volvos80

If I read correctly, the new C7 will be equipped with an electrical steering system. I am just sitting here reading my Swedish Auto Magazine (Teknikens Värld) which has a 4 page article on the problems with the Audi new electromechanical power steering. An electrical motor instead of hydraulic power stealing to save on gas mileage. The Audi drivers do not feel the car is safe as it constantly require the driver to adjust the steering to drive a straight line. I found similar problems reported from US drivers at
http://www.arfc.org/complaints/2013/audi/a4/steering/problem.aspx
I am definitely a very likely C7 buyer, but I want to make sure we all do not get the feeling of the Audi. Also - Audi does not yet have a fix for their problem so all Audi drivers have to try to keep their cars safely on the road. I hope that GM has had more time to assure their design is good and offers a comfortable experience for their drivers.

Zymurgy

Electronic power steering is certainly not new technology. In 2005 25.8% of cars made in Europe, Japan, Korea and North America had Electronic Power Steering (EPS). By 2011 that had grown to 58.2% (Car and Driver). C&D did a blind test by a committee of 11 editors with many decades of combined experience over their favorite southeast Michigan test loop: 13.8 miles of whoops and hollows, sweeping lefts, and decreasing-radius rights. Each driver completed one 10-item ballot per car.

Their findings: After griping about EPS for years, the shocking revelation is that C/D’s editorial staff preferred the electric system over hydraulic assistance. Total votes in seven out of ten rating categories favored EPS by two to eight points each. Hydraulic shined in only the three Feedback categories where it won the on-center comparison by four points and tied with EPS in our middle-of-maneuver and at-cornering-extremes performance ratings.

So, it appears that Audi has a problem, but this does not extend to EPS in general.

jamesw95

I have electric steering on my Lexus IS F. Very nice.

mcorgiat

I am planning to by a C7 Roadster, right now I have a02 roadster and a 72 LS5, my wife's car is a 2013 Cruze LTZ with electric steering. To me it has a very good feel to it, and the wife love it, what more could I ask for.

Sin City

Everyone is moving to this, including sports car makers. Porsche is using it.

Davidl81

That does not seem like a safe way to do a driving test

volvos80

Thank you all for your very uplifting comments. It was very disturbing to read that Audi seems to have had their problem for a while and not until many drivers complained and newspapers took up the issue will Audi start working on a fix for later this summer. I am convinced and will also order my C7 - it will be white with the kalahari interior.

RC000E

The fact Audi has a problem with something doesnt amount to much. Great racecars, but notoriously unreliable road cars. It comes down to the company that manufactures the system, and the complexity of the system. Knowing Audi...its as complex as possible.

The C7 has a very simple belt driven motor, and the belt is small in length and wide as a timing belt. It will likely be a bitch to replace, but I bet the belt is good for 75k miles, if not more. Every car has its bugs....the c5 did, the c6 did, the c7 will....lets wait and see what they are!

Rad22

My 2010 MB has electrical power steering = great feel, responsive and smooth.

jkcam6017

Maybe you should reconsider selling your Volvo.

Bill17601

It is the future. There are fuel mileage demands that must be met. Interestingly there is a coupler which engages the steering shaft mechanically if the electronics fail.

daixloxbmw

I forgot where I saw it but I recall the C7 using the same ZF-supplied EPS system that is currently used on the 911s. I have heard nothing but positive reviews on the 911's steering so I wouldn't worry too much about this.

DREAMERAK

I saw that too, the 911 steering has received very positive reviews, GM says it's 500%! more stiff than the C6.

JoesC5

There is a direct mechanical connection between the steering wheel and the wheels being steered at all times. The electric motor assists, the same as happens in a hydraulic assisted system.

texvette2

I drove a BMW X3 that had a new steering, think electric. I did not like it. Yes it
tightened and loosened as drove with speed. But I like the heavier feeling of the old
Bimmers. So brought the X5d yesterday. Another did not like is the motor shut off.
Hard too see the benefit. We drove through a residential area. Stop sign after stop
sign, shut off after shut off where is the saving. Could see if idling in a traffic jam but
around town ??????

AmmoVet

Here is a pict from the bash. .

And another

JoesC5

Thanks for providing pics that prove me correct.

travisnd

Exactly... it's not steer by wire. You turn the wheel, which rotates the steering shaft through the column, which turns a pinion gear against a rack gear, which causes the tie-rods to move left or right, which force the spindle to rotate which turns your wheels/tires.

The only thing different is the method by which power assist is achieved. It's an electric motor instead of a belt driven hydraulic pump.

HurricaneRN

In the case of a motor failure there would still be no manual steering unless the pulley de-couples from the gear. It looks like the only reason the wheel is connected to the steering gear is for feedback. Judging by the pulley they have probably designed it to allow a small amount of lateral play to transmit some feel from the tires back through the wheel.

Either way, so long as the electric motors pully is wrapped around that gear you wont be moving the steering wheel without the motors help.

Purdue

So basically those two BMW cars sucked?