“By introducing Ford BlueCruise to the Kuga, one of our most popular vehicles, we are making our cutting-edge technology available to many more customers so that they can enjoy the benefits of hands-free motorway driving, whether on their daily commutes or on longer journeys.”
These words from Christian Weingaertner, Managing Director of Passenger Vehicles at Ford Europe, explain the direction in which the Blue Oval brand is taking the redefinition of the autonomous driving experience for SUV customers across the continent.
Ford BlueCruise was the first intelligent driving system to be approved for use in Europe, making its debut in the Ford Mustang Mach-E3 in 2023. BlueCruise is now set to bring a new level of comfort and practicality to one of Europe’s most popular family cars.
Ford BlueCruise has been added to the Kuga’s extensive range of advanced driver-assistance systems, making this cutting-edge semi-autonomous technology accessible to an even greater number of drivers.
These systems, together with a wide range of powertrains – including plug-in hybrids (PHEVs), full hybrids (HEVs) and efficient EcoBoost petrol engines – offer a broad spectrum of options designed to meet the needs of the entire spectrum of drivers, further enhancing the Kuga’s successful track record.
Another new feature in this update to Ford’s popular SUV is the optimisation of the B&O Premium audio system, offering even better sound quality, as well as a premium connectivity option that allows users to enjoy music, videos and entertainment via several of the most popular streaming services.
A new era in motorway driving
The most notable technological advance in this update to the Kuga is Ford BlueCruise, a technology described as ‘hands off the wheel, eyes on the road’, which allows drivers to take their hands off the wheel and release the steering, as well as the pedals, when driving through designated BlueZones. These zones now cover approximately 95 per cent of the motorways and dual carriageways in sixteen European countries, providing a seamless experience for long-distance road journeys. Specifically in Spain, there are currently 28,500 kilometres, representing 90 per cent of this type of track, whilst in Europe the total stands at 135,000 kilometres.
Building on the capabilities of the Kuga’s Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (IACC), Ford BlueCruise actively manages steering, acceleration, braking and lane positioning. The system maintains a safe distance from other vehicles and can operate both at motorway speeds and in heavy traffic with frequent stops. By reducing the need for constant steering wheel movements, Ford BlueCruise can help reduce driver fatigue, whatever the type of journey.
The brilliance of the BlueCruise system lies in its proactive safety system, and to ensure it works correctly, Ford has developed a monitoring system that guarantees the driver’s attention. An infrared camera (Driver Monitoring System), fitted to the instrument panel or elsewhere on the dashboard, constantly monitors the position of the driver’s head and line of sight, even if the driver is wearing sunglasses. At the same time, an advanced set of sensors detects road markings and the position of surrounding vehicles, enabling the car to make smooth and precise corrections. Finally, the Intelligent Adaptive Cruise Control (iACC) monitors everything happening around the car and adjusts the speed smoothly, avoiding unnecessary braking.
When entering a road compatible with this semi-autonomous driving mode, simply activate the cruise control, and an image of a blue steering wheel will immediately appear on the instrument panel; at this point, you can take your hands off the wheel and your feet off the pedals, leaving the Kuga to do all the work.
With this technology, the vehicle remains centred in its lane at all times and the cruise control operates at the set speed whilst maintaining a safe distance from other cars.
The smoothness of the functions and the driving performance are truly remarkable. If BlueCruise is pushed to its limits – for example, due to distraction or extreme tiredness causing the driver to look away for around eight seconds – the system responds first with visual warnings and then with audible alerts if the behaviour persists. If the situation is not rectified, the car begins to brake gradually, even coming to a complete stop in complete safety.
For those who use this advanced SUV for towing, the Kuga also offers Trailer Tow Navigation, which can calculate routes based on the size and weight of the trailer, thereby avoiding narrow roads or low bridges.
Ford BlueCruise, tailored to your needs
Ford BlueCruise has been available on new Kuga models with automatic transmission since last April. This technology forms part of the Driver Assistance package, which comes as standard on the premium ST-Line X and Active X ranges, and is available as an option on the Titanium and ST-Line models.
Recognising that every driver has different needs, Ford offers flexible ways to access its technology. A one-off payment allows you to enjoy BlueCruise without any additional fees for years, although monthly and annual plans are available for customers who want to try out the system or who only need the hands-free driving technology at specific times of the year. All Kuga models compatible with the BlueCruise system are eligible for a three-month trial period.
The new BlueCruise Edition models are distinguished by specific design features both inside and out, in keeping with the technological character that defines them.
The exclusive Vapor Blue colour is paired with a black roof and black wing mirror housings, as well as 19-inch black-finished alloy wheels. Inside, the design is complemented by embossed inserts on the seats and decorative accents in Nordic Blue.
To further enhance the user experience, Connected Navigation is included as standard, with no subscription required. This system uses cloud-based data to provide real-time traffic information and optimise routes, helping you to avoid traffic jams and reach your destination more efficiently.
A world of entertainment at your fingertips
The new Kuga also offers an exciting range of options featuring significant advances designed to enhance the infotainment experience, making every journey more enjoyable and relaxing.
The B&O premium audio system, fitted as standard on the ST-Line X and Active X ranges, has been upgraded from 575 W to 700 W, featuring technologically advanced ‘midwoofers’ in the front doors and separate rear ‘tweeters’ and ‘woofers’, adding two additional audio channels to create an active amplification system, calibrated with greater precision to achieve accurate, distortion-free sound reproduction, even at high volumes.
In addition, a premium connectivity option is now available across the entire Kuga range, offering users access to popular streaming services via Ford’s SYNC 4 system with Alexa Built-in, as well as options for gaming and even karaoke.
Ford BlueCruise represents a paradigm shift in the way we undertake both long journeys and daily commutes; whilst its primary aim is to provide a safe and relaxed driving experience, it also opens up exciting possibilities for future technological development that Ford will continue to explore.
