The all-new 2002 Ford Explorer, now available in the Middle East, recently received major safety and consumer awards in America.

The influential US Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated it as 'Best Pick' in its class after intensive frontal crash testing. A panel of journalists, staff and crew of prime national motoring TV programme, PBS' MotorWeek, then gave the popular vehicle its Drivers' Choice Award as 'Best Family Sport Utility Vehicle' at its 20th annual awards function.

Recognition of the Explorer's superior safety by the influential independent insurance representative and research body reinforces the top safety ratings the popular family SUV has already received in its class after intensive official US government frontal crash tests.

For more than a decade, the popular Explorer has consistently been the best-selling SUV in the world, with all-time record sales of 445,000 units delivered last year. Its safety features are a major factor in its enduring popularity.

"Since its introduction worldwide in 1990, the Explorer has consistently achieved safety records and changed to meet the needs of consumers. Already it is acknowledged that it is 19 per cent better than its competitors in all types of accidents," said Jim Benintende, managing director of Ford Middle East & North Africa (MENA).

"This latest recognition reflects that the 2002 Ford Explorer continues a heritage of safety its competitors are unable to match and the MotorWeek award tells the world that the vehicle is a superior product all round."

In safety terms, the newly designed Ford Explorer even takes into account the height of other vehicles to maximise safety of occupants in the event of a frontal collision. Four-wheel drive models are equipped with the new Control Slip rear driveshaft, which telescopes and does not buckle in a frontal impact. This absorbs impact forces and manages energy.

The 2002 model has depowered dual airbags, which are an industry first. They enhance protection through a sensor, which, on detecting an imminent overturn, deploys a safety canopy curtain to shield occupants in the first- and second-row seats.

Injury prevention features include a seat-belt system to remind drivers to buckle up, and a dedicated child-seat attachment in the second and third rows. Ford's comprehensive Personal Safety System also became available in the 2002 model. A series of sensors enable the vehicle to "think through" an accident and instantly deploy appropriate restraints or air bags. This system features dual stage air bags with one or two levels of deployment.

Later this year the 2002 model will offer also the computer-driven interactive vehicle dynamics system, Advance Trac, to enhance stability in extreme driving conditions.