[jkay]

So I keep hearing everyone use the term 'pre-production bugs' when describing the car launch previews at the dealerships.

I'm guessing many are describing the slow and laggy interface on the in-touch system. That seems to be the most common comments I'm seeing. Anyone noticing any other bugs?

So my thought(more a bit of concern) is that the production models are rolling off the lines but no one seems to have been able to update or fix the in-touch issues on the existing cars. I know there are limited numbers in the states for these launches but wouldn't it make sense for Infiniti to update the system in see cars to put their best foot forward at these launches?

So are the problems with the system that bad? I'm guessing yes and that's probably one of the big reasons that Infinti hasn't let any reviewers get their hands on one. The CUE system on the ATS has single handedly counteracted all of the positive press about the car and I'm sure Infiniti doesn't want that for the Q.

Just speculation but what's up with that? Concerns me because it would appear that an update to the system may not be as easy to achieve (or it would be done on all of these Q's so they wouldn't need those stupid signs destroying the interior saying that their IT team didn't meet the deadline to get in-touch working correctly by launch).

Or did Infiniti realize the hardware wasn't up to par and did they make a change to the processor, memory,etc. last minute on the production models? Maybe they had to tweak some things for the new Apple iOS? Who knows?

Cadillac did a HUGE rollout of their CUE update and even gave the owners $50-$100 gas gift card. The update required 1.5 days at the dealership and some people actually got their head units replaced. While its nice Caddy acknowledged the inconvenience, it looks like they should have had the CUE system ready for prime time at launch. Just worried that Infiniti may end up in the same situation.

I have faith in Infiniti and have always liked the way the tech in the cars just works but I am nervous. Those stick-on signs on the passenger dash at the launches just screams a ball drop and they should be embarrassed.

I know these systems are very complicated and the extra features make them even more so but this just raises some concern for me.

It's great they have the car roaming the country so people can see the physical beauty - kudos! But production models are coming off the lines per Ghosn's decision to announce, yet they haven't updated the launch models?

Just a thought to throw out there.

My hope? I'm just making a big deal about nuthin, but it does make you wonder about the potential to upgrade the systems. If they can't do it on their launch vehicles, ummmm . . .

Mountain out of a molehill?

 

[QFiddyS]

Valid points. With any new model that has substantial changes, there will always be bugs. However, when you're dealing with software/hardware like a computer, fixes are not always as easy swapping out bad fuel sensor.

That said, these vehicles were probably built 8-10 months ago, that's a lot of time to make adjustments.

 

[StonedCL]

Keep in mind I believe it is the same car that all of us are talking about.
This car was a pre-production car and about 1000 people played with the interface. Do remember that when we had the jx pre-production model it also had a lot of problems and bugs and it seemed like most the problems where fixed with release of the truck. With any new system with this much tech then the pre-production model will have issues..

 

[SimpsonTide985]

There really is no way for us to determine right now how much different the "final" product will be in terms of those system updates/improvements compared to the pre-production model(s) that have been circling the country.

 

[jkay]

Agreed on all counts. Just find it interesting and thought it worth mentioning. The CUE forums on the Caddy sites are lit up with anger and frustration and the reviews of the car echo that sentiment.

Hoping Infiniti is ahead of the curve on this one. Would just like to see the touring models updated so they work as advertised without the warning signs. That would be a huge coup over the CTS release and create a great comparison about how to launch a car with new infotainment in it. IF they can pull that off.

 

[InfinitiPlusOne]

I am too really concern about the slow and laggy touchscreen. The initial startup screen show it got an "Intel inside" processor. I think the hardware should be good enough. Most likely the software side need to be optimize. Hopefully, when my pre-order Q50 arrive, the touchscreen is at least acceptable to use.

 

[afrosheen]

Personally I wouldn't worry about it much. They know the interface of other manufacturers has gotten lots of grief, and the last thing they'd want is the automotive press getting something negative to beat them over the head with yet again.

The existing cars have a fast nav and interface, I wouldn't expect the speed or snappiness to change much. If anything, it should be faster. If it delays the car's launch to late August, so be it.

 

[brianch]

Reviewers really picked on the ATS for the CUE system. I know some are happy with the CUE - especially after the update. It got blown out of proportion. Just goes to show that one problem can make the entire car seem like a bad car.

I have faith in Infiniti and I've never had a huge problem with older Infiniti systems. Plus I'm not going to let that one thing ruin the rest of the car for me.

 

[jkay]

Reviewers really picked on the ATS for the CUE system. I know some are happy with the CUE - especially after the update. It got blown out of proportion. Just goes to show that one problem can make the entire car seem like a bad car.

I have faith in Infiniti and I've never had a huge problem with older Infiniti systems. Plus I'm not going to let that one thing ruin the rest of the car for me.

My guess is that this is the exact thing Infiniti is trying avoid with the review cars. I have no knowledge, just speculation but if I had to guess I think they want the in-touch as close to perfect as they can get it.

I have faith in Infiniti too, just seems weird that there are no reviews yet and, as someone posted, the Is350 is going to be a big competitor and Infiniti hasn't even taped on their gloves for round one when the Lexus is released next month.

 

[StonedCL]

You guys keep going back to the Is but the IS system they have in that car is the same system that is in most of the Lexus cars. Infiniti is coming out with a whole new system and they want to get it right. This system is going to do a ot more things then the system in the Lexus..

 

[Gandhi]

The system I used in the pre-production car i saw last week was definitely laggy. Almost unusable. The salesman indicated that he had sat in various Q50s and the responsiveness of the system varied wildly from one car to the next, and that it will be worked out in the production models.

Let's hope so.

 

[StonedCL]

You have to keep in mind that the models that where going around where prototypes.. Yes the system a lagging and some thing did not work correctly but they where hand built prototypes.. From what they where explaining to us and all the stuff this car does there probably will be problems with the 1st batch but Inifniti quickly resolves all issues... The car is being built in Japan also and this is Johan de Nysschen big jump from Audi to Inifniti so I am sure they will be ready to go and the system will be working correctly for the most part with release.. Infiniti has A LOT riding on this car being this is the anchor for there whole new strategy and renaming campaign.

 

[jkay]

You guys keep going back to the Is but the IS system they have in that car is the same system that is in most of the Lexus cars. Infiniti is coming out with a whole new system and they want to get it right. This system is going to do a ot more things then the system in the Lexus..

Pro ably the #1 reason I'm not even going to test drive the GS350. I don't like my wife's infotainment system in her RX at all and the newer models just have the same old (and old looking) system with some candy on top. Not for me.

 

[volnedan]

Having worked as a Tier 1 automotive supplier for 10 years, let me clarify a few things about vehicle launches:
- Although these vehicles are pre-production builds, they are NOT hand built prototypes. Almost all plants have 2 rounds of pre-production builds prior to SOP.
- SOP (Start of Production), is the final production process in which the vehicles are deemed "saleable" to the public
- The software issues right now will not be completely and magically fixed by launch. There will be some patch fixes, but if the system is this bad now, it will only get incrementally better. The main concern will be stability, meaning no system freezes or resets.
- The vehicle launch can get delayed if the software in the system is deemed unstable by the plant. Even if engineering signs off on the release, the plant can stop the launch.
- Unfortunately, if they are experiencing this many issues now, it will most likely be a long road. Look at Ford's MyFordTouch system for example. It has been over 3 years since launch and they are still having issues.

Like most Cadillac ATS/XTS owners, you are going to have to accept the imperfections of the infotainment system that come with the vehicle in the 1st model year. Just another reason most people tend to shy away from the first iteration of a new model.

 

[Latrant]

Like most Cadillac ATS/XTS owners, you are going to have to accept the imperfections of the infotainment system that come with the vehicle in the 1st model year. Just another reason most people tend to shy away from the first iteration of a new model.[/QUOTE]


AGREE! This is why I'm waiting and watching and going to get another year or two out of my 2005 Acura TL A-spec 6MT!

 

[pikachu412]

Like most Cadillac ATS/XTS owners, you are going to have to accept the imperfections of the infotainment system that come with the vehicle in the 1st model year. Just another reason most people tend to shy away from the first iteration of a new model.

AGREE! This is why I'm waiting and watching and going to get another year or two out of my 2005 Acura TL A-spec 6MT! [/QUOTE]

This is precisely why I am waiting as well. Good to know there are others thinking the same way.

 

[jallopSR20]

Having worked as a Tier 1 automotive supplier for 10 years, let me clarify a few things about vehicle launches:
- Although these vehicles are pre-production builds, they are NOT hand built prototypes. Almost all plants have 2 rounds of pre-production builds prior to SOP.
- SOP (Start of Production), is the final production process in which the vehicles are deemed "saleable" to the public
- The software issues right now will not be completely and magically fixed by launch. There will be some patch fixes, but if the system is this bad now, it will only get incrementally better. The main concern will be stability, meaning no system freezes or resets.
- The vehicle launch can get delayed if the software in the system is deemed unstable by the plant. Even if engineering signs off on the release, the plant can stop the launch.
- Unfortunately, if they are experiencing this many issues now, it will most likely be a long road. Look at Ford's MyFordTouch system for example. It has been over 3 years since launch and they are still having issues.

Like most Cadillac ATS/XTS owners, you are going to have to accept the imperfections of the infotainment system that come with the vehicle in the 1st model year. Just another reason most people tend to shy away from the first iteration of a new model.

Very interesting. Thanks for the insight, volnedan.

 

[BenW]

Pro ably the #1 reason I'm not even going to test drive the GS350. I don't like my wife's infotainment system in her RX at all and the newer models just have the same old (and old looking) system with some candy on top. Not for me.

I had a gs350 for a month, it's the worst infotainment system I've ever seen, it takes multiple mouse clicks just to change radio stations and inputs. Too bad because the huge screen is beautiful

 

[BenW]

Like most Cadillac ATS/XTS owners, you are going to have to accept the imperfections of the infotainment system that come with the vehicle in the 1st model year. Just another reason most people tend to shy away from the first iteration of a new model.

AGREE! This is why I'm waiting and watching and going to get another year or two out of my 2005 Acura TL A-spec 6MT! [/QUOTE]

Most people? According to that, no one ever buys a new model car?

 

[GtoQ]

AGREE! This is why I'm waiting and watching and going to get another year or two out of my 2005 Acura TL A-spec 6MT!

Most people? According to that, no one ever buys a new model car?[/QUOTE]

No u must have misread what he typed ...he said and I quote " most people tend to shy away from the FIRST ITERATION of a new model" not that no one buys new models ...