| Infiniti nails it with new 2009 FX |
| By Marcus Amick |
Published
05/1/2008
|
Living
| Unrated |
|
|
|
Infiniti
THE NEW INFINITI FX features a longer wheel base, wider front track and available 21-inch wheels. — Chronicle Media Services Photos
SAN DIEGO — Infiniti had the right idea when they set out to redesign the FX crossover – “improve those things that need to be improved, but whatever you do, don’t mess with the core essence of the vehicle.”
Okay, those weren’t their exact words, but that’s the general idea and a smart one when you consider that the FX has set the benchmark for blending the ideas of crossover, luxury and sport ever since the vehicle was introduced in 2003. The last thing an automaker wants to do when shooting for a redesign is too lose what made it cool in the first place for the sake of launching a new model.
Fact is, Infiniti has practically developed the template for cool luxury crossovers with an emphasis on “sport” rather than just “utility.” And every other luxury automaker that has been trying to develop a ride based on that theme has been scurrying to try to find an identity without seeming to try to duplicate the FX. Few have succeeded, and it’s going to get a lot tougher to pull it off with the new 2009 FX model.
The exterior features a longer wheel base, wider front track and an available 21-inch wheels (nice touch) that gives the crossover even more distinctive presence than the previous model if you can imagine that. It also features new side air events, which normally I wouldn’t like because everybody’s does them now. (Definitely a matter of personal taste). But the FX’s vents are actually functional in that they help to reduce frontal air lift for better performance, which gives the vents much more appeal than those found on rides that are strictly for show.
The Infiniti crossover is available in two models – the FX35, a V-6 with rear wheel drive and all-wheel-drive, and the all-wheel-drive FX50 with an all-new 5.0-liter rated at 390 horsepower and 369 lb-ft. of torque. That’s an increase of 70 horsepower and 34 lb-ft. of torque over the previous generation FX45’s 4.5-liter V8. And you can hear it with the tuned exhaust. The FX50 also has improved gas mileage from 13 city/17 highway on the 2008 model to 14 city/20 highway on the 2009 model.
The all new 3.5-liter pushes out 303 horsepower and 262 lb.-ft. of torque – an increase of 25 horsepower and gets 16/city, 23/highway for the rear-wheel-drive model, and 16 city/21 highway for the AWD model — a slight improvement on the gas mileage for the previous generation.
The new FX features a new 7-speed automatic transmission with available paddle shifts that feels more like a manual that an automatic when it comes to performance. In fact, you tend to forget that you’re even driving a crossover when cornering some challenging roads like those mapped out for our test drive in San Diego. Even with improvements to give the FX a more luxurious ride, it screams sport when it’s time to perform thanks to modifications such as a new suspension and lighter components such as aluminum-alloy front and rear door and a super light aluminum alloy wheel. Some experts have clocked the FX50 as fast as 5 seconds in the 0-60. That’s fast for a crossover.
The FX’s interior is still “classic” Infiniti, which has now become a benchmark for luxury automakers. Key features include leather appointed seats, a 12-point lighting system, available hand-stained maple wood trim, standard Infiniti intelligent key with push button start and standard sliding roof. Other features include a standard premium Bose audio system, XM Satellite Radio, Infiniti’s Navigation System with XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information, and an available DVD mobile entertainment system with a 9-inch flip-down rear screen.
Technological features include an around view monitor – an industry first that gives the driver a bird’s eye view of their surrounding when parking and “intelligent” cruise control which actually helps to maintain a proper distance between you and the car ahead of you between speeds of 0 – 90 mph.
The new FX also features a special scratch shield clear coat paint that actually “self-heals” for marks on the vehicle such as light key scratches.
Safety features include a “lane departure assist” technology that actually alerts the driver with a beeping sound when the vehicle is departing a lane in a manner that seems out of line with normal driving situations. The system, part of Infiniti’s “Safety Shield” innovation, also features an “intelligent” brake assist that goes as far as to automatically apply the brakes if it senses danger of a collision. How’s that for technology?
Final analysis? For those looking for the luxury and performance of a sports car wrapped in the utility of an SUV with style and technology, the FX is tough to beat. It’s a package that will run you anywhere from $32,000 to $48,000, but it’s well worth it if you can afford the sticker. The official price was not available at press time.
Marcus Amick is an automotive consultant and host of the automotive entertainment website, www.MotorRocks.com.
SPECS
Approximately $47,000 as tested
MPG: 14 city/21 hwy
Available 21” wheels
XM Real-Time Traffic
Brake Assist
|
