Why are the adaptive headlights of the new Ford Focus so innovative?

The new Ford Focus features a highly advanced adaptive front lighting system. The headlight beam widens on bends and lengthens on straight roads.

The new Ford Focus is not only a benchmark for other compact cars in its segment, it is also one of the vehicles with the best lighting on the market. Its adaptive front lighting system represents a real revolution in the history of this model. What is the key? The predictive lighting of the new Focus is capable of adapting its light beam to the road layout far more efficiently than other systems can, which makes the American compact a safer car in night-time conditions.

How does the adaptive lighting of the new Ford Focus work?

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The fifth-generation Ford Focus features a camera in the front of the car that gathers information up to 65 metres. Thanks to this component, the lighting system can anticipate the presence of bends well in advance on the road and, as a result, direct the light beam into them so the driver can react in time. The lighting of the new Ford Focus also recognises the road traffic signs, which further enhances its predictive capability.

Most adaptive headlights on the market use the driver’s steering angle as the main parameter to vary the direction of the light beam. In these systems we are therefore talking about a “reactive” rather than “predictive” function, whereas the adaptive lighting system of the new Focus offers real anticipation of road conditions.

What real benefits does the adaptive lighting of the new Ford Focus offer?

To explain the benefits of this system, we need to put all of the above into practice. For example, when approaching a roundabout or a junction, the light beam widens and shortens, allowing a wider peripheral view to illuminate everything that falls outside our direction of travel. If, on the other hand, we are driving on a straight road, the car lengthens and narrows the light beam to give a more distant view of where we are heading. Do not confuse this with the high beams, which the system itself automatically switches off when we would dazzle an oncoming car.

Another major benefit of this adaptive lighting system is its uniform cornering light compared with other similar headlights. The car’s advanced Full LED optics incorporate an adjustable drum-type configuration that smooths the transitions of the light beam.

Technical specifications of this car

HatchbackFord Focus19 versions · from 31,034 €