Chrysler Group LLC Displays Safety and Security Features in 2010 Chrysler Town & Country at the New York International Auto Show

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Mar 31, 2010, 12:15 ET

NEW YORK, March 31 /PRNewswire/ --

Chrysler Group offers the latest safety and security features to transport passengers and gear safely and securely
Chrysler Group's exclusive Rear Cross Path and Blind-spot Monitoring assist drivers in safe lane changes and backing out of high-traffic parking situations
New 'SafetyTec' package available in 2010 Chrysler Town & Country

Providing a safer environment for driver and passengers, Chrysler Group LLC is showcasing the company's available safety and security features in a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country visual display at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. Features such as multi-stage airbags, Chrysler Group's exclusive Rear-Cross Path (RCP) system and Blind-spot Monitoring (BSM) demonstrate the company's effort to continuously improve the overall performance of its products.

"Through a broad range of advanced safety and security systems, Chrysler Group is offering the latest technology to assist our customers in everyday driving situations," said Scott Kunselman, Senior Vice President – Engineering, Chrysler Group LLC. "Both passive and active safety systems enhance the inherent security we design into all Chrysler, Ram Truck, Jeep® and Dodge vehicles."

Chrysler, Ram Truck, Jeep and Dodge vehicles employ a two-fold safety approach: conventional safety features, such as seatbelt pretensioning, constant-force seat-belt retractors (CFR), active head restraints and supplemental side-curtain air bags, combined with accident-avoidance features, including Smart Brake, and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). In addition, security features, such as anti-theft alarms and Sentry Key® engine immobilizer, provide the utmost vehicle-theft protection.

New SafetyTec Package Surrounds Occupants With Segment-exclusive Active Safety Features

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country delivers the minivan segment's highest levels of luxury and refinement, and now delivers segment-exclusive active safety features across the lineup with the new SafetyTec package. The new package raises the bar in the minivan segment with segment-first innovations including BSM and RCP accident-avoidance systems. Additional features include Parksense® rear-park assist, Parkview® rear back-up camera (available with Media Center™ 430 touchscreen radio), rain-sensing windshield wipers, mirrors with integrated turn-signal lamps and BSM/RCP indicators and an Electronic Vehicle Information Center (EVIC) with Tire-pressure Monitoring (TPM). The new SafetyTec package will be available late spring on the 2010 Chrysler Town & Country Touring, the new Touring "Plus," and standard on the Town & Country Limited.

The 2010 Chrysler Town & Country received the highest possible U.S. Government crash test rating of Five Stars in both front and side impact tests. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has also rated the Chrysler Town & Country "Good" in Frontal Occupant Protection and "Good" in Side Occupant Protection -- highest rating possible.

The following safety and security features are in a 2010 Chrysler Town & Country visual display at the New York International Auto Show:

Active head restraints (AHR)

AHR move forward and upward in the event of a rearward, rear-end collision to decrease the space between the headrest and the occupant's head, thereby helping to reduce the chance of injury.

Air bags (multi-stage)

Regulates the amount of air bag necessary for the front passengers by crash severity.

Anti-lock Brake System (ABS)

Senses and prevents wheel lockup, offering improved steering control under extreme braking and/or slippery conditions.

Auto headlamps

Selectable headlight setting that uses a sensor to detect exterior light and turns on headlights automatically.

Auto-reverse windows or door

Automatically reverses the direction of a power window or door (to the down or open position) when an obstruction exists.

BeltAlert

Periodically activates a chime and illuminates an icon in the instrument cluster to remind the driver to buckle up if a vehicle is driven without being properly belted.

Brake assist

In a panic-brake condition, the system applies maximum braking power, providing the shortest possible stopping distance.

Brake/park interlock

Prevents an automatic transmission or transaxle from being shifted out of Park unless the brake pedal is applied.

Child seat anchor system

ISOFIX is designed to ease installation of compatible aftermarket child seats.

Child-protection rear-door locks

Disables the rear doors' inside-release handle via a small lever on the door-shut face.

Constant-force Retractors (CFR)

Seat belt retractor senses vehicle impact and immediately applies a load to the seat belt in order to properly position the occupant before the full load of the vehicle impact is imparted onto the occupant. It then reduces the seat-belt load in order to moderate forces imparted onto the occupant during the impact event.

Door alert

Selectable feature that automatically flashes signal lights on the side of the vehicle in which a sliding door is opening (minivan).

Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD)

Adjusts braking pressure front to rear, based on weight distribution of passengers and cargo in order to minimize brake dive during hard braking.

Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

Enhances driver control and helps maintain directional stability under all conditions. Provides the greatest benefit in critical driving situations such as turns, and is especially valuable when driving on mixed-surface conditions such as snow, ice or gravel. If there's a discernible difference between what the driver asks through the steering wheel and the vehicle's path, ESC applies selective braking and throttle input in order to guide the vehicle back onto the driver's intended path.

Enhanced Accident Response System (EARS)

Makes it easier for emergency personnel to see and reach occupants in the event of an accident by turning on interior lighting, flashing hazard lamps and unlocking doors after air-bag deployment. Also shuts off the flow of fuel to the engine.

Height-adjustable seat belts

Allows occupants to raise and lower the shoulder belt. This system encourages seat-belt usage by offering a more comfortable fit.

High-intensity Discharge (HID) headlamps

Provide approximately three times the light output of conventional reflector lamps for improved nighttime illumination.

HomeLink universal transceiver

Stores three separate transmitter radio-frequency codes to operate garage-door openers, security gates, security lighting or other radio-controlled devices.

Interior head-impact protection

Interior pillars above the beltline and instrument panel, including areas around the windshield and rear-window headers, roof and side-rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops specifically designed to limit head-impact force.

Knee bolsters

The lower instrument panel and the glove box door are designed to properly position the occupant, enabling air bags to work effectively.

Rain-sensing wipers

A driver convenience feature that automatically senses moisture on the windshield and activates wipers.

Rear-interior conversation mirror

A convex mirror located in the overhead console above the inside rearview mirror allows the driver to see rear-seat occupants without turning and looking back.

Seat-belt pretensioners

During a collision, impact sensors initiate front seat-belt pretensioners in order to immediately remove slack, thereby reducing the forward movement of occupants' heads and torsos.

Sentry Key® engine immobilizer

Utilizes an engine key that has an embedded transponder with a pre-programmed security code to discourage vehicle theft. When the key is inserted into the ignition, the controller sends a random number to the transponder, and the engine is allowed to start. If an incorrect key is used, the engine will shut off after a few seconds.

SmartBeam® headlamps

Intelligent headlamp system adjusts to ambient light and oncoming traffic in order to deliver maximum lighting.

Smart Brake

Chrysler Group began implementing the smart brake in 2003. When a disagreement exists between the throttle and the brake, the brake signal causes the engine controller to reduce engine power, allowing the operator to stop the car.

Supplemental side-curtain air bags

Extend protection to all outboard front- and rear-seat passengers, including third-row outboard passengers in vehicles so equipped. The system includes sensors, adjacent to both front-and rear-seat occupants, which are calibrated to deploy the side airbag and curtain during impacts that require air bag occupant protection.

Tire-pressure Monitoring (TPM)

Informs driver when tire pressure is too low. Pressure-sensor modules within valve stems of all four road wheels send continuous radio-frequency signals to a receiver and the system.

Traction Control System (TCS)

Helps to keep driving wheels from spinning during acceleration from a stop or during slow speeds by applying individual brakes alone or in combination with engine torque limitation to prevent wheel slip.

Uconnect™ Phone

In-vehicle, voice-activated communication system that allows you to talk on your Bluetooth compatible phone with your hands on the wheel and eyes on the road. The built-in phonebook sync feature automatically downloads as many as 1,000 phone book entries from supported phones, which can then be selected by simply saying their name.

Voice Command

Chrysler Group LLC's hands-free voice recognition system helps drivers keep their eyes on the road. Many features are operable using Voice Command®, including navigation destinations. Voice Command is standard with Uconnect Phone.

About Chrysler Group LLC

Headquartered in Auburn Hills, Mich., Chrysler Group LLC's product lineup features some of the world's most recognizable vehicles, including the Chrysler 300, Jeep Wrangler and Ram Truck. Fiat will contribute world-class technology, platforms and powertrains for small- and medium-sized cars, allowing Chrysler Group to offer an expanded product line including environmentally friendly vehicles.

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SOURCE Chrysler Group LLC