This major achievement is recognition of the great attention Fiat Auto pays to all aspects of driver and passenger protection, an integral part of the process surrounding the design of everything from the chassis to dashboard, the seats and the restraint systems. In the case of the Fiat Ulysse and the Lancia Phedra this work has achieved great results which have been confirmed by today's Euro NCAP judgement. To achieve this the designers looked at all the different possible types of accidents: front impacts, side impacts, overturning, shunting from behind and fire. The different speeds at which accidents can happen were also taken into account, as well as the different types of obstacles and protective devices for occupants whose physical characteristics can vary greatly. From the detailed examination of all these parameters was developed a combination of technical solutions that make the Lancia Phedra and Fiat Ulysse two of the safest cars in their segment. 

Total protection starts with all those devices that are there specifically to enhance passive safety and which are standard on both vehicles: two multistage front airbags, two side airbags, and two windowbags, which protect side passengers sitting in all three row of seats. Phedra and Ulysse are also fitted with a sensor that can detect whether there is a passenger on the seat (to manage airbag activation should it be necessary) and acoustic and visual signals indicating that rear seatbelts have been fastened. There are also three point seatbelts (on all but the middle seat of the second row in both vehicles) with pretensioners and weight limiters, height adjustable head restraints (tilting in the back seats). Electric child locks and Isofix points for the safest possible child transport are also featured. Doors are automatically unlocked in the event of an accident and there is a fuel shut off device, too. 

The two on-road behaviour of Fiat Auto's MPVs is constant and predictable, even to the extent of making adjustments in the case of driver error and enabling critical situations to be avoided without incident. In terms of active safety the Lancia Phedra and Fiat Ulysse, as well as a high performance braking system, can boast the most sophisticated dynamic control electronics, looking after everything from braking to traction. 

ABS is standard on both models with EBD (Electronic Brake Force Distribution) which controls braking action on the rear axle to stop the wheels locking up, ensuring that the vehicle is always under control. Also fitted as standard on both model ranges is Brake Assistance, which helps in emergency braking situations. On versions without ESP this is mechanical (known as MBA - Mechanical Brake Assistance) and is found inside the brake servo. On cars with ESP, on the other hand, it is electronically controlled by the ABS computer and is called HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assistance). 

Driver control of the vehicle is further enhanced in the case of all Lancia Phedras by a feature called ESP (Electronic Stability Program). This is also to be found on the 2.2 JTD and 3.0 24 valve Ulysse models and is optional on the others in the range. The system intervenes when conditions are close to the limit and the vehicle's stability is at risk. It helps the driver to control the car. In order to reduce the risk of the car's wheels slipping where there is reduced grip on the road surface, the new model features ASR (Anti Slip Regulation), again standard on all the vehicles (with EPS). This is an automatic traction control system that works at any speed and acts on the torque in accordance with the degree of grip lost. MSR (Motor Schleppmoment Regelung) comes into play when low grip conditions suddenly reduce and gives back more torque to the engine to prevent skidding cause by the wheel locking. 

So many sophisticated devices looking after the dynamic safety of the two models. A sophisticated 'intelligent nervous system' has been developed to manage them all, driven by an electronic switchboard. This command module receives signals from the various sensors around the car and, based on what they say, decides how many and which devices need to be deployed. 

The Lancia Phedra and Fiat Ulysse have a particularly effective braking system that ensures fast and progressive deceleration as well as shorter stopping distances. In addition, under sudden and heavy braking, an automatic emergency system switches on the hazard warning lights to alert following vehicle in plenty of time. Depending on the model, there are also optional foglamps and headlamp washers as well as sensors for rain, parking, light level and tyre pressure. 

26.02.2002  NEW MODELS: FIAT ULYSSE
26.02.2002  NEW MODELS: LANCIA PHEDRA