air bag response in milliseconds.
It uses dual-stage driver and front-passenger
air bags capable of deploying at full or partial power. In less
severe frontal crashes, air bags inflate with less force.
Ford’s Personal Safety System® employs
pretensioners to tighten front seat belts in the first milliseconds
of a crash. Energy management retractors gradually slacken the belt,
if necessary, to reduce forces across the occupant's chest during
the impact.
Standard Front Passenger Classification
Sensing
Standard front passenger classification sensing builds on the strength
of the Personal Safety System™ to tailor deployment of the
front-passenger air bag. If the passenger-seat sensor detects no
weight or very little weight, like a newspaper or a jacket, the
passenger air bag is automatically switched off.
If more weight is on the seat, like a small
child, the air bag remains deactivated and an instrument panel light
alerts the driver with the message "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF."
Of course, the safest place for children remains the rear seat,
properly restrained. If an adult is seated properly in the passenger
seat, the air bag automatically is switched on, ready to inflate
within milliseconds, if needed.
Among the dozens of standard safety and security
features the GT500 offers are:
