COLOGNE, Germany, Oct. 1, 2020 – Ford Co-Pilot360 driver assistance technologies designed to deliver an intuitive and stress-reducing driving experience have earned the new Ford Kuga SUV a leading position in Euro NCAP’s first Assisted Driving grading.
Kuga finished ahead of vehicles including the Tesla Model 3, Volvo V60 and Volkswagen Passat in the overall ranking, following independent testing of technologies that automatically help the SUV maintain a comfortable driving distance from vehicles ahead, stay centred in its lane, and adjust the speed to within legal limits.
Euro NCAP’s new Assisted Driving programme evaluates features that share control of the vehicle with a driver who retains full responsibility; helping to detect and respond to objects and events for effortless, confidence-inspiring journeys.
Kuga scored more than twice as many points as the Tesla Model 3 in the Driver Engagement category and significantly outscored both the Volvo V60 and Volkswagen Passat for Safety Backup during two weeks of tests, which also assessed the effectiveness of Vehicle Assistance from the technologies.
“For all the freedom and independence it gives us, driving on today’s busy roads can be a demanding and stressful experience. That’s why we designed technologies to take some of the strain from drivers and help them focus more clearly on the road,” said Stuart Southgate, director, Safety Engineering, Ford of Europe. “We worked hard to make Kuga’s assisted driving experience as intuitive, natural and engaging as possible, so that drivers would enjoy taking full advantage of the technologies available.”
Kuga’s available Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Stop & Go, Speed Sign Recognition and Lane Centring uses a combination of radar and camera to monitor the road and traffic ahead, and can automatically keep pace with traffic and road flow as well as speed restrictions in many driving scenarios.
Stop & Go – available with Kuga’s eight-speed automatic transmission – enables the ACC system to bring the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic using up to 50 per cent of total braking force, and automatically pull away if the stopping duration is less than 3 seconds. For stopping durations greater than 3 seconds, the driver can push a steering wheel button or gently apply the accelerator to pull away.
Speed Sign Recognition can adjust the vehicle speed to within legal limits by monitoring the roadside and overhead gantries for speed signs, in addition to using information from the on-board navigation system.
Lane Centring technology monitors road markings and can apply gentle but discernible torque to the steering system to help drivers stay centred in their lane whenever the ACC system is activated. Designed to support drivers at speeds up to 200 km/h (125 mph), the technology will deliver visual and audible warnings if it detects a lack of steering wheel input from the driver.
“The Ford Kuga demonstrates across a wide variety of cars tested that a Good grading is achievable on a high-volume family SUV,” said Richard Schram, technical director, Euro NCAP. “Ford impressed in our first ever Assisted Driving technology grading, showing high performance in all areas and a good balance between Driver Engagement and Vehicle Assistance with a robust Safety Backup.”
Kuga also features advanced technologies designed to help prevent or mitigate the effects of accidents, including Blind Spot Assist and Intersection Assist – both making their global debuts – and Pre-Collision Assist with Active Braking.
Sophisticated technologies last year contributed to the Kuga’s maximum 5-star Euro NCAP safety rating.*
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Kuga fuel efficiency from 1.2 l/100 km and CO2 emissions from 26 g/km NEDC (from 1.4 l/100 km and 32 g/km WLTP)
The declared fuel/energy consumptions, CO2-emissions and electric range are determined according to the technical requirements and specifications of the European Regulations (EC) 715/2007 and (EU) 2017/1151 as last amended. Light Duty Vehicle type-approved using the World Harmonised Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) will have fuel/energy consumption and CO2-emission information for New European Drive Cycle (NEDC) and WLTP. WLTP will fully replace the NEDC latest by the end of the year 2020. The applied standard test procedures enable comparison between different vehicle types and different manufacturers. During NEDC phase-out, WLTP fuel consumption and CO2 emissions are being correlated back to NEDC. There will be some variance to the previous fuel economy and emissions as some elements of the tests have altered, so the same car might have different fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
*Euro NCAP 5-star rating applicable for Kuga 2.0-litre EcoBlue diesel, 1.5-litre EcoBlue diesel and 1.5‑litre EcoBoost petrol
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company is a global company based in Dearborn, Michigan. The company designs, manufactures, markets and services a full line of Ford cars, trucks, SUVs, electrified vehicles and Lincoln luxury vehicles, provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company and is pursuing leadership positions in electrification; mobility solutions, including self-driving services; and connected services. Ford employs approximately 188,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Europe is responsible for producing, selling and servicing Ford brand vehicles in 50 individual markets and employs approximately 45,000 employees at its wholly owned facilities and consolidated joint ventures and approximately 58,000 people when unconsolidated businesses are included. In addition to Ford Motor Credit Company, Ford Europe operations include Ford Customer Service Division and 18 manufacturing facilities (12 wholly owned facilities and six unconsolidated joint venture facilities). The first Ford cars were shipped to Europe in 1903 – the same year Ford Motor Company was founded. European production started in 1911.
