Soon, the
Lexus LS460 will loose its title as the only vehicle that can park itself at the press of a button. Ford's luxury division, Lincoln, is introducing a new 'Active Park Assist' system on their MKS flagship sedan, as well as their new MKT crossover.
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| 2009 Lincoln MKS |
Using ultrasonic radar and electrically-assisted steering, Active Park Assist can select a parking spot, calculate the proper steering angle for that spot and then steer the vehicle into it- all with no driver parking skills required. Driver's are left to simply work the pedals and gear-shift selector.
"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 VP of Global Product Development. "This is another example of exclusive Ford smart technology that makes the driving experience easier and more enjoyable for our customers."
Ford says their Active Park Assist system is easier and faster to use than the camera-based system Lexus offers- requiring less driver interface and presenting less risk of entering a spot that's too tight. Unlike the Lexus system, Active Park Assist can be used on hills, too.
Does the thought of parking a large sedan or crossover SUV bring images of crunched bumpers and swapped paint to mind? If so, be sure to check out Active Park Assist at your nearest Lincoln showroom when it comes to market in mid-2009.
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| Lincoln MKT Concept |
photo:Ford
