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Ford’s updated Kuga now offers Blue Cruise driver assist tech
Published: Yesterday 10:53
► The latest on Ford’s Kuga family SUV
► New tech update offers optional Blue Cruise
► Tech drives for you on the motorway
Remember the Ford Kuga? No hard feelings if you briefly forgot about it. But Ford has announced a model year update for its family SUV that includes some new tech being rolled out across the Ford range.
Blue Cruise, the semi-autonomous driving technology Ford has developed, is going to be applied to a new model year update to help keep it fresh. The technology is described as ‘hands-off, eyes-on’ driver assistance tech that can take control of the car in what Ford defines as a ‘blue zone’ – almost always a motorway across 16 European countries.
The tech is effectively active distance control, lane keep assist and traffic assistance in one, with the latest Blue Cruise 1.5 providing automated lane changes. Ford claims the tech can automate around 45 per cent of lane changes. But the difference with Blue Cruise is that it uses driver monitoring to stay active; without that, these systems by law require regular driver reminders to keep their hands on the wheel.
Other car makers offer similar technology, with the likes of BMW’s ‘motorway assist’ in its Neue Klasse models like the new iX3 performing similar tasks.
Ford says the technology can be added as an option to automatic Kuga models regardless of powertrain, and is part of the driver assistance pack. The pack is optional on Titanium and ST-Line versions, and standard on ST-Line X and Active X models.
Ford also says the Kuga has had some equipment tweaks to include an optional upgraded infotainment system that adds apps and entertainment services, as well as a new B&O audio system.
Other than that, the Kuga is largely the same as it was before, available with standard petrol, hybrid and plug-in hybrid options.
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