Can I really trust a radar?
Yes — so long as you don’t try to do something stupid to catch it out. The adaptive cruise control uses a radar that scans the road up to 160 metres ahead, looking for slower-moving traffic heading in the same direction. It doesn’t react to stationary cars, nor traffic coming towards you on single-carriageway roads. When it spots a slower-moving car or bike in the lane ahead, it temporarily backs off your speed to maintain a set (and four-level adjustable) distance.
If the vehicle ahead slows, the Multistrada slows too and in extreme situations it even feels like it’s gently applying the brakes. But it won’t bring you all the way to a standstill, nor will it suddenly perform an emergency stop for you. We tested the system on motorways, backroads and busy town centres, and had no problem with it. Just use it as it’s meant to be used: as assistance, not an autopilot.