Ford Motor said it will broaden the availability of its BlueCruise hands-free driver assistance system in Europe starting in 2026, extending the technology to several high-volume models including the compact electric crossover Puma Gen-E. The system, already offered on the Mustang Mach-E since 2023, allows drivers to briefly remove their hands from the steering wheel on approved motorway sections while remaining attentive to traffic conditions.
“Since then, 16 European countries have approved its use in series production, making BlueCruise the most widely used semi-automated system of its kind in Europe,” the company said, adding that drivers can activate the feature “on more than 133,000 specially marked kilometres of motorway, known as Blue Zones.” Ford says the expansion aims to make long-distance travel more comfortable for customers as more markets adopt the technology.
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Beginning in spring 2026, BlueCruise will be offered on the Puma, the Puma Gen-E, the Kuga and the Ranger plug-in hybrid, provided the vehicles are equipped with the required driver assistance package. “This gives drivers the opportunity to take their hands off the wheel on certain sections of numerous federal motorways, known as Blue Zones, while still paying close attention to the traffic. This applies at speeds of up to 130 kph,” Ford said. Pricing details have not been released, with the automaker stating it “will announce subscription options and prices in good time before the sales launch.”
BlueCruise uses cameras, radar and onboard sensors — but no lidar — to detect lane markings, speed limits and surrounding traffic, adjusting steering, acceleration and braking accordingly. An infrared camera monitors the driver’s gaze to ensure they remain alert. The system performs a set of checks each time it is activated to confirm proper road conditions and driver attention. “This can mean a noticeable gain in comfort and additional relaxation, especially on long journeys,” the company noted.
See also: Ford Introduces BlueCruise 1.5 with Hands-Free Automatic Lane Changes on New Vehicles
Torsten Wey, Head of ADAS Features and Software at Ford Europe, said the rollout will make the technology accessible to more customers. “We want to make the latest technology available to as many drivers as possible,” he said. “With BlueCruise and its imminent availability in five European Ford models, we are enabling even more customers to enjoy hands-free driving on the motorway.”
In Germany, the Puma Gen-E starts at €36,900. The driver assistance package required for BlueCruise is standard only on the top-tier Gen-E Sound Edition, while it costs €1,250 on the base model and €1,000 on the Gen-E Premium trim, which starts at €39,400.
