All-new Ford Mondeo first to offer pedestrian detection technology

Ford Motor Company announced the all-new Ford Mondeo will be its first car globally to offer a new pedestrian detection technology that could help reduce the severity of accidents or help drivers avoid them altogether.

Additionally a new high-power diesel engine will lead a range
of efficient EcoBoost petrol and TDCi diesel engines.

Ford's new Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection can identify people in the road ahead, or who could cross the vehicle's path, and automatically apply the brakes if the driver does not respond to warnings. The system processes information collected from a windshield-mounted camera, and radar located in the bumper, and checks it against a database of 'pedestrian shapes' to distinguish people from typical roadside scenery and objects.

"The new Mondeo is the most technologically advanced Ford vehicle ever introduced in Europe," said Ulrich Koesters, Vehicle Line Director, Ford of Europe. "Features like Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection add safety and security for drivers in busy urban conditions."

Pedestrian detection is among a raft of new features and improvements detailed by Ford today, which enhance the all-new Mondeo. The system is part of the Pre-Collision Assist package that also introduces Active Braking, which can autonomously apply engage to help mitigate rear-end collisions, right up to the vehicle's maximum speed.

Ford also announced the all-new Mondeo will offer a new high-powered 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine featuring twin sequential-turbocharging and delivering 210 ps and 450 Nm of torque. The all-new Mondeo goes on sale later this year as a four-door hybrid, five-door or estate in dealerships across Europe. The high-powered diesel will be available in early 2015. 

Pedestrian Detection identifies people and reduces the severity of collisions at speeds of up to 50 mph.

If a pedestrian is detected in front of the car, and a collision becomes imminent, the driver will first receive an audible and visual warning. 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 autonomously and the vehicle speed is reduced.

Engineers tested the system on closed circuits using rigs fitted with life-size dummies. They also spent months testing and refining the system on roads around the world to prove system reliability under real-world conditions.

"The real world testing was crucial. Pedestrians come in all shapes and sizes, and adopt an infinite number of postures," said Gregor Allexi, Active Safety Engineer, Ford of Europe. "We covered more than 500,000 km to make sure that we tested pedestrian detection against the widest range of people and situations possible."

The all-new Mondeo also will apply automatic braking to mitigate or avoid a collision with a vehicle ahead. Active City Stop operates at speeds of up to 25 mph. At higher speeds new Pre-Collision Assist uses radar and camera technology to scan up to 200 m ahead, and can autonomously apply up to full braking force to help the driver mitigate or avoid many types of rear-end collision.

Radar technology also enables the new Distance Indication feature and Adaptive Cruise Control technology. Distance Indication provides an intuitive visual interface to inform the driver of the time gap to the vehicle ahead. Adaptive Cruise Control automatically maintains a chosen distance from the vehicle ahead. 

In addition, the forward-facing camera supports Lane Keeping Aid, which applies steering torque to guide the all-new Mondeo back in to lane if unintended drifting is detected; and Traffic Sign Recognition, which provides the driver with the latest detected speed limit, cancellation signs and overtaking regulations via the instrument cluster display.

Mondeo drivers will be able to see more clearly with the introduction of Ford's adaptive LED headlamp technology to Europe. The sophisticated technology combines full-LED headlamps offering daylight-mimicking light clarity with Ford's Adaptive Front Lighting System that adjusts the headlight beam angle and intensity to match driving environment. It can choose one of seven settings according to vehicle speed, ambient light conditions, steering angle, distance to the vehicle in front and windscreen wiper activation.

Mondeo is also designed to help drivers in and out of parking spaces. An advanced version of Active Park Assist featuring Perpendicular Parking enables drivers to detect suitable spaces and reverse hands-free into those parallel to the road or side-to-side with other cars.

This advanced parking feature will be supported by both Park-Out Assist, which helps drivers to exit parallel parking spaces; and Side Parking Aid, which delivers an on-screen visual representation and audible warning of obstacles to the sides of the vehicles, as well as to the front and rear.

A powerful new twin sequential turbocharged 2.0-litre TDCi engine, available in 2015, will offer 210 ps and 450 Nm of torque - delivered from 2,000 rpm - with significantly reduced CO2 compared with the outgoing 200 ps 2.2-litre TDCi engine.

"The new high-powered TDCi diesel engine follows the downsizing trend we've led with our EcoBoost petrol technology. Smaller engines deliver better fuel efficiency and emissions, and we claim the power back with advanced technology," said Andrew Brumley, Chief Engineer, Ford Engine Programs. "Twin sequential turbocharging delivers the seamless performance consumers want every day in all conditions, and makes turbo-lag a distant memory."

The all-new Mondeo is the latest vehicle from Ford to deliver 'power of choice' to customers with a range of fuel-efficient EcoBoost petrol, TDCi diesel and Hybrid Electric Vehicle powertrains.

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