CATEGORY LEADING SAFETY

Fifteen thousand hours of computer-aided design, 120 crash tests, one hundred simulations using a HyGe slide, two hundred tests on components and subsystems, ten new types of tests and eight specialised suppliers involved in codesign. These statistics demonstrate Fiat's deep-rooted commitment to making the Fiat Stilo one of the safest cars in its segment and also in the field of motoring as a whole. The new model represents the state-of-the-art as far as passive safety is concerned.

This total protection begins with devices specifically devoted to safety: eight airbags, including two Multistage; five three-point seat-belts with pretensioners and load limiters (a seat-belt reminder is fitted on the driver's belt that activates a buzzer when the seat-belt is unfastened), five head-restraints and a fire prevention system (FPS). And goes on to include a new chassis designed to absorb impact with maximum efficacy. The service continues with occupant protection provided by the body, bonnet, doors and facia beam. And we must not overlook the contribution to passive safety provided by other features such as the seats or door panels. Although these parts fulfil a different function, they have also been designed with a view to their behaviour in the case of accidents.

On the Stilo M.Y. 04 safety is assured first and foremost by the body. The Stilo's body is the outcome of a state-of-the-art production and quality control process and features a torsional and flexural rigidity that is head and shoulders above the opposition. No less than 100,000 daNm/rad of torsional rigidity compared to an average of 89,000 daNm/rad for the opposition and 1050 kg/mm of flexural rigidity compared to 985 kg/mm, i.e. the medium range for other compact cars.

The model's airbag system has also set a new standard in its category. The Fiat Stilo was the first segment C car to offer 8 airbags with a passenger presence sensor beneath the seat and an Early Crash Sensor to control the Dual Stage detonation system on the basis of crash severity. The Fiat Stilo M.Y. 04 passive safety system includes driver and passenger airbags, four airbags built into the seats and two window-bags for protection against side impact, combined with the seat-belts. The front airbag for driver and front passenger is Multistage type and activated with different power settings and modes according to impact intensity. The two window-bags installed beneath the car's interior trim protect the heads of front and rear occupants in the case of side impact. The sidebags are installed under the seat trim fabric and provide special protection to occupants' chests. The entire system is designed with the aid of innovative numerical simulation systems and activated on the basis of messages from a control unit connected to various sensors including an ECS (Early Crash Sensor), that gives an early warning of a crash and determines its severity - and an Occupant Classification Sensor (OCS) that determines a passenger's presence and weight.

The Fiat Stilo M.Y. 04 also offers the very best available in the field of active safety. For example, the model's braking system, complete with ABS and EBD, assures stopping distances lower than the segment average: 40 metres compared to 41. The Fiat Stilo M.Y. 04, is also equipped with a dynamic vehicle control system ESP (Electronic Stability Program) to ensure perfect car stability even under critical situations.

Overall, ABS ESP add up to a smart safety system produced using the most advanced software tuning on the market with more than 5000 in-car development hours. ESP includes: ABS and EBD (Electronic Brake Device) during braking; MSR during over-run and ASR (Anti Skid Regulator) during acceleration; HBA (Hydraulic Brake Assist) during emergency braking. A system that makes the car absolutely safe in any situation.