Freestar is the moniker to mark a comfy new minivan by Ford
Bob Plunkett
Date Posted: 5/10/2005
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ATLANTA, Ga. -- Driving down Powers Ferry Road while meandering through Atlanta's tony Buckhead neighborhood, it seems like we're steering an elegant luxury sedan -- one of those posh people haulers fitted with cushy contoured seats and encased by so much sound-damping material that all external noise from road and traffic is stifled to forge a cabin environment that's as quiet as a living room.
And, as a luxury vehicle, this one feels good to drive.
There's sufficient strength available from a torque-strong engine so you can whip up the horses to scoot ahead in traffic.
The steering wheel, tilted precisely to a preferred angle, feels of soft leather, as do the seats in the top trim Limited edition. With only the slightest movement, a driver's hands can rack the wheel and deftly guide the vehicle into another lane or wind through a curvy course.
And the body holds together tightly, with suspension elements supporting all weight and bracing in the corners to keep from tipping sideways or wallowing in discomfort.
Yet there's an image in conflict with these impressions of driving a fine luxury sedan and it shows up clearly in the rearview mirror: It seems the reflection in that mirror is not the confining quarters of a conventional four-door and five-passenger car but the cubic dimensions of an elongated minivan, with second and third tiers of seats evident plus enough space left over in the rear bay for a load of luggage.
What's happening here?
We're driving the latest product from Ford Motor Company, a virtual new design for a minivan that's as quiet as a luxury car and as quick to maneuver as a mid-size model.
It's called the Freestar, a new moniker replacing the former Windstar minivan with a word that begins in the letter 'F' to conform to future car-like models from Ford.
Freestar is not simply a name-change for Windstar, but a new product with significant content and features in demand for a contemporary minivan -- including lots of gear for luxury and safety, a third-row bench seat that collapses into a flat cargo floor for a slick disappearing act to expand the cargo capacity, a power-motivated rear liftgate and power sliding side doors plus a DVD-based video entertainment system available for riders on the second and third rows of seats.
It's still big like Windstar, cast on a chassis with the wheelbase stretching for ten feet and an overall vehicle length of more than 16 feet.
And Freestar measures well over six feet wide at the beam and stands almost six feet tall.
All of these dimensions forge a long and wide and tall passenger compartment with ample room for the three rows of seats to hold as many as seven passengers.
The cabin layout consists of a pair of tall buckets on the first row, a second row with either a bench for three or twin buckets plus the third-row folding bench for two.
Freestar contains a myriad of safety systems to protect the precious human cargo, including Ford's computer-controlled Personal Safety System that can instantly analyze the type and intensity of a frontal crash at the onset and react by deploying different safety devices in a manner appropriate for circumstances of the particular collision.
In addition, a new side curtain air bag system (Ford calls it a Safety Canopy) is optional for any trim with a shield extending to all three rows of seats.
Brakes use a disc at every wheel, as tied to an anti-lock brake system (ABS) with electronic brake force distribution (EBD).
Further, an optional package of active safety gear brings a panic brake assist (PBA) system, traction control system (TCS), Ford's AdvanceTrac anti-skid mechanism, and a reverse sensing system.
The reverse sensing equipment works with sensors in the rear bumper to detect solid objects in the reverse path of the minivan. When approaching such an impediment -- another vehicle, perhaps, or a tricycle in the driveway -- a cabin audio speaker transmits a series of high decibel beeps to alert the driver. These beeps increase in frequency until the back bumper closes to within a few inches, when the signal becomes a constant tone.
Freestar is equipped with a front transverse-mounted V6 engine tied to a front-wheel-drive (FWD) system.
Actually there are two V6 engine options.
Standard is a 3.9-liter V6, a plant that originated as the cast-iron V6 for a 1983 Thunderbird. Multiple improvements through the years have enhanced the engine in terms of controlling noise and vibrations, while a new camshaft profile produces more efficient low-rev runs with 90 percent of torque available at only 1500 rpm.
Torque peaks at 245 lb-ft and 500 rpm lower than previously, with the power rating of 193 hp at 4750 rpm.
For Freestar's two top trim levels, a new 4.2-liter V6 engine makes 202 hp at 4250 rpm plus torque of 267 lb-ft at 3750 rpm.
A smooth-shifting four-speed automatic transaxle comes with either plant.
Five trim levels include the base Freestar plus LX, LX Sport, SE and Limited.
The exterior varies with trim type, as Freestar and LX models show a monochromatic treatment with body-color fascia and grille, while Freestar SE and top-grade Limited flash hints of chrome on grille and bumper strips, and the Limited wears dual-color body paint.
Entry-level Freestar stocks the 3.9-liter engine with four-wheel ABS, a remote keyless entry system, power operation for windows and door locks and mirrors, a standard air conditioning system plus the fold-away third-row seat.
Freestar LX adds privacy glass, a CD deck, cruise control, upgraded seat fabrics and rooftop rails, while the LX Sport goes further with twin-zone air conditioning off an overhead console, power for the driver's seat, a floor console up front, plus driving lamps and aluminum wheels.
Freestar SE upgrades to the 4.2-liter engine and puts chrome on the front grille, then brings a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, keypad entry, quad seats and audio controls for rear-seat riders.
Freestar Limited gets it all -- power mirrors with heat elements, built-in turn signals and puddle lamps, a message center, automatic climate controls, power adjustable foot pedals and leather-clad seats.
Base prices for Freestar models run in a range from about $24,000 to $ 33,000.
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| 2004 FORD FREESTAR VEHICLE SPECIFICATIONS |
| Description: |
7-person minivan
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| Model Options: |
7-person minivan
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| Wheelbase: |
120.8 inches
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| Overall Length: |
201.0 inches
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| Engine Size: |
OHV 3.9-L V6
OHV 4.2-L V6
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| Transmission: |
Auto/4
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| Drive: |
Front
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| Braking: |
Power 4-disc
ABS/EBD
opt. AdvanceTrac/TCS/PBA
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| Airbags: |
2 (front)
+ 6 (side curtain)
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| Gas Mileage: |
3.9-L: 17/23 mpg
4.2-L: 16/23 mpg |
| MSRP Price: |
$ 24,000 to $ 33,000 |
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