Joined: Mar 09, 2003 Posts: 1585 Location: Finksburg MD
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 11:00 am Post subject: Ford GT gets compact air pump
Quote:
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Ford GT gets compact air pump, tire sealer instead of spare
RICHARD TRUETT | Automotive News
11/3/04
DETROIT -- The new Ford GT supercar doesn't come with a spare tire or even run-flat tires. But a flat tire likely won't leave the lucky owner of the low-slung, limited-production, $140,000 car with a deflated ego.
Ford's new flagship is the first North American vehicle to use an automatic roadside inflation and tire sealing system developed by Continental Automotive Systems, a division of Continental AG.
The compact air pump, which is called the ContiComfortKit, plugs into the cigarette lighter and fills the tire with sealant and air. The unit weighs less than 5 pounds and is about the size of a standard dictionary. It fits under the GT's hood.
Thomas Falke, a manager with Continental's tire division, said it takes about nine minutes for the system to fill and seal a flat tire.
"You can drive up to 120 miles" after the tire has been reinflated, he said.
The system doesn't work on sidewall punctures. But the majority of flats are caused by punctures in the tread, he says.
Falke says Ford decided against run-flat tires on the GT because they are difficult to make in the GT's size. Another reason, he says, is because run-flat tires, which have thick sidewalls and weigh more than regular tires, diminish the car's ride and handling.
Continental plans to offer the inflation device in North America as an accessory through its dealers. Drivers also can use the system to add air to the tires.
The ContiComfortKit has been standard on some Volvo models in Europe. It also is sold as an aftermarket product in Europe, where many drivers carry it along with a spare tire.
Falke estimated the cost in the United States to be slightly less than $100.
Hmm this is kind of neat. Id dump my spare in lue of a custom sub box, and spend 100$ to be sure that I wouldnt be left stranded. This is a pretty neat innovation... _________________
Joined: Mar 05, 2003 Posts: 1828 Location: Manchester, MD
Posted: Mon Nov 08, 2004 1:00 pm Post subject:
I guess if you don't have a can of run flat and a nearby gas station, this is the perfect solution. That is, unless you have AAA
I can see this being a standard feature that many manufacturers will adopt since it cuts down on their per car cost of providing a spare tire and wheel.
Joined: Mar 26, 2003 Posts: 456 Location: Upperco, MD
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 6:56 pm Post subject: Re: Ford GT gets compact air pump
I can see a lawsuit when a defective pressure regulator blows up on some soccer mom and she has sealant in her hair......Wait haven't I seen pornos start this way? _________________ 99 Roush Stage III Mustang
91 GT 306
Joined: Mar 05, 2003 Posts: 1828 Location: Manchester, MD
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2004 8:11 pm Post subject: Re: Ford GT gets compact air pump
Yeah, I can see it now... Lonely guy with $140K for his Ford GT springs a leak in his inflatable woman and he runs out to get the portable pump from the hood of his GT. Give her a quick few pumps and he's back in business
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