The
new Ford Focus in Crawley has been presented with the Special Award at the 2011 Auto Express Awards, for its driver assistance feature, a digital camera system which is utilised by seven driver assistance features that increase safety behind the wheel.
The camera is mounted next to the rear view mirror, which faces forward and scans the road ahead by an on-board computer. The Driver Assistance Pack is priced at 750. The Ford Focus Driver Assistant Pack Features:
Traffic Sign Recognition - Identifies traffic signs and has the ability to display two different signs on the instrument panel.
Auto High Beam - For night driving-aid, works when the automatic headlights switched on. It will temporarily dip the headlights when oncoming traffic.
Active City Stop - Assists the driver through slow moving traffic and at speeds under 20 mph. If the car in front has unexpectedly stopped, the car will automatically apply the brakes.
Lane Departure Warning - If the driver drifts out of lane, they will be alerted by the steering wheel vibrating. A visual alert also appears in the driver information cluster.
Lane Keeping Aid - When there is a slow reaction or no response to a Lane Departure Warning, the Lane Keeping Aid will apply gentle steering input in order to help the keep the car in the correct lane.
Driver Alert - Constantly monitors driving behaviour, detecting any deviation which is caused by driver fatigue. In such an event, a warning icon will appear in the display to suggest that the driver should take a break.
Blind Spot Information System - The Blind Spot Information System uses radars and is designed to see things that the driver might not, such as vehicles hidden in blind spots.
Graham Hope, Acting Editor, Auto Express said: "This year's Special Award has been handed to the Ford Focus because it puts the kind of high-tech safety kit you expect to find on expensive executive cars within the reach of the motoring masses. Its innovative Driver Assistance Pack breaks fresh ground in the family sector by including a raft of potentially life-saving features at a surprisingly low price."
