Test Winner Ford Focus Fitted with Continental's Environmental Sensors

The convincing result of this test was achieved through a combination of our know-how as a vehicle manufacturer and Continental's expertise in environmental sensor systems, said Helmut Reder, the Ford Focus chief engineer. Scoring 46 out of a possible 50 points, the Ford Focus outperformed the other ten vehicles which took part. It was the only vehicle in the test to be awarded the maximum of ten points in the 'Reliability' category and also received top marks in the 'Presentation' and 'Operating Ease' categories.

The assistant reliably kept the vehicle in its lane even when the road markings were barely visible. Another positive feature noted by the test drivers was that Lane Keep Assist's sensitivity and the intensity of the steering wheel vibrations whenever a line was crossed could be adjusted to suit each individual driver. In every technical discipline, the Ford Focus was assessed as the best of all the vehicles tested.

For the first time in a vehicle of this class, a fully comprehensive range of advanced driver assistance systems offering greater safety and comfort has now been introduced into the new Ford Focus. In addition to the camera sensors for Lane Keep Assist, Intelligent Headlamp Control and Traffic Sign Recognition, the optical sensor using infrared beams for Emergency Brake Assist, also developed by Continental, has been installed in the Ford Focus, said Peter Duelfer, chief engineer for Ford in Continental's Chassis & Safety Division. We want to provide safety for everyone – the introduction of advanced driver assistance systems into compact models is an important step in this direction, added Dr. Andreas Brand, Executive Vice President Business Unit Passive Safety & ADAS.