[Slurm!]

The guys at Left lane News got their hands on a Infiniti Q50 with Performance Package recently, and they also wrote us a nice first drive review. The biggest point made in the review is about the Direct Adaptive Steering system, or DAS. This system got a bad review when tested in the base Q50, but Infiniti put some work into it now.

The DAS was once a "numb-feeling steer-by-wire system." It works by measuring steering wheel inputs and then relaying that information to two electrical motors mounted on the front axle. The Performance Package's DAS gets a better review than the hydraulic steering system in the end.

Ultimately, Left Lane News says you can skip the performance package if you are just looking for a comfortable cruiser. Here is their "Bottom Line":

The new Performance Package doesn't transform the Q50 into an E30 BMW (the mid-80s BMW 3-Series coveted by enthusiasts), but it does make for a more compelling sports sedan. Though still not the perfect in terms of steering feel, the Infiniti Q50 with Performance Package gives hope that the next-generation of electronic steering systems will be able to live in harmony with driving enthusiasts.

Read the full article here --> First Drive: 2014 Infiniti Q50 Performance Package | New and Used Car Reviews, Research & Automotive-Industry News & LeftLaneNews

 

[brianch]

but does the performance pack version DAS WORK

 

[drod2045]

not a fan of the wheel design, but sounds promising!

 

[selzini]

not a fan of the wheel design, but sounds promising!

They're the same design as the ugly gold ones in the other thread. I don't like them here, either.

 

[Rayz]

Those blade style wheels are ugly.
I doubt there will be any blade or directional wheel that will look good on the Q50.

 

[JayG35]

At least (from what I gather) you don't need to get those wheels to enjoy any tweaks to the DAS system.

 

[chilibowl]

At least (from what I gather) you don't need to get those wheels to enjoy any tweaks to the DAS system.

Its really the tires that count most.

The DAS tweak is in consideration of the 245 up front, and the 265 out back....performance Summer rubber, not run flat garbage rubber. Thats the biggest tweak here.

 

[JayG35]

Ah so the tires in this package are confirmed non-RFTs? If so, awesome. I must have missed that.

Hopefully this is just the beginning of an expansion to other tire choices that don't suck. Well, no offense to any who enjoy the run-flats. I just haven't read any review that didn't consider them a detriment to ride and handling. Consumer Reports sticks out the most in my mind- they made verbal love to the G, and then hated on the Q mostly for what the run-flats did to it dynamically.