The Ford Focus has been a popular model amongst British drivers since its introduction at 1998 after replacing the Escort.
With 2018 marking the release of the fourth generation, Ford gave the new Focus some of the best technology available to it – including some of the latest safety features.
It’s got so many in fact that Europe’s leading automotive safety authority – Euro NCAP – has commended the family hatchback as part of its first automated driving assessment event, which tested how well the model’s safety systems integrated with standard driving.
Euro NCAP had already given the Focus a five-star safety rating earlier this year, so this confirmation of quality was almost assured.
The safety authority’s secretary general, Michiel van Ratingen said:
“The Ford Focus delivers a very balanced package of driver assistance technologies, with the capability to make journeys safer, while also ensuring that the driver needs to remain alert and ready to take appropriate action in an emergency."
Ford’s automated driving manager Thomas Lukaszewicz said:
“The key challenge is developing systems that keep the driver informed of all situations and allow the driver to feel completely in control. The all-new Focus features a ‘co-pilot’ that has got your back, but never encourages you take your attention away from the task at hand.”
But what features does the Focus have? Here’s a list of the systems that form the Ford Co-Pilot360 setup:
- Evasive steering assist – using radars and a front-facing camera, the system can detect slower-moving vehicles ahead and will help the driver in need of aggressive steering actions
- Pre-collision assist with pedestrian and cycling detection – this detects people or cycling in or near the road in front of the car who may move across, and if they do, the car automatically applies the brakes to prevent a potential collision. It also works in the dark with the help of the headlights
- Adaptive front lighting system – this can detect the road and speed signs ahead and adjust the headlights accordingly so that you get view of the road possible
- Adaptive cruise control with stop & go – allows the driver to set a cruising speed on the motorway and the car can slow down or speed up depending on traffic and the distance set to the vehicle in front
- Speed sign recognition
- Lane-centering technology – helps the driver stay in their lane and can prevent drifting over markings into the path of another vehicle
- Cross traffic alert
- Blind spot information system
- Driver alertness
- Post-collision braking
- Split view camera
Prices for the 2018 Ford Focus start from £17,930 and you can get your hands on one of the safest cars around by clicking the link below.
See Available Ford Focus deals