DEARBORN, Mich., Dec. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ –
— New Active Park Assist helps drivers parallel park with the touch of a
button and without ever touching the steering wheel
— Available in mid-2009 on Lincoln MKS sedan and all-new Lincoln MKT
crossover
— Active Park Assist uses ultrasonic-based sensing system and Electric
Power Assisted Steering to steer the vehicle into a parking spot
— Electric Power Assisted Steering also improves fuel economy up to 5
percent, while reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing performance, compared with
traditional steering
The often stressful and frustrating task of parallel parking soon will be
as easy as pressing a button for owners of the Lincoln MKS flagship sedan and
all-new Lincoln MKT seven-passenger luxury crossover, thanks to an exclusive
new technology from Ford Motor Company (NYSE: F) called Active Park Assist.
Available in mid-2009 as an option on the 2010 Lincoln MKS sedan and new
Lincoln MKT crossover, Active Park Assist uses an ultrasonic-based sensing
system and Electric Power Assisted Steering (EPAS) to position the vehicle for
parallel parking, calculate the optimal steering angle and quickly steer the
vehicle into a parking spot.
“With the touch of a button, Lincoln MKS and MKT drivers can parallel park
quickly, easily and safely without ever touching the steering wheel,” said
Derrick Kuzak, Ford’s group vice president of Global Product Development.
“This is another example of exclusive Ford smart technology, such as Ford
SYNC, that makes the driving experience easier and more enjoyable for our
customers.”
Active Park Assist system uses sensors on the front and rear of the
vehicle to guide the vehicle into a parking space. The technology is a major
leap forward in speed and ease of use compared with the camera-reliant systems
offered by competitors, including a video camera-based system offered by
Lexus. Ford’s system requires less driver interface and reduces the risk of
selecting a parking spot that is too tight. Ford’s Active Park Assist also
works in downhill parking situations, unlike competing systems.
Here’s how Active Park Assist works:
— The driver activates the system by pressing an instrument panel button,
which activates the ultrasonic sensors to measure and identify a feasible
parallel parking space.
— The system then prompts the driver to accept the system assistance to
park.
— The steering system then takes over and steers the car into the parking
space hands-free. The driver still shifts the transmission and operates the
gas and brake pedals.
— A visual and/or audible driver interface advises the driver about the
proximity of other cars, objects and people and provides instructions.
— While the steering is all done automatically, the driver remains
responsible for safe parking and can interrupt the system by grasping the
steering wheel.
Active Park Assist is enabled by Ford’s advanced EPAS technology. In
addition to helping with parallel parking, EPAS improves fuel economy up to 5
percent, while reducing CO2 emissions and enhancing steering performance
compared with traditional hydraulic powered-assisted steering systems. EPAS
saves fuel primarily because the steering system is powered by an electric
motor connected to vehicle’s battery, as opposed to engine-mounted hydraulic
pump steering systems.
By 2012, Ford plans to fit nearly 90 percent of the Ford, Lincoln and
Mercury lineup with EPAS.
“As we use advanced technology like Electric Power Assisted Steering to
improve the fuel efficiency across our vehicle lineup, we have the opportunity
to introduce new comfort and convenience innovations like Active Parking
Assist,” said Ali Jammoul, Ford’s chief engineer for chassis engineering and
steering systems. “This is technology not for the sake of technology, but
technology designed to meet the needs and wants of customers.”
As Ford introduces EPAS in more vehicles, it will be able to offer Active
Parking Assist in more models. In addition, Ford is working on using EPAS and
other sensors for other smart technologies, including one that could prevent a
vehicle from drifting out of lane on the highway.
Active Park Assist works in tandem with other new technologies that will
be offered on the 2010 MKS and MKT and other Ford Motor Company vehicles,
including Blind Spot Information System (BLIS(TM)) and Cross Traffic Alert.
BLIS employs a sensor on the outboard rear quarter panel that monitors the
traditional blind spot area, and can notify the driver with a warning
indicator light in the corresponding side view mirror if the sensors in this
optional system detect a vehicle in the blind spot. Cross Traffic Alert uses
BLIS sensors to help detect cross traffic when backing out of a parking space.
More details about the new Lincoln MKT seven-passenger luxury crossover
will be available when it debuts at the 2009 North American International Auto
Show in Detroit in January.
The Lincoln MKS sedan — which went on sale this summer with strong
initial sales that have helped Lincoln gain share in the luxury segment in the
second half of this year — raises the bar on exclusive technologies offered
in a luxury car. The Lincoln MKS features:
— Adaptive Cruise Control, which allows the driver to set and maintain
the vehicle’s speed, while a radar monitors traffic ahead. This optional
system automatically adjusts speed and slows the vehicle to maintain the set
distance behind traffic ahead.
— Intelligent Access with Push Button Start, which allows the driver to
enter the Lincoln MKS and start the engine without using the key. Drivers
simply carry the special fob as they approach the vehicle, touch the keyless
entry keypad on the B-pillar, open the door and, with the brake pedal engaged,
start the engine by pushing a button.
— SecuriCode(TM) Keyless Entry Keypad, which is the next generation of a
feature familiar to many Lincoln owners. It allows access to Lincoln MKS by
unlocking the driver’s door by entering a pre-set five-digit code. The newest
version is now flush-mounted to the B-pillar with backlit numerals that
illuminate to the touch.
— Adaptive Headlamps with Standard High-Intensity Discharge (HID) Lamps,
which enhance nighttime visibility by illuminating more of the road ahead.
Sensors monitor the vehicle’s speed and steering wheel input to engage
headlamp movement and increase the driver’s field of vision.
— Rain-Sensing Wipers, which use an optical sensing system to gauge
precipitation and automatically activate and adjust the wipers. The Lincoln
MKS driver can choose among five sensitivity settings.
— EasyFuel(TM) Capless Fuel-Filler System, which provides a hassle-free
and more consistent seal than a manual fuel cap. EasyFuel self seals when
refueling is complete.
— SYNC, which is standard on the Lincoln MKS. This award-winning voice
activated communications and entertainment system developed by Ford and
Microsoft fully integrates Bluetooth(R)-enabled mobile phones and digital
media players into the vehicle. SYNC incorporates 911 Assist, which can
notify a local 911 emergency operator in the event of an air bag-deploying
incident. SYNC Vehicle Health Report feature can keep the driver notified of
scheduled maintenance, service intervals and vehicle system health
information.
About Ford Motor Company
Ford Motor Company, a global automotive industry leader based in Dearborn,
Mich., manufactures or distributes automobiles across six continents. With
about 224,000 employees and about 90 plants worldwide, the company’s core and
affiliated automotive brands include Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo and Mazda.
The company provides financial services through Ford Motor Credit Company. For
more information regarding Ford’s products, please visit http://www.ford.com.
