Our long-term 2009 Infiniti FX50 was delivered with Sport Package ($3000) that includes:
- Continuous Damping Control with Auto and Sport modes
- Rear Active Steer
- Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS, swiveling headlamps)
- Sport style front seats
- Driver's seat with power bolster adjustment (4-way) with thigh support (D&P)
- Dark-tinted headlights, side air vents and lower door trim
- 21-inch W-rated summers tires and wheels
Unfortunately, we didn't get the Tech Package ($2900), which includes the Lane Departure warning and prevention system.
If we did get Lane Departure, it would work like this:
I tried Infiniti's lane departure system recently on a drive to San Francisco in a M45.
The system worked well, was not intrusive, and fed back just a bit of steering torque to correct the vehicle back into the lane.
However, it is not completely autonomous driving: if you intentionally attempt to leave your lane or you accidently input an extreme vector out of the lane, the system won't save you.
Albert Austria, Senior Engineer, Edmunds, Inc
dubaizen says:
11:57 PM, 10/14/09
Thank you for your response to my query Albert. However, you guys should've spent an extra $3k on the tech package. After all I am sure the the Distance Control Assist would have been a great asset on your busy SoCal freeways. I truly wish Infiniti would offer the tech package to its customers out here in the middle-east.
Oh, your car definitely has the "self-healing" paint (another feature that we "suckers" dont get int eh middle-east"), so I truly am curious it works against small scratches or not. Would be great if you could let us know if after all these months of ownership, if you can find minor scratches on your car or not.
Thanks
petworthian says:
08:10 AM, 10/15/09
Lane departure? For real? It seems to me that if you're having difficulty staying within your lane without electronic intervention, you probably should not be driving. Traction/stability control, ABS, even parking assistance sensors/backup cameras - I can see how these technologies could promote safer driving. Lane departure, though, like adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning, seems like technology that enables tired/intoxicated/unskilled/inattentive/otheriwse unsuitable drivers to "keep on trucking" when they should probably, at the very least, take a break.
boxermike says:
09:59 AM, 10/15/09
"Lane departure? For real? It seems to me that if you're having difficulty staying within your lane without electronic intervention, you probably should not be driving."
Amen.
-mm
cr_driver says:
10:27 AM, 10/15/09
Yes, I agree 100%. But there is people on the streets that should not be driving anyway, so why not help them out and help everybody else at the same time. A safer world.
mortal1 says:
01:27 PM, 10/15/09
If you saw me on the interstate, you'll usually see me locked in at 68mph, cruising along in the slow lane. Why? When I want to go faster, I always wind up behind some dim witted fast lane hog, that cannot comprehend the concept of using it to actually *pass*. It makes my blood boil. My usual cordial disposition quickly becomes foul.
Eventually, I just give up and accept the fact that I'd rather spend an extra 30 min relaxed and cruising along, than spend all my time trying to get around the clots.
I want adaptive cruise control. I want to lock in 2s behind the idiots, and hope that they evually get the fricking picture, and quit wasting everyones time. As it stands, I don't have the patience. The constant battle to get anywhere just kills me.