Ford Focus Driver Assist
Hi-tech safety pack brings kit which is usually the reserve of executive cars to the masses
Why it won...
Past winners of our Special Award have included new fuel-saving technologies and even electric vehicles. But this year’s prize has been awarded to a car that puts the kind of hi-tech safety kit you expect to find on expensive executive cars within the reach of the motoring masses.
The new Ford Focus is sure to dominate the UK sales chart for years to come, and its innovative Driver Assistance Pack breaks fresh ground in the family sector. It includes a raft of potentially life-saving features – from systems that alert the driver if they inadvertently stray out of their lane on the motorway to devices that apply the brakes in an emergency to prevent a collision.
Video: watch CarBuyer's video review of the new Ford Focus
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The new package also comprises advanced Traffic Sign Recognition, so you always know the speed limit. This uses a forward-facing camera behind the rear view mirror to scan the roadside for speed limit signs, and flashes up helpful reminders on the dash. And the Lane Keeping Aid helps combat the effects of driver fatigue by braking individual wheels to steer the car back into a lane if you veer over the white carriageway markings without indicating.
And how much does this futuristic kit cost? Not as much as you’d expect: Ford asks £750 for the clever new package, which isn’t a lot more than other makers charge for stability control alone, so it looks a snip. Safety was clearly high on the agenda when bosses were deciding what equipment should grace its new compact family model, as buyers also get Bluetooth connectivity across the range. This means owners won’t be tempted to break the law by driving along with a mobile phone in their hand.
The firm should also be applauded for fitting DAB digital radios to every version of the Focus. Such generosity is great news for all motorists, as it will only be a matter of time before rivals are forced to follow suit.
What does it include?
Buyers who specify the Driver Assistance Pack get a lot for their money. It brings Lane Departure Warning, Lane Keeping Aid, Driver Alert, Auto High Beam and Traffic Sign Recognition, plus the Low Speed Safety System and Blind Spot Information System. The set-up costs £750 on Titanium and Titanium X versions of the Focus, and £1,000 on lesser Zetec cars.
