Nissan has announced that its advanced drive assist technology, called ProPILOT Assist, will be available in the upcoming new edition of its most popular model.
Equipped with the new system, the 2018 Nissan Rogue will be able to automatically control acceleration, braking and steering on the highway, at least when staying in the same lane.
First introduced in the next-generation 2018 LEAF, ProPILOT Assist constitutes one more step in the evolution towards self-driving cars at Nissan. The company promises that eventually the system will be able to manage city driving and intersections, and that it will of course be offered in a wider range of the manufacturer’s vehicles.
"Nissan continues to democratize technology, bringing our most advanced systems to our highest volume models, rather than reserving them for our most expensive vehicles. Customers are delighted when they realize they can afford technology usually reserved for high-end, expensive luxury vehicles. Bringing unexpected value is core to the Nissan brand and our Nissan Intelligent Mobility mission."
- Bert Brooks, senior manager, product planning, Nissan Canada
How does it work?
The driver has access to two buttons on the steering wheel that activate the system (in conjunction with the intelligent cruise control). The system uses a camera and radar in front, sensors and an electronic command module to detect lane markers on the road and keep the vehicle in the centre of its lane, at a safe distance from the vehicle in front of it. It can even bring the car to a stop if needed, for example when traffic gets heavier.
In the absence of lane markers and other reference points, or when the weather is unfavourable (monitored via the status of the windshield wipers), ProPILOT Assist deactivates and the driver retakes control. The driver can also do this by a push of a button, by accelerating or braking, or even by activating the turn signal or turning the steering wheel.
What else is new in the 2018 Nissan Rogue?
The ProPILOT Assist is available in the 2018 Nissan Rogue SL as part of the Platinum Package, which will be offered on the market at the beginning of next year and sell starting at $36,998. The S and SV base models of the Rogue will also be back for 2018.
The Rogue will get other additions for the 2018 model-year. For example, all versions will feature the NissanConnect system compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard equipment. The catalogue of features will also include a Midnight Edition.
While we await the launch of the new edition, take a moment to read our review of the most recent Nissan Rogue.
