Saw FX45 Prototype up close

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I'm not a usual reader of the FX forum, but I thought that those who are would be interested in this info. I stopped by the Infiniti dealer(Monrovia,CA) for a brochure on the new G35c and they had a FX45 prototype there. It's very sporty, with a hunkered down appearance. It's nothing like any other SUV out there. They let my brother sit in it, and even start it up. It has one of those electronic keys like in the newer Mercedes. You can have the key in your pocket and start the car. It has a knob on the column that you use to start the car, I'm not sure how it looks because I didn't start it myself. It idles very quietly, almost as quiet as my mother's Lexus LX470. The prototype had navigation and rear seat dvd. The marketing person gave out some info. This is what he said mind you. He said that there would be 320hp and 20 inch wheels on the FX45. Those 20 inch wheels are quite impressive. Starts at 44K and tops out at 52K. FX35 starts at 36K, sports package includes 20 inch wheels. That obviously comes with the VQ 3.5, I think he said it would have 280hp. FX35 with the sport package is over 40K. The car has a smallish interior. It is much like the X5 in that respect. It has power assist for closing the rear hatch, like a Caddy trunk. I'm pretty sure it had a full size spare under the rear cargo are. The floor was very high, so I assumed a spare was beneath the carpet. I'm sure this car was not meant for off road use, but most luxury SUVs dont get dirty. I dont know anything about the four wheel drive on the FX45. I'm sure its been discussed on this forum already. Final impressions. Very attractive and very sporty, but not much utility. The interior space was not much more than my sisters civic, but its a sweet ride. So if any of this info has helped, I'm glad. Dont blame the messanger if any of the info is incorrect, I didn't take notes. Hopefully they're will be final production autos at the LA Auto Show. See you there.

[fatddyslam69]

not much more than your sisters CIVIC? That statement just threw off the validity of your whole post-SORRY..... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif

[jberger]

Good post,
What did you think about the quality of the interior and the dash?

[**DONOTDELETE**]

I dont know how saying that the interior of the FX45 wasn't much larger than the interior of my sisters Civic nullifies anything I spoke about. The fact that the interior is small doesn't mean that it can't be an attractive car. It just means that there is not much utility in the FX45 compared to the amount of sport. If you want more utility,get an MDX. THe FX45 is an attractive automobile, my brother didn't want to get out of the damn thing. But if utility equals useable space and carrying capacity, this is not the FX45's forte. It is a very stylish and sporty automobile, those are its strengths. Also, someone asked about the interior. The interior was that orange leather seen in most of the prototype pics. I dont find the interior that attractive because of the color. The steering wheel was out of the G35. I was a bit disappointed by the interior materials. The armrest seemed a bit flimsy to me. Keep in mind that this was a preproduction vehicle. My mother has a Lexus LX470. Using that as a benchmark, the FX isn't up to par. But that is what Lexus is known for, quality materials and quality fit and finish. Maybe Infiniti focused on dynamics, power, and style, in which the FX would outdo most Lexus automobiles. If Infiniti threw in a Q45 interior, that would be impressive. I'm telling you what I saw, it might be different in the production vehicles. The FX45 seems to be aimed squarely at the X5. If thats its target, the FX outshines the X5 with its style and power. Hope this helped. Sorry for these long-winded posts.

[fatddyslam69]

The steering wheel is actually from the NISSAN 350Z, and the thing about ur comment about the civic-it was a joke. A joke in which you didnt handle well http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif but i seriously doubt that it was as small or smaller than your sister's civic..... http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif Anyways, i also believe the interior in that orange color looks like crap, but the design looks pretty nice to me. Were you able to see the enginge? was the exhaust note nice? or nothing in particular? did you see the LED/Bi-XENON headlamps with the shudders? What was the exterior color, where the wheels chrome, did it have a roof rack, were there running boards? HOW MUCH WAS IT? http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif

[**DONOTDELETE**]

Sorry for taking it badly. But like I said, I'm usually never on this forum. I knew those interested in the FX45 wanted to here any info they could. I didn't see under the hood. The Infiniti guy said the engine was the 4.5 and it was very subdued at idle. I couldn't believe when they let my brother start it and he gave it a little gas. It sounded very good, but still very quiet. The wheels were silver, and I dont know if chrome is an option. I did see the bi-xenon lights, but not the shutters your speaking about. A salesperson was switching between hi and lo. This is probably the first time some of those Infiniti salespeople saw the FX, so they were quite interested as well. I don't remember seeing any runningboards, but there was a roofrack. The color was orange/copper with orange interior. A hideous combination. This car would be stunning in basic black with a tan interior. Chrome 20's would look great. I did remember that the switchgear was similiar to the g35 coupe, with their metallic trim. I hope this helps anyone interested in the FX45/35. Oh yeah,52K for a fully loaded FX45.

[idontmeanit]

good reports! Did the side mirrors have lights on their front-side(like Mercedes) and like the ad photos? Seem to be missing on the pre-productions photos floating around this site. Also too bad if wheels are not chrome or polished--might cost infiniti some orders already placed.

[2HD]

Nissan is not gonna change the interor. They never do. Look at the Altima and G35 for example. Everyone thought they would upgrade those interiors but they never did. Infact they took away the silver/metalic trim from the Altima. FX45's interior is a twin of the Muranos. They share the same materials. The door handles are straight out of the Muranos. I think the reason why they swithed the combination of colors with black on top and the orange on the bottom was to not make it look like Muranos too much. Instead of looking sweet it ends up looking ugly, just for the sake of it not resembling the Murano too much. This car is already in production, do you really think Nissan is gonna ask for new materials? Once you see the pre-production cars your really seeing the production cars. Thats the way it is with Nissan.

Wouldn't it be easier to just make high quality materials in the first place besides constantly changing them every year? Why add chrome wheels the next year when you could have added them the first? They did the same thing with Q45.

One thing that pisses me off that makes me want to post a whole thread about are the interior door handles Nissan is using. THEY HAVE GONE TOO FAR! The Altima shares the same cheap door handles with, Maxima, G35, I35 and M45! For goodness sake why are they doing this? The door handles are not suitable for Altima let alone M45. Yet the Sentra gets better door handles then all the cars mentioned above! Who is next Q45? Murano and FX45 door handles are not that great either. My sisters Protege has real aluminum door handles. What the hell is wrong with Nissan? Does it really cost that much? Thank you for letting me rant http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/smile.gif In fact I think I will post a thread on this topic!

[mossballs]

i agree 100%. I looked at the G35 awhile back and I went to open the door and I thought I was going to break the handle off. I could not believe how cheap it was. Felt like plastic. Why can't these car makers spend a few bucks more and use rhe kind of material that should be used on a 40-50k car. I can't believe that going from plastic to steel or aluminum for door handles would be more then 50 bucks.I am sure Infiniti must know people are not happy when they skimp on materials.

[**DONOTDELETE**]

The Infiniti marketing guy wasn't sure if the turn signals on the side mirrors would be on the production model. They weren't on the prototype I saw.

[fatddyslam69]

actually, those are not turn signals. If you look at the FX45 in the "Future Models" section of www.infiniti.com (http://www.infiniti.com) it is just a chrome piece that is riveted...not really a turn signal! Which sucks, but hell, that is the truth! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/mad.gif

[JayG35]

Yes, I agree the door handles Nissan is using now are pretty cheap. My dad has a 2001 Maxima which has chrome interior handles that feel alot more substantial and stronger than the G's. It's a tiny bit disappointing but I can live with it. I'll take it even further and say the G35's outside handles feel cheaper than the Maxima's. But all is forgiven one you slam the G's door shut-- sweet, solid thunk from heaven, no rattles like the Max! http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/laugh.gif

[fatddyslam69]

i beg to differ. the outside handles on the G35 feel very solid...but everything is subjective. I just wish that NISSAN/INFINITI would give all of its products the same color dash lights, and the pull handles that are on the MURANO/G35 COUPE. And for INFINITI, all of their products should have LED rear tail lamps and absolutely have the side markers on the side mirrors....ARE U LISTENING INFINITI?!!?1 http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif

[Umi_R98]

who know maybe they're jus holding out for 2004 or 2005. its a thing called marketing. http://forums.freshalloy.com/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif
you can still have a custom FX45 from Infiniti...jus shellout the extra bucks for it. Wouldn't you if your keeping the car for a long time?

[copperhead]

I agree, side makers on the side mirrors is nice. Looks good on the M45 and Q45!

Also all infinitis need tire pressure sensors.