Ford Sync’s up its in-car infotainment for Europe at last
Apple Carplay and Android Auto on the way to Mondeo, S-Max, Galaxy, and the new Kuga
In-car tech is about to get a lot better for Ford’s European car line-up – the big blue oval just confirmed Sync 3 would be crossing the pond later this year.
Sync 3 was launched in the US last summer, but so far anyone on this side of the atlantic has had to make do with the older Sync 2 system. It’s beginning to show it’s age, so an update can’t come soon enough.
It’ll support Android Auto and Apple CarPlay on its 8in screen when it arrives, meaning pretty much anyone with a smartphone can swap out the default system for one that better matches their phone.
The vanilla Sync system has seen some upgrades too, so if you don’t hook up your phone you aren’t missing out. Voice control now recognises more phrases in natural language, so you can say “I need to park” or “I need a coffee” and the sat-nav will find the nearest petrol station.
Voice control supports more languages now, including Polish and Swedish.
The new layout and UI design should be easier to read when you’re on the move, too. Sync 2 can be a little confusing, with sat-nav directions further away from the driver than you’d want for at-a-glance navigation.
Unfortunately today’s news came just a little too late for Sync 3 to turn up in the European spec Focus RS – it was stuck with the older Sync 2 when we drove it in January.
The cars that will be getting Sync 3 include the Mondeo, Galaxy, S-Max and the new Kuga, which is getting its debut at Mobile World Congress this weekend.
We’re going to check it out once the MWC show floor opens to see how it stacks up to the US version – for everyone else, you’ll have to wait until the summer to find it inside new Ford cars.
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Tom Morgan-Freelander
Deputy Editor 
