The new Ford Focus hatchback has won another award for a safety pack that is capable of stopping the car if it senses a pedestrian in front of it.
The pack, named Ford's Driver Assist Pack, costs £750 and has been hailed as 'a big tick next to the box marked duty of care' by BusinessCar magazine, which chose the Focus for its 'Techie' award.
BusinessCar editor Paul Barker said: "The most useful feature is its low speed safety system, which prevents or mitigates accidents in urban areas. For such a range of technologies brought together as one option, a price well into four figures would be expected."
The Ford Focus hatchback was launched in March 2011 and immediately gained a five-star safety rating in a series of crash tests at the official EuroNCAP test facility.
However, the optional extra safety pack has been praised by BusinessCar for its use as a fleet car and the extra safety it offers to employees who use the technology-packed Ford Focus.
Kevin Griffin, Ford Britain fleet director, said: "Ford's Driver Assist pack is an option which enables companies to prioritise further the safety of their employees while also minimising running costs."
The new Ford Focus costs from just £14,000 with the new '61' registration plates after Ford launched a new entry-level Studio version of the best-selling small family car.
However, Ford Focus buyers have plenty of other choices in the UK, with Edge, Zetec, Titanium and range-topping Titanium X trim levels each offering more equipment as standard than the previous specification.
There is a similar array of engine choices, ranging from the entry-level 1.6-litre petrol to the 2.0-litre diesel engine at the top of the range at a price of £25,100 when specified with a Powershift transmission.
Askaprice.com holds a wide range of manufacturers and models at the car-quotation website. That means users can compare Ford prices and get the best Ford Focus quotes around, for free and under no obligation to buy.