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01-06-2011, 05:30 PM
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Chairman & Administrator
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New Ford Focus Smart Driver Assistance Technologies Make Driving Easier
01 June, 2011
** All-new Focus introduces an array of smart driver assistance technologies to Ford's next-generation small car
** Advanced features to help drivers cope with the pressures of modern motoring
** Focus with Active Park Assist provides convenient solutions for every-day challenges such as choosing a parking spot, calculating appropriate trajectory angle and vehicle positioning
A substantial technology investment for the all-new Focus brings a new level of smart driver assistance features to Ford's small car range, offering customers an exciting array of advanced technologies generally found only in larger and more expensive vehicles.
These driver assistance features provide Focus customers with the ability to cope more easily with the pressures of modern motoring, giving them convenient new ways to deal with every-day challenges like parallel parking, driving safely on busy freeways and tackling the cut-and-thrust of city driving.
“Congested modern roads place extra pressure on the driver,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s Global C-Car Vehicle Line Director. “The all-new Focus gives customers an exciting range of smart new features that help to reduce driving stress, while improving safety and comfort behind the wheel.”
Painless parallel parking
The all-new Focus is available with Ford Active Park Assist, an advanced new system which automatically steers the vehicle into parallel parking spaces. The system uses two ultrasonic sensors (one on each side of the vehicle) to scan for large enough gaps between parked cars – these gaps can be just 20 per cent longer than the overall vehicle length. Once a suitable gap has been identified, the driver is informed and clear parking instructions are shown in the centre console display using simple text and graphics. The driver controls the accelerator and brake, and selects a forward or reverse gear, while the system turns the steering wheel completely automatically. The parking manoeuvres can be carried out at speeds of up to 10 km/h.
The front and rear parking sensors provide the usual audible warning to help the driver judge when the car is getting close to the surrounding vehicles. To assist accurate parking in tight spots, the system continues with multiple moves backwards and forwards until the vehicle is parked perfectly. Active Park Assist will be fitted as standard equipment on the new high-series Titanium model, in both hatch and sedan body styles.
Comfortable freeway driving with Adaptive Cruise Control
For reduced stress when driving on freeways, the all-new Focus features an improved, radar-based Adaptive Cruise Control system, which helps to maintain a comfortable distance to other vehicles. If the system detects that the vehicle in front is slowing down or is too close, it decelerates automatically to maintain the preset distance. Once the road is clear again, it will then accelerate back to the chosen cruising speed. The system also incorporates a Forward Alert feature, which is designed to warn the driver via the cluster display and through a chime if there is a risk of a collision with the vehicle in front. The system pre-charges the brakes to enable a quicker response when the driver presses the brake pedal, and in case of an imminent collision, it can automatically apply the brakes (with decelerations up to 3 m/s²) to reduce impact speed.
Adaptive Cruise Control will be available on the new high-series Titanium model, as part of an optional Sports Executive Pack, which also includes Bi-Xenon HID headlights with integrated static cornering lights and a power tilt/slide sunroof.
Speed Limiter helps avoid unintentional speeding
The Ford Adjustable Speed Limiting Device (ASLD) allows drivers to set their own personal speed limit, so that in demanding conditions – such as in unfamiliar city streets, or passing through extended roadworks on the freeway – they can concentrate on the road ahead without the worry of unintentionally driving too fast. This supports safer, less stressful driving, and reduces the chance of receiving unwanted speeding tickets. By using enhanced Cruise Control switches on the steering wheel, the driver can adjust and set their personal top speed, for speeds above 30 km/h. When the vehicle reaches the pre-set speed, the engine management system intervenes to prevent further acceleration. If required, the driver can override their chosen limit – to overtake, for example – by pressing hard on the accelerator. Once the vehicle speed drops back under the chosen speed limit, the system automatically re-activates again.
Cruise control with ASLD will be fitted as standard equipment on all mid- and high-series Focus models – Trend, Sport and Titanium.
All-New Focus Features Enhanced Comfort And Convenience At The Wheel
** All-new Focus offers a suite of desirable features to make the ownership experience more comfortable, convenient and enjoyable
** Latest technologies include a premium Sony Audio System and Cabin Lighting Hub with LED ambient lighting
** New range of convenience features including Ford Smart Key keyless entry/start system with 'Power' starter button and Ford Easy-Fuel capless refuelling system
Drivers of the all-new Ford Focus will benefit from a more comfortable and enjoyable ownership experience thanks to the latest technologies designed to enhance comfort and convenience. From luxuries like the new Sony Audio System, through innovations like LED ambient lighting, to the reassurance of the Ford Easy-Fuel capless refuelling system, new Focus customers have an array of desirable features to choose from.
Premium Sony audio system
Sport and Titanium Focus models are offered with a new, next-generation premium audio system, developed in conjunction with Sony for customers around the world. The system boasts nine-speakers, a 4.2-inch colour TFT multi-functional display, MP3 compatibility, USB port, auxiliary connection for external audio devices, remote audio and MFD controls, and audio streaming (with compatible mobile phones). The new audio system offers enhanced sound quality and improved radio reception, as well as featuring a stylish piano black control panel, Digital Signal Processor (DSP) and a dual AM/FM antenna.
“Customers now expect the sound quality in their car to be just as good as that of their domestic sound systems,” said Helmut Reder, Focus Chief Programme Engineer.
“With its next-generation audio systems, the all-new Focus offers the kind of audio performance that will satisfy even the most demanding music lover.”
Innovative LED interior lighting
Sport and Titanium Focus models also feature an advanced ambient lighting system which uses LED technology to provide a contemporary, premium feel to the interior when travelling at night. The ambient lighting uses a sophisticated red colour, with LEDs providing precise pools of illumination around the overhead console, the door release handles and door pockets, the footwells, the instrument panel and cup holders. A roof-mounted Cabin Lighting Hub enables the driver to control the ambient lighting, such as adjusting the brightness level.
Extensive range of convenience features
The extensive range of convenience features available on the all-new Ford Focus includes:
** Ford Smart Key and Ford Power Start Button – standard on Titanium models, providing keyless entry to the vehicle, and keyless start using the Power button, when the remote ‘fob’ is carried by the driver
** Ford Easy-Fuel – fitted as standard to all models, the award winning capless refuelling system is designed to prevent the driver filling a petrol car with diesel, and vice-versa
** Heated front seats – standard on Titanium models, provides added comfort during winter months
** Automatic headlamps and rain-sensing wipers – standard on Sport and Titanium models, and available on Trend models as part of the optional Convenience Pack, these features use an optical sensor to detect when the headlamps are required, or when it is raining
** Rear parking aid sensors – standard on Trend, Sport and Titanium models, providing an audible warning when an obstacle is detected behind the vehicle during parking manoeuvres
** Front parking aid sensors – Titanium models also feature front parking aid sensors as part of the Active Park Assist system
All-New Ford Focus Packs In More Smart Technology Than Ever
** The all-new Focus provides customers with improved levels of technology to enhance comfort, convenience and safetY
** Enhanced electrical system features up to 46 control modules with state-of-the-art networking technology
** Innovative testing process helps ensure ultimate quality and reliability
The combination of Ford’s new global small car platform and a significant investment in the latest technologies means that the all-new Focus offers customers a range of advanced comfort, convenience and safety features. Features like Active Park Assist<sup>1</sup>, Torque Vectoring Control and Adaptive Cruise Control<sup>2</sup> have helped the Focus set a new standard for affordable technologies in a Ford small car.
To deliver these features with the highest standards of quality and reliability, the all-new Focus has a state-of-the-art electrical system which has been subjected to an incredibly intensive testing regime using the latest analysis tools. “Compared to the outgoing model, the all-new Focus has a much higher level of electrical features,” said Gunnar Herrmann, Ford’s Global C-Car Vehicle Line Director. “To ensure the product remains as robust and reliable as before, we have implemented leading-edge test methodologies that ensure the systems function correctly in every possible operating condition.”
State-of-the-art electrical system
The all-new Focus has an advanced electrical system that incorporates as many as 46 control modules to manage the operation of its technology features. Rather than a complex and heavy wiring loom, the new Focus uses the latest Controller Area Network (CAN) bus systems to link its electrical features. The three CAN bus networks in the new Focus enable the features to function seamlessly together, and are capable of exchanging one million Bits of information every second.The new Focus is also the first Ford vehicle to be designed from the outset with the company’s latest Common Global Electrical Architecture. This architecture, which will be adopted by all new models, is a key step in enabling a common set of powertrain, systems and components to be shared by Ford’s next generation of global products.
Comprehensive electrical testing
The electrical systems on the all-new Focus were subjected to comprehensive testing using two key methodologies – Hardware in the Loop (HIL) testing and Yellow Board testing. HIL testing is a software-based automated test system that allows a huge number of tests to be compressed into a short period of time. The system is active, simulating the operation of the car when it is driving, enabling features like driver assistance and active safety systems to be tested very thoroughly without the cost and complexity of running tests in a vehicle. The tests use the actual control modules and CAN buses from the vehicle, while the computer system provides a virtual model of the vehicle to simulate the inputs from the driver, engine and chassis. The system also inputs fault conditions to ensure that the features behave correctly if any of the control units develop a fault.
As the system is automated, test runs can take place overnight and at weekends, so that testing typically takes one-tenth of the time required for manually controlled verification tests. With more than 20,000 automated tests in a single overnight run, HIL testing makes it possible for a full range of vehicle configurations to be thoroughly tested.
Yellow Board testing
To test the entire functioning vehicle electrical system, including all of the control modules, connections and wires, the physical parts are laid out on ‘Yellow Boards’ in a test lab for detailed analysis. Every electrical feature of the vehicle, from the parking sensors at the front to tail lamps at the rear, are put in place on the Yellow Boards to undergo rigorous testing 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Comfort and security electronic features have more than 20,000 functional test cases, with testing conducted under normal conditions and then under stress and failure conditions, such as a variation in voltage or a short circuit.
Tests on the all-new Focus were carried out on every regional variant of the car, to ensure that the vehicle delivers the same high standards of quality and reliability to customers in all worldwide markets.
1 Active Park Assist only available on Titanium models
2 Adaptive Cruise Control only available on Titanium models as part of the optional Sports Executive Pack
Last edited by russellw; 28-12-2012 at 01:19 PM..
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