Infiniti to overhaul infotainment system

INFINITI will next year introduce Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and internet connectivity into its vehicles, and although it will retain the controversial dual-screen display, the car-maker has pledged to deliver higher resolution graphics.

Speaking with GoAuto at the national media launch of the Infiniti QX80 in Victoria, Infiniti Motor Company product strategy vice-president Francois Bancon confirmed that an initial upgrade was in store for models built in 2019, but a fully overhauled system will be fitted to next-generation models from 2021.

“Apple CarPlay will be rolled out next year, depending on the market from March to the rest of the year depending on how we cascade the application,” he said.

“Next year is going to be the first step of improvement, 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.

“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.

“Whether we give it free in some markets (we are unsure) but you have a SIM card and you’re going to have the smartphone mirroring so you can display your smartphone here and do whatever you do.”

The QX50 mid-size SUV – due locally early next year – will also be the first Infiniti to feature a 9.0-inch colour head-up display in addition to the integration of smartphone mirroring technology and data-derived apps such as weather, plus a faster processing speed and improved graphics.

Mr Bancon said he understood criticism of current Infiniti models, such as the QX80, which even lack a digital speedometer and feature only a basic monochromatic trip computer display – at a time when rivals such as Audi offer full-colour units.

“On this kind of car (QX80) we keep analogue, on the QX50 we’re going to have digital TFT technology display,” he continued.

“The limitation here (in QX80) is the display accuracy, we are going to significantly improve this to make sure we have a more accurate definition. As we add autonomous drive features you need extra information in front of you.

“The quality of the screen is going to change. We are going to improve this, of course. But we keep the twin displays … because the feedback from the customer is quite good, it’s intuitive and it works well. To be honest only the media complain about the twin display.

“But that being said we are working on the next generation with a bigger display, we are going to be a full-touch control on the same display because at the end of the day it’s more rational.”

It would appear that although Infiniti will keep a dual-screen arrangement, and continue to segregate navigation and audio functions on the top screen, and phone and vehicle settings on the lower monitor, the division could remain but on a single, supersized high-resolution display in future.

But it will have to wait for the next generation “because it’s not a small change” according to Mr Bancon.