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2008 Geneva Auto Show: 2009 Infiniti FX Grabs the Spotlight With World Debut
GENEVA — The 2009 Infiniti FX finally had its coming-out party at the 2008 Geneva Auto show on Tuesday, as the upscale Nissan brand revealed details on the second-generation crossover, including the debut of a new 5.0-liter V8 Infiniti FX50. The Infiniti FX is set to hit U.S. showrooms in June and in Europe in October.
Pricing has not been announced on the new FX, which Infiniti says will be offered in three models.
Beefiness is the leitmotif with the range-topping Infiniti FX50. The FX50's new 390-horsepower 5.0-liter DOHC V8 outguns the standard 4.5-liter V8 in the 2008 Infiniti FX45 by 70 horses. Infiniti said the new V8 is mounted low in the chassis "to help lower the FX50's center of gravity." The new V8 delivers 369 pound-feet of torque and is linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control, downshift rev-matching and solid magnesium paddle shifters. The Infiniti FX50 also ups the ante with larger 21-inch wheels and tires versus the 20-inchers in the 2008 Infiniti FX45.
Curiously, Infiniti did not disclose details of the V6-equipped 2009 FX, saying only that they would be announced later. The second-generation FX is expected to get a larger 3.7-liter V6, so bloggers have started dubbing that vehicle the "FX37."
In styling, the second-generation FX follows the same broad themes as the outgoing model. The emphasis is on fluid, aerodynamic lines, as opposed to chiseled and edgy sheet metal. Infiniti emphasized that it has embraced "sports-car proportions" with the new FX, pointing out the vehicle's long hood, stretched wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs and low overall height "more commonly found on sports cars." Design cues on the '09 model include functional side air vents behind the front wheels, a new front end look and LED taillights. The new FX gets Infiniti's Scratch Shield paint, a "self-healing" clearcoat designed to maintain its looks over time.
The cabin has Infiniti's "double wave" instrument panel and white-and-violet electroluminescent gauges. The FX50 gets a sport seat design with an adjustable air-type side support system for added lateral support. Standard on the FX50 is a new "automatic driving position system" that moves the seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors adaptively into the correct position. "This allows the driver to change the seat position while driving and keep the same viewpoint and relationship between the steering column and the driver's shoulder position," explained Infiniti.
The new FX is a showcase for high-tech features, including what Infiniti describes as the "industry's first application of Distance Control Assist." This technology is said to "reduce the stress of driving in heavy traffic by intuitively helping to release the throttle and apply the brakes to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead." Other high-tech systems include a lane departure warning/lane departure prevention system, intelligent brake assist and intelligent cruise control. An optional FX sport package bundles a continuous damping control suspension, rear active steer and 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
The FX50 comes standard with Infiniti's Around View Monitor, intelligent cruise control and intelligent brake assist.
What this means to you: Lots of good details on the new Infiniti FX50, but we're in a holding pattern for official word on what to expect with the V6 version. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
Pricing has not been announced on the new FX, which Infiniti says will be offered in three models.
Beefiness is the leitmotif with the range-topping Infiniti FX50. The FX50's new 390-horsepower 5.0-liter DOHC V8 outguns the standard 4.5-liter V8 in the 2008 Infiniti FX45 by 70 horses. Infiniti said the new V8 is mounted low in the chassis "to help lower the FX50's center of gravity." The new V8 delivers 369 pound-feet of torque and is linked to a seven-speed automatic transmission with adaptive shift control, downshift rev-matching and solid magnesium paddle shifters. The Infiniti FX50 also ups the ante with larger 21-inch wheels and tires versus the 20-inchers in the 2008 Infiniti FX45.
Curiously, Infiniti did not disclose details of the V6-equipped 2009 FX, saying only that they would be announced later. The second-generation FX is expected to get a larger 3.7-liter V6, so bloggers have started dubbing that vehicle the "FX37."
In styling, the second-generation FX follows the same broad themes as the outgoing model. The emphasis is on fluid, aerodynamic lines, as opposed to chiseled and edgy sheet metal. Infiniti emphasized that it has embraced "sports-car proportions" with the new FX, pointing out the vehicle's long hood, stretched wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs and low overall height "more commonly found on sports cars." Design cues on the '09 model include functional side air vents behind the front wheels, a new front end look and LED taillights. The new FX gets Infiniti's Scratch Shield paint, a "self-healing" clearcoat designed to maintain its looks over time.
The cabin has Infiniti's "double wave" instrument panel and white-and-violet electroluminescent gauges. The FX50 gets a sport seat design with an adjustable air-type side support system for added lateral support. Standard on the FX50 is a new "automatic driving position system" that moves the seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors adaptively into the correct position. "This allows the driver to change the seat position while driving and keep the same viewpoint and relationship between the steering column and the driver's shoulder position," explained Infiniti.
The new FX is a showcase for high-tech features, including what Infiniti describes as the "industry's first application of Distance Control Assist." This technology is said to "reduce the stress of driving in heavy traffic by intuitively helping to release the throttle and apply the brakes to maintain a safe distance from the vehicle ahead." Other high-tech systems include a lane departure warning/lane departure prevention system, intelligent brake assist and intelligent cruise control. An optional FX sport package bundles a continuous damping control suspension, rear active steer and 21-inch aluminum alloy wheels.
The FX50 comes standard with Infiniti's Around View Monitor, intelligent cruise control and intelligent brake assist.
What this means to you: Lots of good details on the new Infiniti FX50, but we're in a holding pattern for official word on what to expect with the V6 version. — Anita Lienert, Correspondent
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