The new Ford Edge: driving made easy

Our hectic roads are full of surprises, which is why it’s always good to have an extra pair of eyes on board. Or even better, a quick-thinking collection of cameras, radars and ultrasonic sensors – known as Ford Co-Pilot360 – which work together in the new Edge to keep you and your passengers out of harm’s way, and make life on the road a little easier.

For example, Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop and Go uses radar to automatically maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead. If traffic slows it’ll reduce your speed and even bring you to a complete stop, before accelerating back up to speed when it clears. All without you touching the pedals. At the same time, Lane Centring Assist reads the road and keeps you between the lines by making gentle steering inputs.

The assistance tech also features Pre-Collision Assist with Pedestrian Detection, which keeps a constant lookout for hazards ahead. If you don’t respond to the warnings it will even apply the brakes for an emergency stop. If an object is unavoidable, another smart system kicks in, Evasive Steering Assist, which makes the steering more responsive to help you avoid trouble.

If the worst were to happen, Post-Collision Assist springs into action. Its job is to reduce the impact of a potential secondary collision, by automatically applying the brakes after an initial accident. Slowing the car can potentially lessen injury to occupants and reduce the chances of further damage.

And that’s not all. For further peace of mind, the Blind Spot Information System lets you know if another vehicle or cyclist is out of sight over your shoulder. The tech also combines to form Cross Traffic Alert, which warns you if something comes from either side while reversing, and brakes for you if needs be. Similarly, the Front Wide-View Camera scans from side-to-side as you nose out of a space or junction.

Finally, and for its party piece, the assistance gizmos combine to form Active Park Assist, which is able to automatically steer into parking spaces just 20 per cent longer than your new Edge. Push a button and the sensors start looking for a suitable space as you drive past. It then automatically steers you in, while all you do is operate the accelerator, gears and brake.

This, like all of the driver assistance systems, remains on constant standby – helping you stay cool, calm and collected, for journey after journey.

Article 2 of 5. Look out for more in the series over the month. For more content, visit here