Mondeo's advanced air filtration could prevent 'driving blind' after sneezing at the wheel
Everyone has had that moment when they sneeze behind the wheel, causing a potentially dangerous situation. Now Ford is going to introduce an air filtration system in its new Mondeo to prevent this situation arising.
The cleaner air scheme will offer relief to people with allergies and respiratory conditions such as asthma and hay fever. It will block most pollen and nitrogen dioxide a key trigger of asthma as well as gaseous pollutants and odours.
Volker Scheer, technical expert, Environment and Health, Ford of Europe, said: "Fresh air may not be as immediately apparent to drivers as how a car looks, or how it drives, but it is an important part of the quality experience delivered by Ford cars that will be equipped with the new filter.
"The new filter is 50 per cent more effective than its predecessor at blocking ultra-fine particles that are less than one thousandth of the width of a human hair."
The new filtration system which has been developed by engineers from Ford's European Research Centre in Germany, is constructed from activated charcoal, not too dissimilar from that used in advanced gas masks, respirators and spacesuits. It can detect carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide levels outside the car and shuts down incoming air if its too dirty.
Scheer added: "The team drove test vehicles in areas of heavy congestion and concentrated pollution, such as tunnels, as well as deep into the countryside. The resulting filtration technology is of a quality one would only usually expect in ultra-luxury cars. It also is much more durable."
The new Mondeo is to go on sale in the UK next year.
Tamsin Fewkes
by: Rebecca Chaplin