2004 Infiniti FX45

[Thai]

Upcoming Infiniti FX45

Preview

What Edmunds.com Says: Blending high-performance thrills with family-toting practicality, the FX45 is a standout in the burgeoning crossover segment.

What We Know: So your passions veer toward high-performance sports cars, but your family obligations have pushed you toward something larger, more practical -- even, stodgy. As the automotive industry sees it, you're the target buyer for a crossover SUV. But Infiniti knows that a shapeless jacked-up station wagon won't do for you. Instead, performance must be primary, and it must be sufficiently overwhelming to mask any family-friendly nature. And that's why Infiniti's FX45 concept has a V8 engine lifted from the Q45 and all-wheel drive adapted from the system in the Nissan Skyline GT-R sport coupe.

The FX45's probable competitors include the BMW X5, forthcoming offerings from Porsche and Volkswagen, and possibly the Audi allroad.

Like BMW's X5, the FX45 aims to please those who seek on-road thrills and, when needed, all-weather capability -- should you feel the desire to scale rocky trails and thrash wildlife, look elsewhere. As a bridge between large luxury sedans (like the Q45) and true SUVs (like the QX4), the FX45 has a four-wheel independent suspension tuned for handling on pavement and lacks a low-range transfer case.

Its relatively low-slung stance and raised rear decklid are more evocative of a sports car anyway (perhaps the 2003 Nissan Z). Entering the FX45, you'll find a four-passenger interior outfitted in handcrafted leather and polished aluminum accents, with a cockpit that includes a special "floating" instrument cluster with a 9.5-inch LCD display. The rear quarters seem to have been designed with tiresome family members in mind. A DVD player and video game system should keep most every rear passenger amused for hours.

Infiniti hopes its FX45 performs more like a luxury sedan than an SUV. As such, the FX comes with a version of the Q45's 32-valve 4.5-liter V8. In the Q, it's rated at 340 horsepower and 333 pound-feet of torque, but Infiniti hasn't committed to any exact figures for the FX45, though the press kit indicates that it has "more than 300" of both. The FX is also replete with all-wheel drive, as well as the Q45's five-speed automanual transmission.

Braking is provided by four-wheel disc antilock brakes. Luxury standards like electronic brake distribution and brake assist are included in the package. Giant 21-inch wheels on the concept suggest that the FX45 wants to be driven hard and give the car's muscular body an upright posture, though we doubt these will make it to the final production version.

Final details regarding the production version of the FX45 are not yet available, but we expect this vehicle to have much in common with the concept car. Once it hits showroom floors, we also expect the FX45 to be well received in the U.S. market, where well-to-do buyers covet the image and all-weather capability of SUVs but don't want to give up car-like handling and luxury amenities. While other manufacturers seem to be moving in a similar aesthetic direction, Infiniti's FX45 is an interesting specimen, particularly with its V8 engine and ostensibly performance-oriented demeanor.

 

[Thai]

Here are some nice pics of the FX:

 

[Thai]

AutoWeek

Nice FX: Infiniti's part-SUV, part-car spotted in pre-production trim

When this vehicle debuted as an example of “Bionic Cheetah” styling back in 2001, we weren’t too impressed. But in this pre-production trim on the beach in California, the Infiniti FX45 looks dressed for success. The last time we saw the Infiniti FX45, it was a near-production concept on the stand at the Detroit auto show in January. That sporty hatch-back featured all-wheel drive, lots of aluminum throughout its frame and body, and 21-inch alloy wheels.

The 2002 concept was a giant leap forward from the original shown at the 2001 Detroit show, a part-SUV, part-car that featured a muscular-looking design along with a long wheelbase, wide track and an aggressive stance. Features included a glass roof with an automatic shade adjustment and a split tailgate with slide-out load floor.

Common to every version of the FX45 we’ve seen are the underpinnings from the Nissan FM platform and power from the M45/Q45’s 300-hp 4.5-liter 32-valve V8, which is expected to be the production drivetrain and chassis for FX45. Look for the Nissan Pathfinder-based QX4 to die off when the FX45—or whatever they decide to call it—debuts next spring.

 

[Thai]

TheCarConnection

Spy Shots: '04 Infiniti FX45
Infiniti’s soft-ute readies for spring sales.

This production-ready 2004 Infiniti FX45 was spotted while parked rather nonchalantly aside a parking meter overlooking the Pacific. Looking almost identical to the 2002 NAIAS concept, this is obviously the final styling.

We expect the newest crossover from Infiniti to debut next spring and be powered by a 300-horsepower 4.5-liter V-8 at introduction, with a 3.5-liter V-6 possibly following in fall 2003.

Infiniti is counting on the car-based (G35/Skyline) all-wheel-drive crossover to be a hit, and forecasters are predicting sales to be roughly four times that of the outgoing QX4.

 

[Thai]

Link:

http://www.freshalloy.com/site/cars/infiniti/2003/fx45/concept/home.shtml

Update: Near production model FX45 photos

By Combining Sports Car Performance, SUV Utility and Infiniti Style Concept vehicles, according to Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President, Design, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., are accelerators of change. “Vehicles like our new Infiniti FX45 Concept are important platforms on which to launch new ideas,” said Nakamura. “Though not everything on a concept reaches the showroom floor, they are indicators of a company’s direction, thinking and spirit. In the case of the FX45 Concept, our direction, thinking and spirit are definitely headed toward performance.”

The second generation FX45 Concept, which makes its world debut at the 2002 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, follows by one year the appearance of a similarly named and themed FX45 Concept – both described by Nakamura as “Bionic Cheetahs” for their combined emphasis on sports car performance with SUV utility. The second generation FX45 Concept has been completely redesigned inside and out but remains an aggressive, V8-powered, all-wheel drive sports luxury design.

“We tested the waters last year to great consumer response and have come back with a new interpretation which is much closer to the actual production model,” said Nakamura. “The fusion of sports car and SUV remains at its core, but we’ve added breakthrough exterior and interior styling to its superior drivetrain and advanced technology.”

A production version of the FX45 Concept has been announced as a future addition to the Infiniti lineup and will go on sale in early 2003.

“The new FX45 Concept represents the shape of things to come for our production crossover SUV,” said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division. “It also represents our intention to stand out from the pack of less exciting, less confident vehicles currently in the market.”

The FX45 Concept takes full advantage of its 112.2-inch long wheelbase, wide stance and 21-inch wheels and tires to create a strong presence, whether in motion or at rest. Rather than adopt a “blended” minivan/wagon/sedan approach, its designers sought an aggressive image – strong, fast and agile – so that the FX45 Concept looks the way it drives. The exterior suggests sports car shapes, but with modern packaging and architecture. The cabin is moved rearward, set back like a sports car, with long doors and the tires pushed out to the corners. A large, Infiniti-style grille and narrow horizontal headlights reinforce the classic sports car effect.

“There’s an elegance and grace to the design, like a cheetah’s fast, beautiful body,” said Nakamura. “It’s meant to feel completely different from current vehicles in the category.”

The FX45 Concept exterior also imparts a sense of “active” safety and security through its broad fenders and beltline, high seating position and large, LED taillights. As a pure Infiniti, luxury has not been overlooked either, with special “Liquid Mercury” paint and polished Aluminum-alloy wheels.

“We see future buyers cross-shopping the FX45 not only against other crossover SUVs but a variety of performance vehicles, so its driving credentials must come through at first glance,” said McNabb. “At the same time, the body offers much more room and utility than traditional sports cars, making the FX45 an everyday, all-weather alternative to the less flexible enthusiast machines.”

Inside, the FX45 Concept’s highly personalized four-passenger interior offers a rich blend of handcrafted Brick-colored leather and polished aluminum accents. Each of the four individual power-operated seats has been designed for the person who will be using it – a driver’s area that allows concentration on driving, a front passenger seat that indulges the occupant with individual heating and cooling controls, intuitive storage and soft lighting, and a state-of-the-art entertainment area with an overhead DVD display and game system for rear seat passengers. The instrument panel offers a special “floating” instrument cluster with a large 9.5-inch LCD monitor.

“The FX45 Concept’s advanced technology features are designed to help the driver stay connected to the outside world and increase productivity without distracting from the primary task at hand – driving enjoyment,” said McNabb.

Dynamic Performance From A 4.5-Liter V8
The FX45 Concept’s 4.5-liter V8 engine is based on the class-leading 2002 Infiniti Q45 powerplant and is planned to produce in excess of 300 horsepower and 300 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. The FX45 also features all-wheel drive with electronic torque demand, a 4-wheel independent suspension with multi-link rear design and 4-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake force Distribution.

“The FX45 Concept’s suspension and drivetrain are designed to provide secure, comfortable on-road handling and all-weather driving performance, giving the driver a sense of athleticism and confidence not unlike an all-wheel drive sports car,” said McNabb. “This new FX45 Concept reflects the personality of the target owners – confident, successful, competitive.”

Details regarding the production Infiniti FX45 will be released at a later date.

 

[Thai]

More pics!

 

[hiluxsurf]

I think i like the FX more then Nissan Murano....

FX looks much better....

but will still wont buy it as i am more into truck based SUVs as oppose to Cute utes..:

4 runner rules....

 

[Thai]

Hilux,

Actually, it looks like a "Designo-Ute." Everything nowadays look like the PT Cruiser to some extent.

 

[Thai]

Infiniti releases details of production FX45 and FX35

Detroit, Michigan - Infiniti released details of its new 2003 Infiniti FX45 and FX45 models, to be unveiled at the Detroit auto show on January 6th, 2003.

The all-wheel drive FX45 is powered by a 315-horsepower 4.5-litre V8 engine (based on the 2002 Infiniti Q45 powerplant) and features standard 20-inch wheels and tires, leather seating and a sport-tuned 4-wheel independent suspension. Also offered is a 280-horsepower 3.5-liter V6-equipped version, the FX35, in all-wheel drive. The FX35 V6 is shared with the G35 sport coupe and sport sedan. All FX45 models utilize a modified version of the FM (Front Mid-ship) platform enhanced for SUV duties. A similar, less modified version of this platform is also found in the G35 sport coupe and sport sedan.

Inside, the FX45 provides a personalized interior environment with cockpit-like styling, sports seats and extensive use of real aluminum trim accents. Other available equipment includes a DVD-based Infiniti Navigation System, rear seat DVD Mobile Entertainment System with wireless headphones and remote control, RearView Monitor, Intelligent Key, Tire Pressure Monitor System and Intelligent Cruise Control. The FX45 goes on sale at Infiniti dealerships beginning in late January 2003.

Highlights:

2850 mm (112.2-inch) long wheelbase, wide track and aggressive stance.
Lightweight cargo door with electromagnetic opener switch and automatic back door closure assist system
32-valve 4.5-liter DOHC V8 producing 315 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque (FX45) or 24-valve 3.5-liter DOHC V6 producing 280 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque (FX35)
5-speed electronically controlled automatic transmission with manual shift mode
Front engine/all-wheel drive (FX45/FX35) or optional rear-wheel drive (FX35)
4-wheel independent suspension with front strut and rear multi-link design, extensive use of lightweight aluminum components, front upper link and rear subframe
4-wheel power-assisted vented disc brakes, 4-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Brake Assist (BA) and Preview braking (available with Intelligent Cruise Control - I.C.C.)
20-inch 8-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/50R20 all-season tires (FX45, available on FX35)
18-inch 7-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 265/60R18 all-season tires (FX35)
Available Tire Pressure Monitor System
Extensive use of real aluminum trim on center console, shifter area, steering wheel spokes and doors
Large information monitor (6.3 inches, 7.0 inches with DVD navigation system)
300-watt Bose audio system with 11 speakers, 6-CD in-dash autochanger
available Intelligent Key with keyless entry and engine start
available Intelligent Cruise Control
available Rear-view Monitor
Dual-zone front climate controls, rear air conditioning vents located in the B-pillars

Exterior and interior designed at Nissan Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi, Japan

Assembled by Nissan Shatai Co., Ltd. in Kanagawa, Japan

 

[Thai]

Link:

http://www.nissannews.com/infiniti/2003vehicles/fx45/specs.shtml

Enjoy!

 

[Thai]

Links:

http://www.nissannews.com/multimedia/infiniti2003/fx45.shtml

 

[Thai]

Pics from above link

 

[Thai]

Link:

Edmunds Preview of FX

First Drive: 2003 Infiniti FX35 and FX45
Infiniti Hits the Ground Running
By Brian Moody

Infiniti lost its way some years ago, and at the same time never really seemed to have a clear path established. Models such as the I30/I35, J30 and G20 never really had a place within a brand that sold a car as cool and advanced as the flagship Q45. Thankfully, those days are gone and Infiniti is now building luxury cars that emphasize performance, technology and edgy styling. The company is on its way to becoming the anti-Lexus, and the FX is the latest offering from a company that has grown tired of playing it safe.

The FX is an all-new vehicle from the ground up. The FX45 is so named because it comes with a 4.5-liter V8, while the FX35 is equipped with a 3.5-liter V6. No, the FX is not a rebadged Nissan Murano and in fact shares no major components with that vehicle. Rather, it has more in common with the G35 and the new Z than any other car. That being said, it's obvious where Infiniti is trying to take this crossover idea — sports-car handling with SUV convenience. The FX35/45 is intended to compete against vehicles like the Porsche Cayenne, Acura MDX and BMW X5.

The FX rides on an enhanced version of Nissan's FM platform and, like the G35 and Z that share that platform, is a rear-wheel-drive vehicle. All-wheel drive is an option on the V6-powered FX35 and is standard equipment on the V8-powered FX45. Even on all-wheel-drive vehicles, though, the bias is toward rear-drive as the front wheels begin to grab only when the rear wheels begin to lose traction.

Exterior styling is always subjective, but at the very least, the FX's appearance will be polarizing. It looks like someone fused a sports coupe upper body to an SUV lower body. Infiniti refers to the FX as a "bionic cheetah," and from certain front angles it does have the muscular guise of this feline. For an SUV-type vehicle, there are precious few straight lines on this car — this is not just another boxy SUV. Especially unique is the angled C-pillar, which gives the illusion that the roof had to be stretched to cover the rear glass.

Intended as a premium crossover SUV, the FX35/45 offers some of the best qualities of a car and an SUV all in one package and with little compromise. Luxury is abundant and both vehicles come standard with reclining rear seats, power front seats, ABS with BrakeAssist, dual-zone climate control, HID headlights (both high and low beam) and an in-dash six-disc CD changer. The FX45 adds heated outside mirrors, driver memory system, one-touch up and down windows for all four positions and 20-inch wheels (the FX35 comes with 18s).

The base vehicles offer plenty of luxury, but the optional equipment packages are where the real fun stuff is found. The V8 Premium Package adds an 11-speaker and 320-watt Bose audio system, steering wheel-mounted controls, Homelink and a cargo net. Add the Technology Package and you get a navigation system, DVD entertainment system, rearview monitor, tire-pressure monitor and an ultracool Intelligent Key system that uses only an electronic signal instead of the traditional metal key. The same packages are available on the V6 model, but that car has an additional Sport Package, which includes 20-inch wheels, sport-tuned suspension and aluminum pedals.

On the winding mountain roads just outside of Palm Springs, the FX45 proved its worth as a genuinely sporty SUV. The vehicle is amazingly well-balanced, and the body exhibits little roll. Massive 265/50 Goodyear Eagles mounted on 20-inch alloy wheels provide more grip than some sports cars. When asked how they were able to offer the production car with 20-inch wheels (just like the concept car), Eijiro Fukai, chief product specialist, said, "The engineers wanted to save money by using smaller wheels, but on this point I would not compromise. [The] FX45 must offer excellent performance on the road for it to be successful." The only drawback to all this canyon-carving performance is that the ride quality can suffer a bit when the road is anything less than smooth.

The 4.5-liter motor is good for 315 horsepower and delivers effortless acceleration. Luckily, all that horsepower can be heard as well as felt. Large chrome dual exhaust pipes resonate with a nice subtle rumble at idle and sound aggressive at launch. The cabin remains quiet, but we found ourselves rolling the rear window down for no other reason than to hear the V8's exhaust note. The 3.5-liter V6 makes 280 hp and produces a higher-pitched exhaust note, which is almost as pleasing as the V8's rumble.

Inside the FX45, there are high-quality materials and contrasting tones that give it an upscale ambience. But it's not just about looks; the interior of the FX is a very comfortable place to pass the time. The eight-way power driver seat can be raised or lowered a full three inches, and the seats themselves have a luxurious feel without being overly soft. Instead of the money-saving silver-colored plastic many companies are using on the dash area, Infiniti put real aluminum on the center console. Just behind the shifter is an opening that can be used as a dual cupholder, or simply a storage box, and even the door for that box is covered with aluminum. The optional 11-speaker Bose stereo sounds incredible and may be one of the few factory-installed systems to rival the Mark Levinson systems offered in many Lexus models.

From behind the wheel, the FX has a noticeably wide stance, and the bulge in the hood gives the driver an authoritative feel. Due to the "sport coupe" look of the roof line, rear visibility suffers a bit. Traditional boxy SUVs offer superior outward visibility in almost every way.

A reasonably equipped FX35 will be priced around $36,000, while fully loaded FX45s will top out at well over $50,000.

The FX35 and FX45 are clearly different and show that Infiniti is willing to take a "no compromises" approach to building high-quality cars that move people emotionally. A blending of sports car and SUV, the FX leans more toward on-road prowess than off-road ability or minivanlike people hauling. At the end of the day, the FX35/45 is exactly what Infiniti claims, a premium crossover SUV. Too bad the word "sport" is hidden in "sport-utility vehicle," because that seems to be where the FX really shines.

 

[Thai]

Pics from preview above

 

[Thai]

Link:

Car & Driver Review of FX45

THE VERDICT
Infiniti FX45

Highs: Gutsy performance, capable handling, flashy styling.

Lows: Hard, unyielding ride; less-than-vast luggage capacity.

The Verdict: A speedy and sexy SUV for a reasonable price.

 

[Thai]

Link:

TheCarConnection.com Review of FX45

Some Quotes:

2003 Infiniti FX45
Finally, the premium SUV buyers really want?

The FX is making its debut shortly after Nissan’s new Murano, and given the similar size of the two vehicles, some might think that the two vehicles are on the same platform. But, read: they are not. To clear up the confusion, the Murano is built on Nissan’s corporate FF-M platform, a primarily front-wheel-drive platform that the Altima, Maxima, and next-generation Quest are based on, and the engine is mounted transversely (side-to-side). The FX, on the other hand, is built on Nissan’s corporate FM (Front Midship) platform, a primarily rear-wheel-drive (and all-wheel-drive) performance-oriented platform also used by the Nissan Z350 and Infiniti G35, and the engines are mounted longitudinally (front-to-back).

Unboubtedly, the FX45 is a hot package and it’s going to give the controversial Cayenne some steep competition. And, in its premium crossover segment, it’s perhaps the closest product yet to deliver what buyers really want.

 

[Thai]

Link:

CanadianDriver.com First Drive of FX45

First Drive:
2003 Infiniti FX45
by Laurance Yap

Los Angeles, California - It must be something in the air. Whatever it is about the entertainment business that drives every waitress or waiter to be an aspiring actor - that has otherwise-normal human beings on constant lookout for celebrity faces - that has even the working poor lusting after a hot car and a set of big chrome wheels for their next rap video - it's endemic to Los Angeles, and I caught the bug bad when I hit the ground.

Okay, so maybe it was something about the temperature, what with twenty-degrees-C being "cold" enough for the locals to put hardtops on their convertibles, but which had me breezing around town in an Infiniti SUV with its windows and sunroof wide open. Here suddenly I was remembering that sitting on my laptop's hard drive was my very own Hollywood dream, a 129-page high-concept movie script: a romantic comedy that isn't actually very funny. There it was, burning a hole through my iBook's case, willing me to the nearest Kinko's to make a copy, begging to be shopped around town in at least a perfunctory manner during the two-day press preview.

Fine then, because what better way to test the mettle of Infiniti's new FX45 than in the environment in which it is likely to be most used - Californian urban sprawl, winding canyon roads, cell phone glued to driver's ear - and what better vehicle than the hottest SUV on the market as a way to potentially open a couple of doors, get people talking to me before they realized just what a fraud I was. "You may have read my columns in CanadianDriver," I would tell the guards at the gates.

See, in L.A., star power has as much to do with cars as it does real people, and judging from an evening and a day with the FX45, it's very much the 'it' car of the moment, sort of the automotive equivalent of, oh, Ben Affleck with Vin Diesel's gravelly voice. And no wonder: just check out those lines - the aggressive, bluff nose with its slanted eyes, the tensely arched roofline, the big-bore exhaust pipes and the massive twenty-inch tires - and no, they're not optional.

I stopped to photograph the FX in an alley behind Rodeo drive and those tires were the source of much discussion. The manager of the Giorgio Armani store swore up and down that the orange Infiniti was the most gorgeous thing that he'd ever seen and that he'd order one for the wheels alone. A jewelry-store owner in a BMW X5 said his brother had one on order, and that he would, too. The parking valets at the Ralph Lauren store declared it absolutely cool and gave it pride of place in the cul-de-sac. Among the famously fickle glitterati, the FX45 is a hit.

It was not, however, with the security guard at the Paramount lot. "Who are you?" the old guy asked again before waving me back out onto the suburban back roads behind the big Hollywood sign. "No, I won't pass your script along to someone who matters." Across town at Universal the response was even more chilled: just a glare and a pointed finger to get the hell out of the lot, please.

Never mind then. With 315 horses underfoot, there were better things to do, anyway. The FX45 has the guts to back up its extreme looks. The 4.5-litre V8 is the same as in the Q45, retuned for more low-end torque. It's hooked to a swift-shifting five-speed automatic that powers all four wheels (in steady-state driving it's almost completely rear-drive, but the split can go to 50/50 during acceleration). Brakes are predictably huge, and there's also a full array of active-safety systems, including ABS with electronic force distribution, brake assist (which applies full stopping power in a panic stop), and an aggressively-calibrated Vehicle Dynamics Control system.

That the FX is based on the exceptional-handling G35 platform (which itself shares its underpinnings, including a multilink rear suspension, with the extra-hot Nissan 350Z) should give you some clue as to the way it drives. The heavy steering levers the FX accurately into corners; body roll is minimal and grip from those huge tires is predictably prodigious. With a fantastic V8 soundtrack as backbeat, I pounded up the Pacific Coast Highway, strafed the curves of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, and roared down Mulholland Drive, and the FX just got better and better.

Among SUVs I've driven, only the $94,000 BMW X5 4.6iS comes close to this level of roadholding and general driver involvement. There's plenty of feedback about the road surface coming up through the steering and the seats, and the brakes have a firm, confident feel. The ride is unabashedly sporty, too - maybe too sporty, as it felt stiff on billiard-smooth California roads, the steamroller tires bumping and bashing over every bump.

With a few more hours to kill before my red-eye flight back home, I decided to drop in on my friend Alex Tobias, a grad student at CalTech and a crazy-driving enthusiast I've known since grade school. Like any (adopted or native) Californian, his 1983 model-year beater has 18-inch tires and a brand-new paint job, and was suitably impressed with the FX45's menacing, muscular looks both inside and out.

FX has the intimate feel of a two-seater in front, with high sills, a tall dashboard, and deeply hooded instruments. Big sports buckets wrap around you, and the bluff aluminum-finished console pushes surprisingly close - a bit tight-feeling, but also putting the majority of the audio, climate and navigation controls within easier reach. The rear seats (there is no third row) feel tighter than they actually are, because of the small glass area and thick pillars. Because of the curving rear clamshell hatch and tight rear overhang, cargo space isn't huge, though, and the liftover is high.

As has been Infiniti's practice, the FX will come with a full complement of standard features, including leather, a thumping six-disc Bose stereo, and power assists for everything. The optional DVD-based navigation system is simply the best such system out there, with impressively quick responses to keystrokes, and a unique bird's-eye view of the map which makes reading it a lot easier. Save for a few cheap touches - hard plastic pieces on the dash, and some switchgear from lowlier Nissans - the finish is up to luxury-car standards.

Such foibles are easy to forgive when you take into account the FX's value pricing. 280 horsepower V6 FX35 models (with 18-inch tires but similar equipment) start at $52,500, and the V8 FX45 stickers at $59,900. A single $7500 package for each model adds navigation, a rear-seat DVD entertainment system, intelligent cruise control, tire pressure monitor, backup camera, brake preview (which works with the cruise control to pre-pressurize the brake system for panic stops) and various other enhancements, meaning that even with a full load, the FX45 still undercuts competitive German models by thousands of dollars.

Needless to say, my Hollywood dreams had kind of fizzled by the time I left for home - all I had to show for my misadventures was a tattered copy of Variety and a few photographs - but by that time I was having too much fun behind the FX's wheel to care. It's a surprisingly focused machine, the current sportiest of the sport-utes (we can't wait to get an FX45 alongside the upcoming Porsche Cayenne S, which costs almost twice as much) and the best-looking one too.

In L.A., as anywhere else, that counts for a lot. Just ask the Kim Basinger look-alike working the front desk at the Hotel Bel Air.

 

[Thai]

Pics from review above

Damn, those are big-ass wheels!

 

[Thai]

Link:

NCTD.com Review of FX35/45

Summary:
The all-new Infiniti FX is an active-participation machine, not a chamber away from the real world. It offers plenty of confidence in its ability driven quickly. Its acceleration and braking set new standards in performance for SUVs. The suspension tuning of the FX45 is on the firm side.

To go with the advanced SUV capabilities, at least on pavement, the FX offers luxury toys such as a rear-view camera, an amazing stereo, a DVD video player for rear-seaters, a cruise control that senses traffic ahead, state-of-the-art stability and braking controls, and a door key that automatically unlocks the doors when you approach the car.

 

[Jason B]

Some cool FX photos.