Ford system protects doors

Ford's new Door Edge Protector is the first active system to help prevent costly dents and scratches and to provide a buffer to protect neighbouring vehicles.

It isn't available on any Fords sold in Australia - yet. Door Edge Protector, which debuts in January 2012 on the Ford Focus, activates as the door is opened.

A concealed protective flap slips into position when the door opens, providing a buffer that helps prevent damage to paint and body work Ford research shows up to 57 per cent of drivers have experienced door damage in car park incidents, Ford UK says the Door Edge Protector will be one of those features that we think will make customers say "Why didn't someone think of this sooner?".

They say it will help parents with children in the backseat or anyone who needs to park in a tight spot. The feature defends against more than 90 per cent of variously positioned obstructions to the front doors and 85 per cent at the rear doors.

Offering maximum protection with minimal impact on weight and without affecting existing mechanisms or side impact performance, the Door Edge Protector retracts in just 60 milliseconds to allow for doors being slammed shut and includes a clutch mechanism that prevents damage if the flap is obstructed when returning.

A special rubber compound is used that can withstand thousands of usage cycles and creates a minimum of noise as it springs into position. The protective flap is quickly and easily replaced by heavy users, with the unit simply clipping into place.