Ford is Offering High-Tech Motivation for Buyers of the Mustang Mach-E

Photo Source: Ford

In May of 2023, Ford launched its new “try, then buy” choice to experience BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. It is a much-anticipated new variant of hands-free driver assistance technology, with the 2023 Mustang Mach-E being the first vehicle from the manufacturer to present version 1.2. The update brings automatic Lane Change Assist support to BlueCruise, permitting the electric crossover to move between lanes after the driver taps the indicator stalk. 

Lane Change Assist

The feature performs well whether BlueCruise is in hands-on or hands-off mode. The former requires the driver to be on part of the divided, pre-mapped highways that Ford dubs “Blue Zones”; they are the areas in which the driver-attention camera can track the vehicle operator at the wheel, guaranteeing they are paying attention and prepared to continue driving even if their hands are not on the controls. Outside of those “Blue Zones,” BlueCruise functions as a more familiar Level 2 advanced driver assistance (ADAS) system. It combines lane-keeping with adaptive cruise control while requiring the driver to keep their hands on the wheel for the system to remain operational.

Lane Repositioning

The Blue Oval’s second new feature in BlueCruise version 1.2 is Lane Repositioning. That, the automaker claims, was incorporated in response to owner requests, offsetting the car in the lane when there is a larger vehicle, such as a truck adjacent to them. It is an on-off setting to the driver, even though the offset itself will change depending on the situation. For example, sometimes, it could be a matter of inches, while other times the shift will be more apparent. There will also be an accompanying graphic on the driver display to clarify what is happening.

Predictive Speed Assist

Predictive Speed Assist is included in the update as well, again working in both hands-on and -off modes. It subtly slows the car as the driver enters a curve, thus mimicking the behavior human drivers regularly exhibit. That said, the feature can be overruled on a curve-by-curve basis or disabled altogether. In addition, BlueCruise version 1.2 improves lane centering. 

The Future of ADAS

Even though it is a far cry from what would be considered true autonomous driving, a fact the company has been upfront about from the beginning, BlueCruise – and its Lincoln ActiveGlide cousin – has typically met with a positive response. While General Motors’ Super Cruise may have beaten BlueCruise to both lane-offsets and automatic lane changes, that has not stopped Ford’s method from getting the overall nod in high-profile ADAS comparisons earlier this year.

Trial Period Before Subscription

Furthermore, BlueCruise technology will now be available with a complimentary 90-day trial period for all Mustang Mach-E SUVs. This trial period will allow consumers to experience the technology before activating it through a subscription. The Mustang Mach-E also provides over-the-air software updates, with the latest update featuring video and news applications as standard across all vehicles. These applications can be accessed using the SYNC screen while the car is parked. 

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E is a breathtaking electric vehicle for customers and, if you would like to see why this automobile has been so popular, please come visit Sunrise Ford. We have a dedicated sales team that will make sure your shopping experience is a rousing success. They will make your buying, leasing, or selling needs simple for any of our new vehicle inventory. We are proud to be your dealership home.