Judging by the cooling...
Judging by the cooling vents in the front bumper and purposeful alloy wheels, it looks like we captured a hot version in the cold, although all models will get the stylish headlights and chunky stance of the car pictured. While Ford isn"t planning to offer a specific performance model, the newcomer is expected to use the same five-cylinder engine fitted to the hot Focus ST. The stylish people carrier is also the first model based on the next-generation Mondeo platform, so other engines will be shared with the all-new family car.
A dashboard black box...
A dashboard black box that monitors motorists’ performance is being used to make novice drivers safer behind the wheel.
Staffordshire County Council has become the first local authority in the country to pilot the device. It works by measuring how hard the car accelerates and brakes, and the G-force created through corners.
The data is uploaded automatically on to the Internet, and a traffic light system shows how safe the youngster’s driving is. The more red lights show, the more likely they are to be involved in an accident.
Results can be monitored by parents and road safety experts, and novices can then have dangerous habits coached out of their driving. Staffordshire road safety manager Adrian Hide said: “Most new drivers think they are good. This graphically illustrates where they go wrong.” He added that other councils are watching the initiative with interest.