Infiniti plans overhaul of infotainment system by 2021
#1
Infiniti plans overhaul of infotainment system by 2021
Infiniti is working on a fully overhauled infotainment system starting in 2021 that will feature bigger displays but retain the current dual-touchscreen setup. In the meantime, upgrades including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity will be added to existing systems starting next year, depending on the market.
"Next year is going to be the first step of improvement," Infiniti's vice president of product strategy, Francois Bancon, told Australian outlet GoAuto. "And as we move forward with a bigger display, 12.0-inch, 15.0-inch, whatever, of course we are going to improve the accuracy."
He also indicated that "only the media" complains about the dual-screen display and that customer feedback has been strong.
"The appearance of the system, for example in QX50, which is the same as in Q50, we're not going to change. But we just redesign the whole system behind more capacity, faster reaction time, high-definition display and full connectivity."
So the new system will keep the dual-screen setup, which today involves the top screen handling mostly navigation and redundant audio information while the lower screen is used to control vehicle, phone and audio functions (see the below video for more info on how it works). The QX50, which goes on sale in the United States later this year, will also be the first Infiniti to get a 9-inch color head-up display on the windshield, plus smartphone mirroring and data-derived weather and other apps.
The rollout of a new infotainment system coincides with Infiniti's plan to build its first all-electric car in 2021 and release hybrids based on Nissan's e-Power technology. Parent company Nissan has said it wants to sell 1 million electric vehicles annually by 2022.
"Next year is going to be the first step of improvement," Infiniti's vice president of product strategy, Francois Bancon, told Australian outlet GoAuto. "And as we move forward with a bigger display, 12.0-inch, 15.0-inch, whatever, of course we are going to improve the accuracy."
He also indicated that "only the media" complains about the dual-screen display and that customer feedback has been strong.
"The appearance of the system, for example in QX50, which is the same as in Q50, we're not going to change. But we just redesign the whole system behind more capacity, faster reaction time, high-definition display and full connectivity."
So the new system will keep the dual-screen setup, which today involves the top screen handling mostly navigation and redundant audio information while the lower screen is used to control vehicle, phone and audio functions (see the below video for more info on how it works). The QX50, which goes on sale in the United States later this year, will also be the first Infiniti to get a 9-inch color head-up display on the windshield, plus smartphone mirroring and data-derived weather and other apps.
The rollout of a new infotainment system coincides with Infiniti's plan to build its first all-electric car in 2021 and release hybrids based on Nissan's e-Power technology. Parent company Nissan has said it wants to sell 1 million electric vehicles annually by 2022.
#2
Interesting piece I found out about new Lexus infotainment - apparently new office in Ann Harbor that was setup last year is the one doing all-new infotainment (or/and digital gauge) system for Lexus (and I assume Toyota or vice versa) thats coming in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
#3
Lexus Test Driver
Interesting piece I found out about new Lexus infotainment - apparently new office in Ann Harbor that was setup last year is the one doing all-new infotainment (or/and digital gauge) system for Lexus (and I assume Toyota or vice versa) thats coming in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
If indeed the office is working on Lexus infotainment, gauges and etc..., I highly doubt it will include gauges. The Lexus LS just released this year and its holding the most recent updated LFA-inspired gauges. If they were to introduce something "better" than the current Lexus LS gauges or infotainment system - it'll likely damage sales. Unless when they introduce it in 2020 being a concept and it'll make its way during the next generation.
#4
Interesting piece I found out about new Lexus infotainment - apparently new office in Ann Harbor that was setup last year is the one doing all-new infotainment (or/and digital gauge) system for Lexus (and I assume Toyota or vice versa) thats coming in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
#5
Lexus Fanatic
#6
Lexus Champion
Interesting part I found is where they say the media is to blame for the majority of the complaints. I am more interested to know what Nissan’s focus groups and feedback are vs some armchair critic who was never going to buy that Infiniti to begin with. CR is the biggest offender as they wait to months after and data mine all the reviews and then they carefully craft a review or lack of one to their demographic. At least the reviews that are day and date with embargo lifts cannot be influenced by previous published materials.
#7
Lexus Fanatic
If Nissan, or any other brand, released their focus group results I'm sure we'd get a positive spin on them. It wouldn't benefit them any to release much negative feedback on a system that they've decided to rollout. Which is why they probably have no incentive to widely share this information. When it comes to modern infotainment systems my experience has been that you have to live with them for a period to understand their capabilities and shortcomings.
With a public company, they are held to legal responsibility in that they would not be able to "fake" their data results.
And it would not benefit a publication like CR to release their data either so that people could make educated inferences regarding their data. Yet CR makes wild claims with no data backing anything up.
Last edited by Toys4RJill; 04-08-18 at 08:45 AM.
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#8
Lexus Fanatic
#9
Lexus Champion
My point was, that we probably won't see focus group data from a manufacturer. Not that it's necessarily good or bad. It's not in their best interests. If CR or JDP releases their info/data that's different than the manufacturer's.
#10
Lexus Fanatic
At the end of the day, when I read things (especially on the Internet) I want to know what drawbacks or caveats could be found with any of the reported data or how the data was collected. For example, a lot of people mention that the media is wined and dined by the manufactures when the media is all invited to a test drive launch. In contrast, CR waits months after the review embargo's and claims they purchase their test drive vehicles. Neither nor are right or wrong, however, both have drawbacks at that is want to hear or know when a publication is presented. CR has valuable reliability data that is trusted by consumers, however it would more valuable if they allowed their data to be analyzed.
#11
Lexus Champion
Interesting piece I found out about new Lexus infotainment - apparently new office in Ann Harbor that was setup last year is the one doing all-new infotainment (or/and digital gauge) system for Lexus (and I assume Toyota or vice versa) thats coming in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
This is different to their new LCD gauge cluster in current LS, F-Sport models and upcoming Rav4/Corolla... not sure what will be the difference, but in one of the interviews, engineer was excited to show it to the world in 2020.
He also indicated that "only the media" complains about the dual-screen display and that customer feedback has been strong.
It has been my experience that the general public is really only concerned that the technology "works", and if it does not "work" and when given the opportunity to do so, will complain in such surveys as those that JD Power conducts. But getting this technology to work may just involve spending some time learning how to use it and once that learning curve has been surmounted, complaints are few and far between.
Complaints are likely only to come, I believe, if a driver very often switches vehicles that have very different infotainment systems (like members of the automotive media or frequent travellers who are constantly in different rental vehicles). But then, these drivers are probably not going to be fiddling with infotainment systems in each different car they drive, every time they get in one.
Additionally, unlike normal controls like the steering wheel, and accelerator and brake pedals, using the infotainment system is not a constant, continual interaction; any time interaction with that central screen is constant would be with a navigation (if installed) and using the backup camera (which is not installed in all new vehicles in Canada). Intermittent use is not likely to generate complaints, in my opinion, and in my experience.
That data is more than likely to be considered to be proprietary (company secret) engineering data, not to be shared with anyone outside of Nissan / Infiniti. It would only be shared if legally requested in a court case but otherwise it remains behind locked doors.
#12
Weird... Are you sure the office in Ann Harbor is researching for the Lexus infotainment system? Because majority of the tech in the Lexus tends to be developed in Japan - IE: the self-driving tech. Toyota/Lexus is only testing this tech in Tokyo before releasing it.
If indeed the office is working on Lexus infotainment, gauges and etc..., I highly doubt it will include gauges. The Lexus LS just released this year and its holding the most recent updated LFA-inspired gauges. If they were to introduce something "better" than the current Lexus LS gauges or infotainment system - it'll likely damage sales. Unless when they introduce it in 2020 being a concept and it'll make its way during the next generation.
If indeed the office is working on Lexus infotainment, gauges and etc..., I highly doubt it will include gauges. The Lexus LS just released this year and its holding the most recent updated LFA-inspired gauges. If they were to introduce something "better" than the current Lexus LS gauges or infotainment system - it'll likely damage sales. Unless when they introduce it in 2020 being a concept and it'll make its way during the next generation.
And yeah, it was specifically in the new US office and quite interesting.
New Rav4 and Auris (Corolla worldwide) have already shown digital gauges, LS will not be the only model with it... world moves on. Screen is screen too, there is no reason for Toyota digital gauge to be uglier than Lexus's, or competitors.
#13
Pole Position
Interesting part I found is where they say the media is to blame for the majority of the complaints. I am more interested to know what Nissan’s focus groups and feedback are vs some armchair critic who was never going to buy that Infiniti to begin with. CR is the biggest offender as they wait to months after and data mine all the reviews and then they carefully craft a review or lack of one to their demographic. At least the reviews that are day and date with embargo lifts cannot be influenced by previous published materials.
#14
Lexus Test Driver
world is moving on, today's LS will not be latest thing in the next 7 years, it is simply not possible.
And yeah, it was specifically in the new US office and quite interesting.
New Rav4 and Auris (Corolla worldwide) have already shown digital gauges, LS will not be the only model with it... world moves on. Screen is screen too, there is no reason for Toyota digital gauge to be uglier than Lexus's, or competitors.
And yeah, it was specifically in the new US office and quite interesting.
New Rav4 and Auris (Corolla worldwide) have already shown digital gauges, LS will not be the only model with it... world moves on. Screen is screen too, there is no reason for Toyota digital gauge to be uglier than Lexus's, or competitors.
Note: Notice how the S-Class held on to the dual screen virtual cockpit for awhile before it trickle down to the A-Class and everything else. That's just how it works. New stuff is always top-down in terms of release date.
Yes - there is a reason for Toyota's digital gauges to be uglier than Lexus' gauges - its called capitalism. Why should a "non-luxury" car brand have similar-looking gauges or better looking gauges than its own "luxury" brand? Companies differentiate them in order to make their luxury brand look like a "luxury" brand. We will never see similar or as good gauges on a Toyota compared to a Lexus.
#15
Few weeks ago, a co-worker leased a new Infiniti Q70(I think that's what its called now, its the G35 coupe in my brain). 2 door, just a drop dead goregous car on the outside, sort of a sea-foam green/blue sort of color. Interior was mostly black dash/carpets with pale tan, almost white leather seats/accents. Stunning looking car, but man was the dashboard a total dissapointment. I really didn't like the dual screen layout, IMO it looked almost like the old previous gen G35 dash layout, but where they had buttons before, it was that lower touch screen. Lexus, even with their stupid mouse, is miles ahead in interior design. Benz and Audi(especially Audi) are just in a whole different league when it comes to interior design on something costing $40-60k.