First 'steer-by-wire' Infiniti Q50 brings car steering into the 21st century
11 Jul 2013|9,415 views
Infiniti's new mid-size premium car - the Q50 - will be the first to benefit from electronic steer-by-wire technology when it hits the roads later this year. Direct Adaptive Steering, standard on certain models in the Q50 range will, for the first time, allow the driver to choose how the wheel feels in their hands.
Light and smooth for manoeuvring or firmer and more agile for sporty driving - Direct Adaptive Steering makes all options available via simple touch-screen controls. Unique to the class, both steering weight and response can be tailored, with all settings stored for each driver in the Q50's sophisticated memory.
Direct Adaptive Steering works by electronically transferring the driver's input to the front wheels where a high-response actuator drives the steering rack. By eliminating the mechanical losses that can dull the responses in conventional systems, steering response is faster and vibration at the steering wheel is eliminated.
Steering is adjusted on a touch screen as part of the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector. Depending on the model, there are up to four pre-set modes plus a personal setting that allows the driver to mix and match effort and response to suit individual driving style and type of road.
A further benefit is that it comes with Infiniti's latest driving technology, Active Lane Control. This steering system keeps the car between lane markings thus reducing the need for continuous steering input.
Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane Control will be standard on the Infiniti Q50 3.5 Hybrid and optional on the Q50 2.2d. Infiniti Q50 models without Direct Adaptive Steering are equipped with electro-hydraulic steering that offers drivers the ability to customise steering weight.
Infiniti's new mid-size premium car - the Q50 - will be the first to benefit from electronic steer-by-wire technology when it hits the roads later this year. Direct Adaptive Steering, standard on certain models in the Q50 range will, for the first time, allow the driver to choose how the wheel feels in their hands.
The steer-by-wire technology is a key ingredient extensively tested by three time Formula One champion Sebastian Vettel. Vettel, who is also Infiniti's Director of Performance, aided in fine tuning the Q50's performance and handling at Infiniti's Tochigi test track in Japan.
Light and smooth for manoeuvring or firmer and more agile for sporty driving - Direct Adaptive Steering makes all options available via simple touch-screen controls. Unique to the class, both steering weight and response can be tailored, with all settings stored for each driver in the Q50's sophisticated memory.
Direct Adaptive Steering works by electronically transferring the driver's input to the front wheels where a high-response actuator drives the steering rack. By eliminating the mechanical losses that can dull the responses in conventional systems, steering response is faster and vibration at the steering wheel is eliminated.
Steering is adjusted on a touch screen as part of the Infiniti Drive Mode Selector. Depending on the model, there are up to four pre-set modes plus a personal setting that allows the driver to mix and match effort and response to suit individual driving style and type of road.
A further benefit is that it comes with Infiniti's latest driving technology, Active Lane Control. This steering system keeps the car between lane markings thus reducing the need for continuous steering input.
Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane Control will be standard on the Infiniti Q50 3.5 Hybrid and optional on the Q50 2.2d. Infiniti Q50 models without Direct Adaptive Steering are equipped with electro-hydraulic steering that offers drivers the ability to customise steering weight.
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