Infiniti Touts Vettel Collaboration in Steer-By-Wire on Q50

InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
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is about to launch the world’s first steer-by-wire system in a production car on the Q50Infiniti Q50Japan, 2013 > present12 versions
26 photos
later this year, and it is quite a gamble. Will buyers be okay with there being no connection between the steering wheel and wheels? And will enthusiast buyers want to give up their connection with the road? Infiniti is trying to assuage buyers by saying that three-time F1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel helped refine the system.

The new system offers multiple modes for drivers to choose from. Vettel helped develop some of the system’s sportier settings for enthusiast drivers. The steering can go from very light to heavier at the touch of a button on the infotainment system. It will even remember the settings for different drivers.

When the driver turns the wheel, data is sent to an electronic motor and actuator that turns the wheels. Infiniti claims that it makes steering faster and removes the parasitic losses from a power steering pump.

There is a backup mechanical steering linkage that will activate in case of failure. There are three electronic control units that are all able to control the system, if they all fail, then it reverts to conventional steering.

Making the system electronically controlled means that the active lane control system can work on it directly. If the car begins to drift out of its lane, the system can direct it back automatically. It is one more step towards autonomous driving.

The steer-by-wire system will be standard on the Q50 3.5 HybridInfiniti Q50 3.5 HybridJapan, 2013 > present4 photos
and an option on the Q50 2.2dInfiniti Q50 2.2Japan, 2013 > present. For this year, those will be the only cars that the system is available on.