FordFordUnited Kingdom, 1909 > present33 models
3718 photos
5 videos
is making its Active City Stop emergency braking system available as an option on the Fiesta but only in Europe for now. When activated, the system examines 50 images roughly every second, and it can prevent collisions at less than 15km/h and react faster than a human at 30km/h.  

The system uses a combination of light detecting and range detecting sensors to scan the road ahead. It monitors the available space in front of the car and calculates the risk of hitting a stationary or slow-moving object. It automatically pre-charges the Fiesta's brake system to shorten braking distances, and if the driver does not respond then the system activates the automatic braking. At the same time, it lowers engine torque and activates the rear hazard lights. 

“Automatic application of the brakes is a last-ditch response and the system is carefully designed to minimize the potential for inappropriate application. We hope our customers will never need this feature but we believe it gives city drivers in particular peace of mind to know it is there,” said Florian Schweter, the Ford engineer in charge of adapting Active City Stop to the Fiesta. 

The system comes as part of the Driver Assistance Package that includes a heated windshield This packages also features a heated windshield, rear parking distance sensors and heated, power-folding mirrors with puddle lights. Ford has not announced pricing for the new Fiesta or the package.

Ford launched the system originally in the FocusFord Ford Focus (UK) Gen.3United Kingdom, 2011 > present207 versions
299 photos
and had broadened it to the C-MaxFord C-MAX Gen.2United Kingdom, 2010 > present103 versions
110 photos
, and B-MaxFord B-MAX Gen.1United Kingdom, 2011 > present25 versions
106 photos
.