Automatic Future

We See More Automation And Autonomous Driving Cars In Your Future…

With every recent new generation model range huge leaps in technology have been made. The result is that the cars coming to market now are the last of the traditional vehicles we have come to know and love the last 100 years. By 2025 (that is the next generation for many models) almost all new cars will have sophisticated driver aids and use new technology engines.

Ford is one of the pioneers of this evolution. The bread and butter Ranger bakkie range and its sibling the Everest SUV are proof of this. Even they are now offered with smaller advanced 2.2-litre turbodiesels coupled to automatic gearboxes and boasting advanced park and cruise assist, cameras, stability control and SYnC®3 with Navigation as standard, rear camera and PDC included on XlS XlT and limited models.

Ford’s SYnC®3 with Navigation infotainment system has fully featured embedded navigation plus voice recognition that uses simple, real-world voice commands. The system offers the benefits of smartphone integration provided through Apple Car play or Android Auto and periodic over-the-air software updates for SYNC®3 can be downloaded via Wi-Fi.

Sophisticated technologies fitted to most Everest and Ranger models include Electronic Stability Programme (ESP) with Traction Control, Hill Launch Assist and Trailer Sway Control, Adaptive Cruise Control with Heads Up Display, Forward Alert, Collision Mitigation and Distance Alert. Hands-free parallel or perpendicular parking manoeuvres can be done with Active Park Assist, while the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert informs drivers when there is a vehicle in their blind spot while driving or when preparing to reverse out of parking spots. We are talking about bakkies and bakkie-based SUVs here. The next step is a type of autopilot as all the building blocks have been put in place.