Omawarisan

Just seen the new Ford Focus Advert on the box.... It advertised three features of the car :

1 - Shuts air vents to save fuel
2 - Brakes itself to prevent an accident
3 - It parallel parks itself

Two things instantly struck me. Firstly few Mercs and BMW's have these features. Secondly and most importantly, is this the beginning of the end of the driver being in sole charge of the vehicle ?

How long will it be before these safety features become law and the decisions of the individual driver ar removed or at the very least limited ?

Me things is wont be long !

Chris

martysmartie

iTrader: (1)

Fact is, self parking (Park assist in Ford speak) has been avaliable for a while, BUT you hit the nail on the head 'Mercedes and BMW's' have this, as such for a mainstream manufacturer to be sporting it, is a big 'wow factor'!

I can't see what all the fuss is about personally, although I can't ignore it's obvious intelligence, also park assist is a £500 extra cost option on most, if not all models (Think Titanium might be an exception?) like all other adverts they don't tell you this openly (Apart from the small print!)

Martin

focusv8

It's been a while since the driver was totally in control, a good thing too with some drivers.

Fly by wire throttle.
A.B.S
ESP / stability control
Traction Control.
Stop start.
Auto screen wipers
Auto lighting control
Front wheel drive.
Four wheel drive.
Hill Start Assist
Automatic choke.
Automatic ignition advance.

The list goes on.

Icurus

Now fully integrate that list to the built in sat nav, and the car can pretty much drive itself!

Fiddy

Just more things to go wrong. all these driver 'aids' just take away from actual driving. great if you want to 'drive' as little as possible, and features like self parking are cool, but not my cup of tea tbh.

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Modern technology is just taking over.Look how much cars have come on in the last 20 years.

Omawarisan

I feel it will soon be cars that run on Hydrogen and are required to have a little black box to make sure we all behave !

James998

I fail to see how self parking, auto braking and auto grille shutters detract from the driving experience...but I understand your point. They are all usefull features, I work for ford and the self parking is pretty shit hot! Not had any experience with auto braking yet though.

But it always makes me think of this;

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6ZwS9izm4E

1.9 xr2 on 40's

people said the same of power steering

my van is limited to 60, same thing, soon you will be able to do it yourself on all fords so parents and limit speeds for kids etc etc


if petrol was cheaper it would be an exciting time for motorists

Glenn_

iTrader: (1)

Well said to you above about petrol.

I would use my car more if petrol was cheaper.

Rick

And that's why the government prices it as it does, it doesn't want you to drive!

bishbashbosh

The self parking does not park the car completely, the driver still has to control the pedals.

The new Focus is (in my opinion) a nice comfortable one to drive but if you are planning on getting one DO NOT get the 1.6 105bhp engine because its sluggish and thirsty, go for the 1.6 TDCI or 1.6 Ecoboost they are much better and make the driving experience better.

Im currently a Ford employee too, but if things go to plan I wont be for much longer .