New Ford Focus equipped with technology firsts
First pictures of the fresh-faced Ford Focus were revealed today which will hit dealerships in November and builds on its reputation for ground-breaking technology.
The advanced new Focus featured automated parallel parking, Active City Stop low-speed collision avoidance, Traffic Sign Recognition to monitor and record road signs and Blind Spot Information System, as optional equipment since 2011.
The new Focus is the first Ford to offer Perpendicular Parking, an additional hands-free parking technology to help drivers reverse into spaces alongside other vehicles.
Today's Ford Focus debuted Active Park Assist that, at the push of a button, uses ultrasonic sensors to locate parking spaces and steer the vehicle while the driver controls the accelerator and brake. The addition of new sensors to the rear enables Perpendicular Parking to operate in the same way.
Cross Traffic Alert and Park-Out Assist functions are also available. The Cross Traffic Alert warns drivers reversing out of a parking space of vehicles that may be about to pass behind them. Park-Out Assist helps drivers as they exit a parallel parking space. After the driver has chosen either the left or right hand side, the system operates the steering while the driver operates the accelerator and brake.
New Focus will be offered with Ford's second-generation connectivity interface, SYNC2 which features a high-resolution, eight-inch colour touch screen and voice control to access audio, navigation, climate control and mobiles phones. SYNC 2's navigation system also offers a split-screen display for the first time on a Ford vehicle in Europe.
Ford's innovative MyKey aid for novice drivers will also appear on the new Focus. The Ford MyKey technology, which debuted on Fiesta, lets owners programme a key usually for younger drivers that restricts the top speed, reduces the maximum volume of the audio system, and can disable it altogether if the driver and passengers are not using safety belts.
The new Focus range also retains a six-series line-up of Studio, Style, Zetec, Zetec S, Titanium and Titanium X.
by: Danielle Bagnall