DUNTON, U.K., January 15, 2021 – Drivers of the new Ford Kuga avoid one consequence of physical exertion before getting into cars – the inside of the windscreen misting up.
With many of us exercising outside, and some having to get in the car afterwards, our exertions lead to the cabin steaming up – delaying our journey, if only by a few minutes.
Ford’s Windscreen Weather Station prevents this before it even happens. It can detect moisture in the air as well as detect changes in the temperature of the glass, automatically activating the air con if needed, and selecting the required airflow setting to pre-empt the windscreen misting over. *
Last year, from March to June, Sport England reported 731,000 more runners and 1.2 million more cyclists than before, while Germany saw a 42 per cent increase in runners, as people tried to prioritise staying active.
The Windscreen Weather Station is located on the glass, near the rear-view mirror on the glass. The 5x3cm system consists of several sensors. The latest version, already introduced to the new Ford Kuga – Ford’s most electrified car – also helps improve fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions by reducing the usage of the air-con’s compressor.
Ford recently teamed up with outdoor experience experts komoot to enable drivers to plan, navigate and enjoy an adventure in the great outdoors; and drivers of selected electrified Ford vehicles can utilise FordPass to defrost the windscreen and set the cabin temperature before starting their journey. For the outside, Ford’s patented QuickClear technology de-ices the windscreen in seconds at the touch of a button.
Ingo Krolewski, Ford’s European climate control supervisor, said: ““Waiting for your windscreen to clear after exercising is one of life’s little irritations – but driving without being able to clearly see the view ahead can be dangerous. This technology anticipates the problem and deals with it without the driver even knowing.”
The Ford Kuga is available with three electrified engines – plug-in hybrid, full hybrid and mild hybrid – as well as front- or all-wheel-drive.
The sensor system is included on vehicles with Dual Electric Automatic Temperature Control.
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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 187,000 people worldwide. For more information regarding Ford, its products and Ford Motor Credit Company, please visit www.corporate.ford.com.
Ford of Britain has been sales leader in the U.K. for passenger vehicles and commercial vehicles for 44 and 55 consecutive years respectively, with Fiesta being the country’s top-selling vehicle the 12th successive year. The U.K. is Ford’s third-largest global market and accounts for around 30 percent of total Ford vehicle sales in Europe. Ford is pursuing leadership positions across mobility and electrified vehicles, launching 16 hybrid and electric vehicles in 2020/21. Ford directly employs around 7,000 people in the U.K., with thousands more employed in its extensive dealer network. The Ford Britain Dunton Campus in Essex is the home of its European commercial vehicle business group, the Ford of Britain national sales company, Ford’s banking arm – Ford Credit Europe – and powertrain engineering. Ford’s manufacturing operations are a UK export success story with around 85 percent of engines and all transmissions exported to more than 15 countries on six continents. The value of these exports, including machined engine components, is around £1.5 billion annually.
