Equipment on new European models (2): PSA, Renault, Fiat, GM and Ford

 The following is a summary of major equipment available on the new passenger cars launched by PSA, Renault, Fiat, GM Europe and Ford Europe in and after the summer of 2010.

 Among the driving stability equipment, the tyre pressure monitoring system to be mandatory under EU legislation (after November 2012 for new models, November 2014 for continuing models) is being made available. The torque vectoring system applies a small amount of braking to the inside wheel when going in a corner so that more engine torque will go to the outside wheel for better cornering performance and stability. Ford Focus is the first compact car segment car in which this system is used.

 As for vision systems, availability is increasing of the high-beam assist that automatically switches between high and low beams while auto-dimming rear view mirror is becoming more available on a broader variety of vehicles. Among the collision safety systems of increasing availability is the automatic activation of hazard warning lights that alert the drivers of vehicles behind when the emergency brakes are applied.

 As for driving and parking assist systems of increasing availability are the collision imminent braking that applies automatic braking when a rear collision is imminent thereby preventing or mitigating damage, and the park assist that looks for enough space for parallel parking.

 Among the systems that address greater comfort and convenience, navigation systems are being adopted that allow access to real-time congestion information and route guidance based on information collected from users, while availability is expanding for Start-stop system that contributes to better fuel economy.

 PSA has adopted advanced adaptive headlamps synchronized with steering when making a corner, coupled with the automatic high/low-beam switching, on the Peugeot 508, the highest-end model under the Peugeot brand. PSA's all three new models, including Citroen C4 and DS4, are sold with the available Parking assist that measures space for parallel parking and indicates parkability and the level of ease of parking, and Automatic dual-zone air conditioning that allows different temperature setting for the driver and the front-seat passenger.

 Renault has made several features available on the Latitude, the new flagship large-size sedan, including the Bi-Xenon cornering headlights that move in synchronization with the steering, and a new navigation system that provides congestion and other real-time information based on information collected and analyzed from many users. Also adopted by Renault is the Air purification system that emits negative ions to purify the air in the compartment and diffuse scent of the driver's choice.

 Fiat Panda and Lancia Ypsilon have been launched with the Dualdrive electric power steering that allows the driver to choose a best power steering setting, and a new navigation system that provides access to a variety of real-time information such as congestion and route guidance based on road information collected from other system users. Fiat plans to make available, on the Fiat Panda within the first year of launch, the Innovative braking system that detects an obstacle in front of the vehicle running at 30 km/h or slower and applies brakes to stop the vehicle automatically as needed.

 GM plans to adopt systems that normally belong to high-end models in Opel Zafira Tourer slated for market launch in early 2012. One is an advanced adaptive lighting system that automatically selects the best from nine different lighting functions and adjusts low-beam range to reduce dazzling other drivers in front or in opposing lanes. Another is a group of preventive safety systems that make use of the front-mounted camera dubbed Opel Eye.

 Ford has made available, on the C-Max and Focus among its C segment models, the Active park assist that looks for space for parking and provides automated steering operation, and the start-stop system. In addition, the Focus is sold with a number of other advanced systems that include Torque Vectoring System that applies a small amount of braking to the inside wheel when going in a corner so that more engine torque will go to the outside wheel for better cornering performance, Auto High Beam that automatically switches between high and low beams, and Low Speed Safety System that applies automatic braking to stop the vehicle running at speeds up to 20 mph to prevent rear-end collision.

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