Automakers conduct all types of odd studies. Some of them are serious, while others are a little more laid back. Ford’s latest one falls into the latter category, as the American automaker found that driving a sports car was more enjoyable than kissing, watching a football game, or shopping.



Ford’s study measured “buzz moments,” which the automaker refers to as peak thrills, that are reportedly beneficial to one’s well-being. Volunteers in the study watched an episode of “Game of Thrones,” rooted for their favorite football team, participated in a salsa dance class, and even kissed their partner. Apparently, none of the aforementioned items provided people with the same buzz as driving a sports car.

The automaker had neuroscientists and designers help it create a bespoke Ford Performance Buzz Car out of a Ford Focus RS, which is an exciting hot hatch that will get anyone’s heart rate going, that portrayed what emotions the driver was feeling through artificial intelligence on the exterior of the vehicle. The special hot hatch displays biofeedback and lights up when the driver is having a buzz moment.

According to the automaker’s preliminary findings, participants experienced an average of 2.1 high-intensity buzz moments during a typical commute in one of the automaker’s vehicles (Focus RS, Focus ST, or Mustang). Going on a shopping spree only brought about an average of 1.7 buzz moments, 1.5 for watching a “Game of Thrones” episode, and, this is kind of sad, none for kissing or dancing.

The only thing that Ford found that created a larger high-intensity buzz moment than driving one of the brand’s sporty vehicles, is ridding a roller-coaster. That gave participants an average of three buzz moments.

This study wasn’t to just help promote Ford’s vehicles, the automaker aims to use the research to better understand and respond to drivers’ emotions when behind the wheel and to help it to create healthier driving practices.

So, there you have it. If you want to be happy and improve your well-being, you should purchase a sports car, or a hot hatchback, and drive it everyday.

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