2012 Ford Focus Tech... Thoughts?

[nico.ylanan]

Hey guys,

I recently attended the Ford event in Festival Mall and was able to try out the features of the new Focus. It was interesting to note, that, despite advertising a test drive, there was actually no REAL driving involved, aside from the demo of the car's key features in an enclosed parking lot.

Park Assist - A great feature for its segment. I found the sensors and the display to be very accurate to the car's surroundings, but may take some getting used to, as some objects may seem too close. You'll have to learn to trust technology and the car. Thank god the warning tones aren't annoying.

Active City Stop - An amazing feature. If you ask me, every car should have this feature. Only active at speeds below 30kph, the car will stop itself and warn the driver about the system's activation. The vehicle stops a bit violently, and really wasn't able to see if pressing the gas while stopped will warn the driver again. Great for inattentive drivers and accidentally releasing the brake or depressing the gas in traffic by accident.

Blind Spot Information System - Unfortunately, we weren't able to test this feature, but, based on testimonies and reviews, it works well as advertised.

Here's the video if you want to see the car in action:
http://fbapp-fapa.launchpad6.com/video218

Any thoughts?

[Paul]

these are great innovations but imo, it dumbs down the driver. if a driver can't do these things MANUALLY then why is he/she driving in the first place?

[Brent]

We do have a lot dumber newer drivers nowadays maybe its to protect us from them? All this tech is nice to have but we should never totally rely on them.

[ramed45]

well my wife totally don't know how to do parallel parking and being able to try 1 time and did it smoothly and not hitting another car is a feat in itself  :cheer:

this is her test drive video. I guess most ladies here would agree  :thumbsup:

http://fapa.launchpad6.com/video368

[Brent]

well my wife totally don't know how to do parallel parking and being able to try 1 time and did it smoothly and not hitting another car is a feat in itself  :cheer:

this is her test drive video. I guess most ladies here would agree  :thumbsup:

Spamming with your video links is not cool.

[cooljug]

How long will this one take naman if you use the "park assist" of this Focus? I mean time to park. And this thing for sure is of limited use. Sa atin pa sa Pinas. hehe. Dba may ganyan ang Lexus before? Forgot lang what model it is and what year.

[Leo C.]

So, what's next?....drive assist?.... look Mom! no hands! 

[Paul]

why don't i just stop in front of a parking slot, step out, and watch the car park itself? that'll be useful!   better if they can do a system that can scan the whole parking space for a free slot and park itself! now that's useful mas lalo na sa greenhills on a december! just step out, shopping ka na, and let the car search for a parking slot. haha!

[Leo C.]

why don't i just stop in front of a parking slot, step out, and watch the car park itself? that'll be useful!   better if they can do a system that can scan the whole parking space for a free slot and park itself! now that's useful mas lalo na sa greenhills on a december! just step out, shopping ka na, and let the car search for a parking slot. haha!

In my case, my wife steps out and do the shopping while I look for a parking space....Lol!

[Paul]

In my case, my wife steps out and do the shopping while I look for a parking space....Lol!

who needs park assist? hahaha!

[AM]

How long will this one take naman if you use the "park assist" of this Focus? I mean time to park.

Based on the Ford demo video, under 50 seconds.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8yFI65DdrKc

Either way, whether you use the Active Park Assist feature or not, I think the 170PS Titanium+ and Sport+ are still good deals at around P1.19M.
Its got other features like ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Active City Stop, Dual-Airbags, Side & Curtain Airbag, and on the Titanium, you get BLIS (Blind Spot Information System).

Sport+ (RHD Thai-model shown)