This is the new Ford Kuga [Gallery]

Ford this week chose the biggest mobile technology conference on the planet — Mobile World Congress, currently underway in Barcelona — to launch its new Kuga SUV.

While it also announced a series of updates to it SYNC 3 connectivity technology and a commitment to tripling Ford’s engineering investment in semi-autonomous vehicle technologies, the Kuga was still the big news of the day.

Featuring a 120 PS 1.5-litre TDCi diesel engine, the Kuga is packed with technology, including Ford’s new SYNC 3 communications and entertainment system, innovative driver assistance technologies, Perpendicular Parking technology that helps drivers park hands-free in spaces alongside other cars; an enhanced version of the Active City Stop collision avoidance system; and Ford’s Adaptive Front Lighting System for “optimised visibility in low light”. Other technologies include Hands-Free Liftgate and Ford Intelligent All Wheel Drive.

All of these technologies, Ford says, are a guide to just how close it’s getting to being able to launch a fully autonomous consumer vehicle.

The new “Kuga offers cutting-edge new features and technologies that will help drivers stay connected, comfortable, safe and stylish on the road,” said Joe Bakaj, vice president, Product Development, Ford of Europe. “The sophisticated redesign has given Kuga a fresh and modern feel, while SYNC 3 enables drivers to communicate with their vehicle and connected devices in seamless ways that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago.”