What is it?
Infiniti FX45 Concept
What's special about it?
In case you hadn't noticed, the 2002 North American International Auto Show has been overrun with "crossover" SUVs in both production and concept format. From the new Chrysler Pacifica to the Volkswagen Magellan, everyone claims to have a "segment buster" of this type.
But none of them see the Infiniti FX45 coming.
This is one hot vehicle, and it's destined for a showroom near you early in 2003. An Infiniti spokesman told us that this "concept" vehicle is very close to the production model that will compete against the BMW X5 3.0, the Lexus RX 300 and the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
Infiniti wanted to meld a sports car with an SUV, and it looks like it has succeeded. But to stand apart from the crowd of new "crossovers," the company wanted to make sure there was a reason to want the FX45. It needed to impart power in the vehicle's proportions, but maintain elegance, agility, versatility and, perhaps most importantly, a finely detailed and luxurious interior.
At first glance, the company has exceeded its goals.
When the FX45 arrives, a 4.5-liter V8 engine making 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque will power it. An advanced all-wheel-drive system features electronic torque demand, and a four-wheel independent multilink suspension helps to ensure that the FX handles as well as it accelerates. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes include electronic brake force distribution and Brake Assist.
The concept rides on 21-inch wheels with 285/50 performance tires, but don't look for meats this big on the production vehicle. The LED headlights also aren't likely to make the translation to the mass assembly line.
Hopefully, Infiniti will find a way to make the cabin as finely detailed as that on the concept vehicle. Designers wanted a juxtaposition of "warm" and "cool" ambiences, and they found it with the use of handcrafted Brick-colored leather and hand-formed billet aluminum accents. The instrument cluster "floats" above the dashboard, and the navigation system includes a 9.5-inch LCD display. Rear seat occupants, of which there can only be two, get a DVD entertainment and gaming system to fiddle with.
Why should you care?
If you're planning to buy a luxury SUV or station wagon anytime soon, and you want it as much for image as utility, you should wait for the FX45 before deciding what you want to park in the driveway. This is not a serious SUV, what with its four-passenger capacity, small cargo area and limited utility in the rough stuff. Rather, this is what to buy instead of an Audi allroad or Volvo Cross Country if you don't really need an Audi allroad or Volvo Cross Country.
If the production FX45 performs on pavement as beautifully as it looks, Infiniti will have a nice new problem on its hands...the inability to meet product demand. — Christian Wardlaw
Infiniti FX45 Concept
What's special about it?
In case you hadn't noticed, the 2002 North American International Auto Show has been overrun with "crossover" SUVs in both production and concept format. From the new Chrysler Pacifica to the Volkswagen Magellan, everyone claims to have a "segment buster" of this type.
But none of them see the Infiniti FX45 coming.
This is one hot vehicle, and it's destined for a showroom near you early in 2003. An Infiniti spokesman told us that this "concept" vehicle is very close to the production model that will compete against the BMW X5 3.0, the Lexus RX 300 and the Mercedes-Benz M-Class.
Infiniti wanted to meld a sports car with an SUV, and it looks like it has succeeded. But to stand apart from the crowd of new "crossovers," the company wanted to make sure there was a reason to want the FX45. It needed to impart power in the vehicle's proportions, but maintain elegance, agility, versatility and, perhaps most importantly, a finely detailed and luxurious interior.
At first glance, the company has exceeded its goals.
When the FX45 arrives, a 4.5-liter V8 engine making 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque will power it. An advanced all-wheel-drive system features electronic torque demand, and a four-wheel independent multilink suspension helps to ensure that the FX handles as well as it accelerates. Four-wheel-disc antilock brakes include electronic brake force distribution and Brake Assist.
The concept rides on 21-inch wheels with 285/50 performance tires, but don't look for meats this big on the production vehicle. The LED headlights also aren't likely to make the translation to the mass assembly line.
Hopefully, Infiniti will find a way to make the cabin as finely detailed as that on the concept vehicle. Designers wanted a juxtaposition of "warm" and "cool" ambiences, and they found it with the use of handcrafted Brick-colored leather and hand-formed billet aluminum accents. The instrument cluster "floats" above the dashboard, and the navigation system includes a 9.5-inch LCD display. Rear seat occupants, of which there can only be two, get a DVD entertainment and gaming system to fiddle with.
Why should you care?
If you're planning to buy a luxury SUV or station wagon anytime soon, and you want it as much for image as utility, you should wait for the FX45 before deciding what you want to park in the driveway. This is not a serious SUV, what with its four-passenger capacity, small cargo area and limited utility in the rough stuff. Rather, this is what to buy instead of an Audi allroad or Volvo Cross Country if you don't really need an Audi allroad or Volvo Cross Country.
If the production FX45 performs on pavement as beautifully as it looks, Infiniti will have a nice new problem on its hands...the inability to meet product demand. — Christian Wardlaw
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