Most technologically advanced Ford hits local market

20th February 2015

By: David Oliveira

Creamer Media Staff Writer

  

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The new Ford Fusion, which was launched in Cape Town last month, is the most technologically advanced Ford vehicle ever introduced in South Africa, claims Ford Motor Company Southern Africa marketing, sales and service VP Mark Kaufman.

New technologies featured in Ford’s latest vehicle offering include the company’s precollision assist with heads-up display, which detects a potential collision and automatically applies brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings. The system also processes information collected from a windshield-mounted camera and a radar located in the bumper. It cross-checks this information against a database to help distinguish people from typical roadside scenery and objects.

The Ford Fusion’s precollision assist feature first issues the driver with an audible and visual warning if a collision becomes imminent. Should the driver not respond, the system then shortens the time required to apply the brakes by reducing the gap between brake pads and discs. If there is still no response from the driver, the brakes are applied automatically and the vehicle speed is reduced.

The Fusion can also apply automatic braking to mitigate or avoid a collision. The active city stop feature operates at speeds of up to 40 km/h while the precollision assist system is employed at higher speeds, using the radar and camera technology to scan ahead and automatically apply the brakes to help the driver mitigate or avoid a rear-end collision.

Radar technology also enables the Ford Fusion’s new distance indication feature and adaptive cruise control technology. Distance indication provides an intuitive visual interface to inform the driver what the time gap between the driver and the vehicle ahead is. Adaptive cruise control automatically maintains a chosen safety distance from the vehicle ahead.

In addition, the forward-facing camera supports lane-keeping aid, which applies steering torque to guide the new Fusion back into a lane if unintended drifting towards the lane marking is detected. Further, the Fusion’s traffic sign recognition feature provides the driver with the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking restrictions through the instrument cluster display.

The Ford Fusion’s petrol engine options include the 1.5 ∙ EcoBoost and two 2.0 ℓ EcoBoost engines, as well as a high-powered 2.0 ∙ TDCi diesel engine which delivers 132 kW and 400 Nm of torque. Combined with Ford’s active shutter grille system, which provides aerodynamic benefits, these new engines deliver low carbon-dioxide emissions and optimal fuel consumption.

The Fusion is the first Africa-focused model designed for Ford’s new global CD-segment platform, which refers to midsized vehicles. It will also debut Ford’s new integral link rear suspension configuration for improved refinement and dynamic performance.

The vehicle’s new platform and body structure is enhanced with electric power-assisted steering and an improved antilock braking system, which helps reduce stopping distances by more than a metre, from 100 km/h.

In designing the Fusion, Ford used sophisticated materials and production techniques to deliver greater strength and improved safety with reduced weight and enhanced sustainability.

An industry-first application of hydroformed high-strength steel was used to produce the A- and B-pillars, as well as the roof rails of the vehicle, while a new magnesium inner tailgate structure delivers a weight saving of about 40%, compared with traditional steel equivalents.

Moreover, in the 1.5 ∙ EcoBoost model, a recycled front energy absorber designed to meet pedestrian protection requirements, delivers additional body structure weight savings of up to 115 kg.

“The weight saved during development has been carefully reinvested into fuel-saving features – such as aeroshields and auto start-stop technology – comfort and convenience features, and a stronger and safer body structure. We’ve improved the strength of safety-relevant areas by 40% and verified the performance with thousands of computer simulations and more than 180 real-world crash tests,” says Ford Europe vehicle line director Ulrich Koesters.

The Ford Fusion’s body structure features 61% high-strength steel. Bake-hardened steel is used in the roof structure to reduce weight by an additional 500 g.

The Fusion also introduces Ford’s adaptive light-emitting diode (LED) headlamp technology to Africa, combining full-LED headlamps with Ford’s adaptive front lighting system to enhance the driver’s view of the surroundings.

Moreover, an advanced version of active park assist, featuring perpendicular parking, enables drivers to detect suitably sized parallel and perpendicular parking spaces and to reverse hands-free into spaces. This feature is supported by park-out assist, which helps drivers exit parallel parking spaces. Side parking aid also warns drivers of obstacles to the sides of the vehicles, as well as to the front and rear.

In terms of comfort and convenience, the Fusion features a power- adjustable, memory-equipped steering column, multicontour seats with unique active motion massage function and Ford’s Sync 2 connectivity system.

Enhanced MyKey technology will also enable Fusion owners to programme a secondary key to restrict particular vehicle functions. Targeted for younger drivers, MyKey can inhibit incoming phone calls, restrict the top speed, prevent deactivation of driver assistance and safety features, reduce the maximum volume of the audio system and disable the system altogether if the driver and passengers are not using safety belts.

“From convenience technologies, such as Sync 2 and a new active park assist, to safety technologies including precollision alert with heads-up display, Fusion adds a range of safety and security features for drivers in busy urban environments,” concludes Kaufman.

Edited by Samantha Herbst
Creamer Media Deputy Editor

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