October 27, 2008 Tailgate mounted cameras are nothing new, but Ford’s new miniature rear-view camera system is enhanced by a very simple idea. Two yellow lines indicating the total width of the vehicle including mirrors are superimposed onto the camera image while a third line marks the vehicle’s center line. The lines move to show the path of the vehicle based on the current steering angle and, while the two lines indicating the width of the vehicle help drivers reverse safely and accurately, the third center line assists in lining up a tow hook with a caravan or trailer.
The system is activated whenever reverse gear is engaged and the camera’s wide-angle view designed to show objects that would otherwise be hidden on a large 7-inch colour display. The rear-view camera, located near the tailgate's Ford badge, is fitted as standard to the Ford Kuga when customers specify the optional premium DVD touchscreen navigation system. If the Kuga is also fitted with Park Assist sensors, the display graphics help the driver judge exactly how far objects are behind the vehicle by providing additional colored bars which indicate distances of 0.3m, 1.0m and 2.0m.