It is always an exciting time when one of us Yanks can preview an upcoming vehicular feature for our friends across the pond. Most of the time you get the good stuff well in advance of us, but not this time. Today's advance trailer is for the Infiniti FX 'crossover' vehicle.
With every manufacturer crowing about their latest segment-busting machine, kudos must be given to the Nissan upscale division for doing it first, and so well.
The Infiniti looks like nothing else on the road, and repeated viewings have done little to dull our enthusiasm for its aggressive countenance. The cabin is quite spacious for four adults and their luggage; the FX obviously isn't intended as a serious load-lugger, yet it serves normal family duties handily. Materials and construction are top flight, and every conceivable electronic convenience is available.
The driving position is first rate; like the
Nissan 350Z (with which it shares its basic platform) the instrument binnacle moves with the small-diameter wheel. Combined with a well-bolstered seat and the evocative view over the pronounced wings, one would be forgiven for thinking they were about to set off in some type of sports saloon or estate.
The driving experience does nothing to undermine the case. Turn-in is sharp and steering response pleasantly direct. The stance is much more neutral than most SUVs; it takes something like a sports-suspended
BMW X5 to equal the Infiniti's sense of fun. The V6 model, with less weight in the nose, is the more enticing to thread through the twisties, having just that much more clarity of feedback. That said, the V8-powered FX45 isn't a nose-led dud, and has outrageously high limits. It runs 20-inch alloy wheels, which are optional on the smaller-engined FX35. Ride quality is a close match for the BMW as well - very firm and well damped, but somewhat abrupt over sharp, high frequency road disturbances due to its (relatively) short wheelbase. Nissan has a history of tuning specifically for Euro-duty, so expect bespoke springs and dampers when your versions arrive.
What won't change (hopefully) are the propulsion options. Choose the flagship 320bhp 4.5-litre V8 with its monster 335lb.ft of torque and terrific growl, or the modern-classic VDQ-series 3.5-litre V6, here in 280bhp/270lb.ft guise. It's almost as quick, capable of composing throaty orchestral manoeuvres, and is the one go for if fuel costs are a concern. In this department the eight does better than much of its competition in the US, averaging 21.5mpg (US gallons) in hardcore, mixed use. The FX35 will do 2-5mpg better depending on the lead-content of your right foot. The transmission plays its part well, offering seamless upshifts and rev-matched downshifts intuitively through each of its five ratios.
Cynics will opine: "What's the point?" just like they do at the opening of any good popcorn flick. Objectively we must agree. A decent estate has more room, and a true sports saloon handles better. While 0-60mph times spanning the six to seven second bracket (depending on cylinder count) aren't to be sneezed at, a myriad of hot hatches can now be counted on to keep the FX's at bay as well.
There isn't a truly rational reason for contemplating Infiniti's "bionic cheetah". But who says that there needs to be? It's quite practical, fast, handles well, is very luxurious inside, and simply smashing to look at. It also makes the
Range Rover Sport look overpriced (at least over here), and is a wonderful way of being unique. Like a great B-movie, the Infiniti FX doesn't need to pack great meaning to be good fun.
Infiniti FX US range overview
- Infiniti FX35 2WD 3.5-litre DOHC 5-Speed Automatic : $37,800
- Infiniti FX35 AWD 3.5-litre DOHC 5-Speed Automatic : $39,300
-
Infiniti FX45 AWD 4.5-litre DOHC 5-Speed Automatic : $49,750
The Infiniti brand is on its way to Europe, with the FX likely to be one of the models sold in the UK. Note that the car tested and the specifications relate to the North American market only at the time of writing.
