Adaptive Cruise Control: Meet Your New Co-Pilot

ROAD TEST RESULTS

TEST 1: OVERTAKE RESPONSE



Car ahead is traveling at 45 mph. What is the highest overtaking speed at which the test car's cruise control will decelerate fully without driver assistance? (4 points)



Infiniti Q45: 3.5 points

Arrival Speed: 80 mph Comments: Good response and good braking. The response time was unchanged whether the interval setting was long, middle or short.



Jaguar XK-R: 3 points

Arrival Speed: 70 mph Comments: Responded with vigorous braking, slowing the Jag well before the car ahead. Target acquisition seemed a bit later than in the Mercedes or Infiniti.



Lexus LS430: 2 points

Arrival Speed: 70 mph Comments: Slow to react and braked less vigorously than the others, leaving less margin to the car ahead.



Mercedes-Benz E500: 4 points

Arrival Speed: 80+ mph Comments: Quick, strong response slowed the Benz with a large interval remaining. Test conditions prevented higher speeds.



TEST 2: CUTOFF TEST



Test car is traveling at 55 mph. A second car veers into the lane immediately ahead at 45 mph. How responsive is the test car's deceleration sequence? (4 points)



Infiniti Q45: 2.5 points

The Infiniti's alarm went off and braking response was good, requiring no driver assistance.



Jaguar XK-R: 4 points

Braking was instantaneous and strong. No alarm went off. Remaining gap to the car ahead was the best.



Lexus LS430: 1 point

The Lexus responded with an alarm and immediate if lazy braking, bringing it close to the car ahead and requiring driver assistance.



Mercedes-Benz E500: 3.5 points

The E500's reaction was excellent, with powerful braking. No alarm needed. Stopped with generous distance to car ahead.





TEST 3: MOTORCYCLE TEST



The test car, traveling at 55 mph, approaches a motorcycle traveling at 45 mph ahead. Would adaptive cruise control detect this small profile? (4 points)



Infiniti Q45: 1 point

The Q45 acquired the target quickly, slowed, then inexplicably lost the target and reaccelerated (confirmed in three
successive tests).



Jaguar XK-R: 4 points

The Jaguar acquired the target immediately and braked vigorously, leaving an ample, safe interval to the bike ahead.



Lexus LS430: 3 points

The LS430 detected the motorcycle quickly. It decelerated gradually, coming rather close to the bike.



Mercedes-Benz E500: 4 points

The E500 detected the motorcycle immediately and decelerated firmly, leaving a safe interval to the motorcycle in front.





FINAL RESULTS



1st: Mercedes-Benz (11.5 points)

2nd: Jaguar (11 points)

3rd: Infiniti (7 points)

4th: Lexus (6 points)





TEST NOTES



Our test was not scientific, but was designed to assess the real-world usability of adaptive cruise technology. Testing took place about 50 miles north of New York City, near West Point, on four-lane paved public roads. The location allowed for moderate traffic conditions, as well as an assortment of turns and hills. The weather on testing day was clear and sunny, and all the roads were dry. Speeds were measured using the in-car speedometer; no additional equipment was used.