By Justin Berkowitz
March 5, 2008 -
Just a few weeks ago, we told you about Nissan's plans to launch the Infiniti brand in Europe. Infiniti has broken their Euro-cherry with their first-ever non-U.S. model launch: the FX50. Leaving aside that the fact that a gas-guzzling five-seat muscle truck may be the wrong model with which to tempt Europeans, the new FX is a gentle evolution. The headlights are a bit weirder, the bronze is even more… bronzy. The V8 engine grows from 4.5-liters and 320 horsepower to 5.0-liters and 390 horsepower. (There will likely be a 3.7-liter out of the G37 also, since the V6 version currently makes up the overwhelming majority of FX's sold in the U.S.) The FX50's transmission is now a seven-speed automatic (pray it's the GT-R's dual clutch system, expect it to be a regular slushbox). If Infiniti really wants to be a player in Europe, this car really needs a V6 diesel. Meanwhile, the FX50 hits U.S. and Canadian showrooms in June.
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POWERED
March 5th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
Third row? The second row in the current version is tiny.
Well, hopefully it means they can kill that Armada re-badge. What a mess that is.
March 5th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Any pricing info so far? A 390hp, 7-speed DSG, luxury SUV has got to be very pricey.
March 5th, 2008 at 5:01 pm
Judging by the space between the C and D pillars, nobody’s gonna want to sit in that third row.
And the V8 needs to be in the G coupe. What a waste.
March 5th, 2008 at 5:16 pm
3rd row? In an FX? Eeeeeeeeeeewwww.
As for a european launch, the FZ has been the most requested vehicle not sold in Europe several years running, according to “Le Quotidien Auto”. it’s shape is so singular that many, many people wanted it. Now, do those people want to buy one? Open question…
March 5th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
FYI to all:
There is no 3rd row, thank goodness. I had bad info coming from a miscommunication with Nissan PR. The blog post has been corrected to reflect.
March 5th, 2008 at 6:07 pm
Thank you for the correction, Justin. I was just about to wonder why they’d bother with that C-pillar. That would’ve been a carsick kid waiting to happen.
After doing a bit of research, I’ve found that the FX is a lot bigger and heavier than what I’d thought. The shape hides it well.
March 5th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Perhaps it doesn’t photograph well. Same basic car as current but seriously overwrought. The grille is fussy and the headlights downright bizarre.
March 5th, 2008 at 8:56 pm
Not bad. I’m sure I’ll warm to the headlamps. Too bad the dash looks cribbed from the Hyundai Elantra, gauge coloring and all.
In my opinion, the 2002 Q45 was the last well-styled Infiniti. The G Coupe, though it garners praise, manages to leave me cold, and the G sedan looks lumpy and melted now.
The M45 was promising, but seems a bit too emotionless. It’s a shame it lost the gravitas held by the original concept (the Nissan Fuga, which hit auto shows in ‘03).
March 5th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I would have to believe that, in the fall, when BMW and Audi come out with a turbo diesel SUV with real world 25 MPG numbers,this FX 50 will have a very tough time.
March 6th, 2008 at 3:21 am
Well done infiniti. how do you compete? Simple. We actually build cars or SUVs ourselves, on our own platforms, not imported, using our own engineers, gearboxes, etc. We add new engines, improve fit and finish and texture, and upmarket it in the segment. we always add more and more models. I don`t really know what do those Americans mean by cannibalizing sales, anyway. Why no diesel? Common, we are marketing this vehicle against cayenne and touareg, not some trembling and shaking diesel econo -box. people who will buy this vehicle, are very unlikely to be MPG counters. Itš a luxury large SUV. buy VW polo if you want economy.
March 6th, 2008 at 6:23 am
@jurisb
“Why no diesel? Common, we are marketing this vehicle against cayenne and touareg”
How many non-diesel Touaregs are sold in Europe? I have never seen a gasser Touareg here. Or a gasser X5 or Q7. Or even a gasser Range Rover.
March 6th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Every time I see a new SUV launch (especially one with a gas-hog V8) I just shake my head (thus my screen name). Don Quixote, fighting windmills.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:11 pm
Mirko- because japanese can`t understand how can you enjoy a sophisticated interior, precision in detailing, rich texture, yet love diesel, which being at idle sounds so plebeian like a tractor half baked. has anyone of you seen those diesels idling or heard them accelerating at full throttle with bleeding black trail of smoke diarrhoea. ? You really think that is a sound of an engine? I think it is a sound of a joke. Screw you germans with your plebeian music of diesel opera. Engine auditions at its worst.
March 6th, 2008 at 4:22 pm
@jurisb
Have you ever driven any modern diesel?
March 7th, 2008 at 2:57 am
7 of them. including 2007 diesel merc, diesel bimmer and diesel audi.