Switzerland: World premiere for Infiniti FX50 and new 5.0-litre V8
Thursday, March 06, 2008, AutomotiveWorld.com
The newly created Infiniti Europe has unveiled what it calls the second generation of its FX large crossover at an event in Geneva, following the motor show press day.
Nissan's premium division says the 5.0-litre V8-engined FX50 will go on sale first in the US (June), with versions for Europe reaching selected markets from October.
Infiniti says there will be three global models grades, with all variants to be powered by a new 390hp (291kW) engine. A 3.0-litre V6 turbodiesel will follow for Europe, at least, in 2010.
As yet there is no news of a replacement for the 3.5-litre 2008 FX35 that Infiniti sells in North America. The FX50 is a direct replacement for the 320hp 2008 FX45. Sources suggest a '2009 FX37' will premiere at the New York motor show later this month.
The vehicle's transmission is also all new, the seven-speed automatic replacing the '08MY FX's five-speed gearbox. The new system features adaptive shift control, downshift rev-matching and solid magnesium paddle shifters, Infiniti notes.
Although rebodied, the new FX closely resembles the outgoing model, with the vehicle sharing Nissan's FM platform with its predecessor. Unlike many rivals, the FX50 has a low stance, short overhangs and a long wheelbase.
Design cues include functional side air vents behind the front wheels, LED for the rear combination lamps and 21-inch wheels, the latter replacing 20-inchers. Another novelty is Infiniti's Scratch Shield paint, a clearcoat designed to better protect the vehicle's exterior finish.
Inside, the Division's signature white-and-violet electroluminescent gauges feature, while there are also sports seats and a new "automatic driving position system", as Infiniti calls it. This feature shifts the steering wheel and exterior mirrors into the correct position automatically should the driver move the seat position while on the move.
Infiniti is yet to announce pricing for the new FX50. Its main rivals will be the BMW X5, the Audi Q7, Volvo's XC90 V8 and various versions of the Mercedes-Benz ML-Class.
Published on Thursday, March 06, 2008
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