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TruckWorld.com Review of FX45
Question: What do you get when you cross a sports car with a luxury SUV?
More important question: Why would you cross a sports car with an SUV?
Answer: Because you can. Few others are doing it. And if you're Infiniti, it may just work.
The new FX45 is what Infiniti calls a 'bionic cheetah,' a crossover SUV built on the G35 sedan platform -infused with sports coupe genes. All mechanical feline comparisons aside, the result is a nimble, luxurious, technology -enhanced all-wheel drive machine wrapped in the skin of a somewhat big, definitely bold, and thoroughly modern sports car.
FX45, and its less-powerful stablemate, the FX35, fall within the 'premium crossover SUV segment,' one of many sub-segments in the sport utility market and one of the fastest growing. According to Nissan/Infiniti numbers, the segment will have grown 200 percent from 1998 through the end of 2003, while overall volume in the industry will have grown only 7.2 percent in the same period. This translates to a growth from about 240,000 to about 500,000 units by 2006.
At the same time, Nissan is still working on staging a recovery from poor performance throughout the 1980s and most of the 1990s. This Japanese automaker has achieved notable results and has reduced its automotive debt to $2.2 billion from $3.5 billion and posted a $2.8 billion operating profit in the first half of the 2002 fiscal year.
Hopes for recovery are pinned, in part, on Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division, which is launching four new vehicles in 12 months: the G35 sport sedan, the M45 mid-range performance sedan, G35 sport coupe and the FX45/35 SUV lineup.
Like its Nissan cousin, the Murano, FX45 looks thoroughly modern and appealingly different. A strong, snubbed nose is capped by narrow cats-eye headlamps and a bulging horizontally slatted grille. Fog lamps and a big air dam are integrated into the lower front bumper.
Body-color sideview mirrors and chrome door handles accent the profile, which is dominated by a long wheelbase and wide track. Standard 20-inch wheels have aluminum alloy wheels and all-season tires. In back, the 'taut canopy' design is coupe-like in style but SUV-like in proportion. A lightweight, liftback rear cargo door sits above narrow taillamps and dual split chrome taillamps. A rear spoiler is standard on all models.
Under the skin, Infiniti's crossbreed is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 that drops 315 horses and 329 lb.-ft. of torque; FX35 models come with a 280-hp., 270 lb.-ft. V6. Both engines are mated with a 5-speed automatic with manual shift and all-wheel drive. Two-wheel, rear-wheel drive is available on FX35 models as an option.
The vehicle beats the BMW X5 competition, although comes in second to the 340-hp Porsche Cayenne, in horsepower, and bests them both in torque output. A 13.65 weight-to-power ration is better than that of either competitor, while the base price ($44,225) is lower than X5 by a grand, Cayenne S by almost $10,000.
Boosting the 'bionic' side of Infiniti's new model is a host of drivetrain technologies that can be summed up in one long acronym: ATTESA E-TS AWD (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split). That mouthful encompasses VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and a TCS (Traction Control System). In short, there's a very powerful computer that operates as the brain in this cheetah.
Inside, the cockpit is a combination of modern cool and traditional luxury. Brushed metal surfaces trim the center console between driver and passenger seats, steering wheel, and pedals while leather pours over seats and is color-coded with the carpets. Gauges include a large speedometer and tach, placed squarely in front of the driver as in any decent sports car, while the center dash is dominated by a 6.3-inch information screen (7.0-inches with the navigation system).
All models seat four - not five - adults, making the interior more coupe-like than SUV-like. But ample cargo space adds a sport ute element, as does easy entry and egress from sport utility-sized doors. Front seats are comfortable and height-adjustable. Headroom is around 40 inches both front and rear, while legroom is 43.9 inches in the front, 53.2 inches in the back. Hip room is very comfortable due to the four-seat design, with 54.3 inches in front and 55.0 inches in the back.
Luxury amenities include an in-dash AM/FM/cassette/in-dash 6-CD changer with 6 speakers, dual-zone climate control, cruise, reclining rear seat and heated front seats. A driver's side memory system remembers seat, mirror and steering wheel positions. The wheel has power tilt/telescope functions, and the driver's seat offers power lumbar support.
FX45 also offers two option packages - Premium and Technology. Premium adds a sunroof, 11-speaker Bose system, auto on/off headlamps, steering wheel audio controls, a cargo net, and the HomeLink transceiver. Additionally, there is a navigation system, 'intelligent' key and cruise control, DVD entertainment system, rearview sensors to assist in parking and a tire pressure monitor. Roof rails are also available as an option.
FX35 has most of the same standard equipment as the FX45, but wears a 3.5-liter V6, 18-inch wheels and cloth seats. The less-powerful model can also be ordered with Premium, Sport or Technology option packages. Premium adds a bunch of FX45 standard features, like heated leather seats, driver's side memory seat, power lumbar support, and power tilt/telescoping steering wheel - as well as a sunroof, Bose audio system, automatic headlamps, steering wheel stereo controls, a cargo net, and HomeLink. The FX35 Sport has Premium level features, plus 20-inch wheels and a sport-tuned suspension. Technology has all the features of both packages, plus Navigation, 'intelligent' key and cruise, DVD, rearview monitor and tire pressure monitor.
Infiniti describes the FX45 as a "wolf in wolf's clothing" and that becomes apparent on the road. It's a delight to drive and delivers what it promises. Despite a heavy SUV look, it is nimble and very quick, successfully combining elements of a luxury SUV and sports car handling. Most noticeable when getting in are its huge tires, which quickly impress with their ability to carve the road. A quick steering gear ratio and 4-wheel independent suspension give way to tight cornering and a crisp ride while a rigid body structure helps keep things stable. Struts make up the front suspension, while the rear has a multi-link set-up with lots of lightweight aluminum components. A variable torque split means that the torque distribution ratio is almost 50:50 front: rear off the line, and translates into sharp cornering with sure-footed traction - a good balance between sport car and SUV handling traits.
Safety equipment includes ABS with electronic Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), as well as traction control systems. Front and rear roof-mounted side-impact airbags, front dual-stage and driver and passenger side-impact bags are standard, as are LATCH child seat tethers.
The FX45 is a solid crossbreed of SUV strength and sport coupe performance, with the creature comforts that place it squarely against competitors in the premium market. With stand-out styling and a slick new ad campaign, the crossover vehicle is likely to go mainstream very soon.
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