Ford renews its Focus: bigger, more technological and safer

[Jose.]

The new vehicle of the American company comes with four versions, increases its size and incorporates new technologies to make it safer and more comfortable when driving.

"The best car of the last 140 years." With these words, the CEO of Ford Europe, Jim Farley, begins the presentation of the fourth generation of the Ford Focus, one of the cars that has given more joy to the North American company and that This year, moreover, it is celebrating its 20th anniversary.

The new Focus is a statement of intent that threatens to take over the entire segment of medium vehicles. Inside, in terms of engines, we will still not see electric or hybrid engines (as it does exist in Mondeo). However, the Ford Focus 2018 further reduces fuel consumption and increases efficiency in both its EcoBoost and diesel engines, EcoBlue.

On the outside, the new Focus grows in size in response to the demand of users, who need a larger car for their day to day. The models that will be marketed will be: the ST - Line sports car, the elegant Titanium, the exclusive Vignale; and a new crossover model, Focus Active, sporty style but with an elevated driving height and bars on the roof.

 

Safer and more comfortable technology
As expected, the new Ford Focus model incorporates new systems to help driving to make it safer and more comfortable. To begin with, it will be the first model in Europe to have a Head-up display (HUD), designed for drivers to keep their eyes on the road while projecting useful information in their field of vision.

Secondly, improvements have been introduced within the already famous Stop & Go, being able also to stop the engine completely depending on the traffic. For example, if we are stopped at a traffic light and the car in front starts to move, the Ford Focus will start the engine.

Another new feature of the new Focus is the traffic signal recognition system, which adapts the speed of the vehicle to the limit of the road through which we circulate. In addition, when it detects the signal of a roundabout or a closed curve, the Headlights will move to illuminate all angles.

Following visibility, adaptive front lighting system Ford offers a beam that eliminates glare possibility of accidentally dazzling other drivers and helps users to better see the road at night.

Parking is now simpler still
Many of us remember that moment in the driving test in which the examiner asked you to park and start sweating by measuring space and maneuvering to park our car.

The new Focus and the Active Parking Assistant 2 makes the parking action even simpler. In addition to driving the accelerator and brake, it also controls the steering, maneuvering automatically in perpendicular parking spaces and parallel spaces only 1.1 meters longer than the car.

Additional technologies designed to help Focus drivers and intended to prevent accidents and distractions include Pre-crash Assistance with Pedestrian and Cyclist Detection; Evasive Maneuver Assistance; Blind Spot Information System with Cross Traffic Alert; Rear view camera wide; Counter and Post-crash Braking Alert.

FordPass Connect: making the most of mobile features
The new Focus becomes a mobile WiFi point thanks to FordPass Connect, available for customers in Europe and able to offer connection to up to ten devices. It also indicates where we have left the car in case we do not find it, for example in a shopping center.

In terms of compatibility, SYNC 3 makes it possible to connect our phone with both Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. As in previous editions, SYNC 3 also allows drivers to control the audio, navigation and air conditioning functions of the vehicle, in addition to the connected smartphones.

Like its younger brother, the Fiesta, the new Focus has also had B & O PLAY as a sound partner, in this case with a 675-watt team that helps the occupants get the best of the music.