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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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.
Any pricing info so far? A 390hp, 7-speed DSG, luxury SUV has got to be very pricey.
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.
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…
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.
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.
Perhaps it doesn’t photograph well. Same basic car as current but seriously overwrought. The grille is fussy and the headlights downright bizarre.
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).
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.
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.
@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.
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.
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.
@jurisb
Have you ever driven any modern diesel?
7 of them. including 2007 diesel merc, diesel bimmer and diesel audi.