Top 10 safety features on the Infiniti Q50

By Chad Lückhoff

We look at ten of the top safety features found in the impressive Infiniti Q50 and what each system offers the driver and occupants.

As the luxury arm of Nissan, Infiniti offers the more well-heeled customer the opportunity to get into something a little more luxurious, something a little more comfortable, something special.

While there is no noticeable drive to market or hold stock of the Infiniti brand in South Africa, their wares are still available to the general public. Larger dealerships still have dedicated Infiniti sections and getting yourself into one is as easy as chatting to your local Nissan dealership, who will gladly help order you a car.

The Q50 goes up against the D-segment sedan stalwarts such as the Audi A4, BMW 3 Series, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Lexus IS and Jaguar XE.

We're looking at the Infiniti Q50 and the plethora of safety systems fitted to models in the range.

 

1. Adaptive Front-lighting System

AFS directs light, not only in front of you but around the corners as well, allowing you to see further around the bends. It reads a signal from the steering and modifies the light beams accordingly. AFS also features High Beam Assist which automatically dims your high beams when it detects oncoming traffic.

 

2. Distance Control Assist

DCA uses radar technology to monitor the traffic ahead of you and helps maintain a safe following distance. Get too close and the system will automatically apply the brakes when you release the accelerator pedal.

 

3. Intelligent Cruise Control

ICC allows you to select your desired speed and will automatically slow your car down when it approaches traffic or a slower moving vehicle ahead, all while maintaining a safe following distance. When the vehicle ahead moves out of the way, the Q50 will accelerate back up to your set speed.

 

4. Around View Monitor

AVM helps you stay aware of your surroundings. Using front and rear sonar systems and a simulated 360-degree camera, you can see obstacles right around your car. It will alert you to moving objects and allow you to safely manoeuvre in and around parking lots safely.

 

5. Predictive Forward Collision Warning

FCW will alert you to a potential collision with obstacles by using radar to gauge the distance between your Q50 and the obstruction. It monitors the speed of your vehicle as well as that of the vehicle ahead of you and will pretension the seatbelts and alert you, allowing you to take action and minimising potential injury.

 

6. Blind Spot Intervention

BSI uses sensors to detect vehicles that may have moved into your blind spot and will alert you to their presence. At first, a visual warning is given but should you start switching lanes the system will give you an audible warning. The BSI system can even apply the brakes on the side furthest from the vehicle in your blind spot to prevent you from straying into their path.

 

7. Back-up Collision Intervention

BCI checks your surroundings when you are reversing and will alert you to traffic that may be approaching and that may cross your path. As with the BSI system, there is first a visual warning, followed by an audible one and finally automatic braking (on automatic gearbox models) that will prevent you from reversing into their path.

 

8. Lane Departure Warning

While similar to the Blind Spot Intervention system, LDW and LDP (Lane Departure Prevention) use the cameras to keep you within the bounds of your lane. If you happen to drift out of your lane, LDW will alert you to this and LDP will help steer the car back between the lines. Vehicles fitted with the Direct Adaptive Steering benefits from Active Lane Control that help keep the car centred in the lane when driving in a crosswind or on a canted road surface.

 

9. Pre-Crash Seatbelts

Pre-Crash Seatbelts will automatically pre-tension themselves, restraining you in the seat, under certain hard braking instances. This helps keep you in the optimum position in the event of a collision and will minimise injuries such as whiplash and airbag-related injuries.

 

10. Forward Emergency Braking

The FEB system scans the area ahead of your car and does the necessary calculations to see if your vehicle will be able to stop in time, should you be heading to an immovable object. If it detects that there is a probable collision, it will automatically apply the brakes and pre-tension the seatbelts.

 

Find yourself a used Infiniti Q50 here: Infiniti Q50 listings