::Model
Guide>Infiniti>2003>FX>First Drive Road Test
We all know what SUV stands for, right? Even 11-year-old kids know it stands for Sports Utility Vehicle. That’s where the irony sets in. The most Sport an SUV will see is when it’s parked next to the soccer field. Those unlucky SUVs will be trudging groceries and kids across town instead of pulling Gs around twisty mountain whoop-de-whoops.
Well thanks to manufacturers like BMW with its X5 "Sports Activity Vehicle," a new subset of SUVs known as "crossovers" are gaining momentum. Crossovers are closer to sports sedans since they're on indie-suspended car chassis rather than the truck chassis employed by traditional SUVs. Infiniti may not have been the first on the block with a crossover, but we have a hunch the new FX series crossovers are going to add a second blockbuster model line for Infiniti.
Design
The FX is one of those cars that you will need to reserve judgment on until you see it in person. The FX manages to look sleek and substantial at the same time. The profile is reminiscent of a two door hatchback. From a rear quarter view it reminds us of BMW's previous gen M coupe. Viewing the car from the front, the hood appears to resemble bulging biceps. Then there are the narrow cut headlights with big projector lenses. Infiniti also added its signature horizontal slotted grille. Back in the rear the narrow slit illumination theme is repeated with eyebrow-like LED tail-lights. We think the FX's designers have sucessfully managed to merge the masculine stance of an SUV with a touch of class and substance in a sports car-like profile.
Mechanicals
Let's first clear up a very common misconception: the Nissan Murano and FX series are entirely different vehicles and built on two different platforms. The Murano is tuned for front-wheel drive application (shared with the Altima) with light-duty all-wheel drive capabilities. The FX is optimized for rear-wheel drive and thus it's no surprise that the successful G35 sedan/coupe lends its FM (front mid-ship) platform to the FX. Yes, there are a few shared minor parts but each vehicle has it's own unique identity inside the cabin, and its own singular driving experience.
The FX's platform itself is a bit different from its siblings, as the FX has dropped the front multi-link suspension found on the G35 to a more traditional strut setup to squeeze more space for the bigger V-8 engine and tires/wheels.
To compensate for the increased weight and tire/wheel size (20-inch alloys are standard on the FX45), Infiniti also added structural reinforcements to the front side member, inner sill, rear inner fender, and strut housings. Infiniti calls this is application an "enhanced FM" platform. The rear suspension continues to be a multi-link layout with aluminum components used in the sub-frame, links, and axle housing to reduce weight. Interestingly enough, we didn't notice upper strut-tower braces in either FX model which are found in other FM platform cars.
The FX45 comes equipped with essentially the same 4.5L V-8 (VK series) engine found in the Q45 and M45 except here it has been tuned for more torque than horsepower. The engine features double overhead cams, aluminum head and block with titanium valves, variable induction system, and 4 valves per cylinder. The crankshafts are microfinished and pistons are moly-coated to reduce friction just like its smaller brother VQ series V-6 engine. Horsepower is rated at 315 @ 6400 rpm and torque weighs in at 329 @ 4400 rpm. For comparison, the Q is rated at 340 bhp @ 6400 rpm and peak torque kicks in at 333 lb-ft @ 4000 rpm. We found the V-8 to be a silky smooth power plant with gobs of torque throughout the range. We are excited that the excellent VK engine, which hasn't seen the limelight like the well-respected VQ V-6, will finally find a bigger and more appreciative audience. It's quite easy and perhaps much too easy to reach the century mark without drama in the FX45.
Infiniti estimates the majority of sales will be with the V-6 powered FX35 models. This is essentially the same all aluminum 3.5-liter V-6 engine with double overhead cams and 24 valves found in the G35. Engine horsepower is rated at 280 @ 6,200 rpm and torque is 270 @ 4,800 rpm, coincidentally the same as the G35 sports coupe. Although the G35 coupe copes nicely with a mere 3,400 lbs, the FX35 rear-wheel drive thunders in at 4,046 lbs (add another 200 lbs or so for the AWD model). Although we profess the FX35 rear-wheel drive model is still no slouch. Our guess is a 0-60 of around 8 seconds or so. That said, the FX35 engine definitely does have to wind up a lot higher to reach highway speeds than the torquey FX45 does.
The standard 5-speed auto transmission on all FX models is smooth shifting and works well in tandem with either engine. There's a manual shift mode which according to Infiniti holds a gear up until red line, and then will shift up automatically as a last resort. It's shared with the G35 coupe and improved upon in the G35 sedan's system. When manually shifting up or down, the change is almost instant and lacks any perceptible lag.
The exhaust notes of both engines are tuned just right. It's not as loud or aggressive as the G35 sedan, but it does have a noticeably throaty signature at mid and full throttle. The FX35 may be a bit raspier because of two less cylinders and a smaller displacement, but still manages to sound cool. Dare we say it almost sounds like an Italian sportscar?
Enthusiasts will be stoked to hear the FX AWD system is borrowed from the Nissan Skyline GT-R and thus a fairly well time-proven system. The AWD system (code named ATTESA ET-S) is also found on the outgoing Infiniti QX4, but in the FX series it has been tuned for high performance driving rather than just a traction enhancement system. The FX's AWD system normally sends 100% of the power to the rear drive until the system detects slip, at which time it can transfer up to 50% of the power to the front wheels. The central differential is now an electro-magnetic clutch system and Infiniti claims it's much faster at transferring power to the front wheels than the previous multi-plate clutch.
The AWD works in conjunction with the VDC (vehicle dynamics control). The VDC system is capable of decreasing engine throttle and/or braking individual wheels in order to regain traction if the system thinks the car is skidding.
If you're thinking of driving from New York to L.A., you'll be glad to know that there's a huge 23.8-gallon fuel tank in true SUV fashion. Although with the V-8, you'll be burning through it fairly quickly with an EPA estimate of 15/19 (city/highway). Go with the rear-wheel drive FX35 and you'll get a more efficient 17/23 (city/highway) according to Infiniti.
Being a sporty on-road SUV, the FX has no underbody skid plates intended for off-road use, according to Infiniti, but it does have underbody airflow plates which along with the sleek body profile contribute to an exemplarily (for an SUV) co-efficient of drag rating of 0.35. For comparison sakes, the BMW X5 has a Cd of 0.36 and the Cayenne is rated (surprisingly higher) at 0.39 Cd.
Both FX45 and FX35 models we drove exhibited solid braking, if a tad less touchy than the G35, which some view as "too grabby." (Perhaps previous journalists already tortured the ones we drove, so a new FX may exhibit the same tendency to grab quickly like the G35). The FX features dinner plate-sized 12.60 x 1.10-inch discs front and 12.13 x 0.63 rear. Even though it doesn't employ two-piston calipers, the single piston is relatively sizable; 63.6 mm front and 42.9 mm rear to clamp the pads down effectively. Like other Infiniti cars, the FX series also features ABS and EBD (electronic brake force distribution) to assist during emergency stops. On a quick side note, we noticed that Car and Driver was able to haul an FX45 down from 70-0 in just 160 feet, impressive for a two-ton vehicle.
Driving impressions
All of the aforementioned items are great on paper but it only hints at the sporty nature of the FX. It's only when you get some seat time you'll come to appreciate the near sports sedan-like handling and responsive engines. The three-spoke steering wheel shared with the G35 hints at the similarities in driving dynamics. The steering feel itself is nicely boosted with light effort at low speeds with gradual firming at higher speeds. Just like a BMW, the steering wheel allows the driver to feel the subtleties of the road's surface with very little harshness coming through. Even with its higher ground clearance and heavier weight, the FX still closely mimics the G35 sedan's handling. We were pleasantly surprised with the chassis exhibiting very little body roll and optimal weight transfer during our high-speed canyon carving up in the mountains behind Palm Springs.
The car exhibited gobs of grip around tight corners thanks in part to the meaty 265 mm width tires. The FX35 is fitted with 265/60R18 tires while the FX45 grabs the tarmac with 265/50R20 tires. Both FX models inspire a good degree of confidence blazing up and down mountain roads even when there are no guardrails present. Though the FX45 we first drove was a bit heavier than the rear wheel drive FX35 we drove afterwards, we noticed the V-8 powered FX was still capable of being a true GT when the roads called for it. The FX35 would dominate the corners but the FX45 would catch up on the straightaway. One improvement we'd like to see is a slightly less harsh and quieter ride. Don't get us wrong, the FX body/suspension feels solid and absorbs most bumps. There's very little wind noise but certain road joints and potholes transmit a bit too much impact harshness into the cabin. Given a choice, we'd pick the FX45 for cross-country touring and the FX35 for the local
twisties.
Interior
Once we sat inside the FX, it would be an understatement to say we were pleasantly surprised at the quality of the materials as well as fit and finish. The interior vastly exceeds our expectations after being disappointed with some of the cost-cutting found in other Infiniti and Nissan vehicles. Let's start off with the gauges, which are sharp and easy to read with classy chrome bezels. The gauge cluster moves with the steering column's tilt for optimal line of sight. As in a proper luxo-sport vehicle, the FX45 also features a powered tilt and telescope function which automatically tilts up when exiting the car.
The center console houses a large information LCD display for the climate and radio controls. On models equipped with the
"Technology Package," there's an easy to read color display used for Infiniti's unique "Bird-View" GPS navigation system that displays a bird's eye perspective of the map as an option. We were disappointed with the display on non-navigation FX models with an
amber-on-black display, which pales in contrast to the nice colorful navigation version. If Infiniti could utilize the color LCD display across all models regardless of navigation option, they could win some points with us (and the consumer, of course).
The FX features standard automatic dual zone climate control which can be easily adjusted up or down with easy to find rocker buttons. Radio controls are also intuitive with big rotary volume and tuner controls. All FXs receive an in-dash 6-disc changer with an optional 11-speaker 300-watt Bose system. The Bose system features a center speaker on the dash along with two 5.25 woofers and other speakers literally surrounding the cabin for some of the best music we've heard in any car. The soundstage/stereo separation is positioned optimally; the power is clear and undistorted even at high volume for an overall impressive package. You'll notice the Bose system in the FX eschews the "Noise Pilot" active equalization found in the Q in exchange for car speed-compensated automatic volume control. Nevertheless we still found the Bose system comparable with any other top market system.
When Nissan VP of product planning, Patrick Pelata, joined Nissan a few years back he stated one of his targets was to improve the tactile interior quality of all their vehicles. While corporate insiders admit they've had some stumbles recently, the new FX certainly seems to give hope that the situation is quickly improving. Inside the FX, there are real aluminum materials used in the lower center console and shifter area. The dash and door plastics are soft-touch with soft padding in all elbow areas and the A and B pillars are covered with a high quality fabric just like the Infiniti vehicles of yore. And check out the drilled aluminum floor pedals! Our favorite interior is the "Brick/Black" combo with a duo-tone dash, plus the soft but thick orange/brown ("Brick") colored leather seats that also possess that moto-Italiano vibe with a delicioso grain that will have you humming Tosca--mama Marinello!
One of the coolest features is the "intelligent key" fob which unlocks
the door when you touch the door handles, and then starts the engine without ever inserting the key into the ignition (as long as the fob is inside the car). All we can say is that it worked flawlessly. Just don't leave it inside the car (in which case the car will beep at you disapprovingly).
If you want to bring home that 42" plasma TV or go antique shopping, you'll be glad to know the rear seats fold flat down via remote levers mounted inside the side of the rear cargo area. They're not power actuated but work effectively. Another plus: the hatch is made out of a steel composite so it's easy to lift up. Overall there's around 60 cubic feet of space in the cargo area once the seats are folded. With the seats up, expect about 27 cubic feet of space.
Some interior nit-picking now: Let's see…we've already mentioned our disappointment with the monochrome LCD display in non-navigation models. Oh yes, we've said this before and will say yet again that the analog Infiniti dash clock looks neat but proves semi-useless. It's positioned so low in the center console that the driver's eyes have to refocus to glance at the time. Either they should get rid of it entirely or make sure during the design process it's at a proper eye-level. We also noticed tall drivers with long arms may find the center arm rest, while horizontally adjustable, is too vertically tall when trying to utilize the manual mode on the transmission shifter. There's a fair amount of rear seat space but we also noticed that rear passengers might have a tough time exiting the vehicle because of the short distance between the seats and the B-pillar body post. And our final complaint is again (!) the interior door handles aren't real metal but plastic with a metal-like coating. Mama-Kia! These door handles probably rank high up there as one of the most commonly touched surfaces so we'd love to see polished metal to replace the current faux and flimsy affairs.
Pricing
The V-8 powered FX45 will retail for $44,225 with a plethora of standard features including 20-inch tires/wheels, Xenon HID, power seats, 6-disc in-dash CD changer, dual climate controls, side-impact curtain airbags, leather seats, and driver's seat memory system. The base price undercuts BMW's X5 scaling in at $50,645 which still doesn't come standard with xenon HIDs, side impact airbags, and 20 inch tire/wheels. If you want the top-of the line Bose stereo, steering wheel auto controls, and HomeLink in the FX45, you'll
need to spring for another $2k to get the "Premium" package. We're surprised the FX45 doesn't come standard with this package but we suspect it allows Infiniti to slam competitor's prices on paper and we're guessing most FX45s will be equipped this way. Want the Nav system? You'll need to shovel a hefty $7k on top of the MSRP to enjoy use of the items in the Premium package along with the GPS navigation, intelligent key, laser guided cruise control, and rear passenger DVD mobile entertainment system, and that slick rear-view camera rig.
The FX35 rear wheel drive tips in the scales at $34,745.00. If you want the AWD model, you'll have to add another $1,500 to that.
Then thre's various add-on packages ranging from $2,600 for the "Premium Package" to
$9,400 for the "Technology Package" which includes navigation, intelligent key, intelligent cruise control, and rear DVD entertainment system, and the Bose stereo system.
We have to admit our jaws dropped when we saw the "Technology
Package" pricing but then realized it includes both the Sport
Package and Premium Package. Us? We'd rather spend a few dollars more
and get the FX45 base model
for the awesome V-8 engine rather than a loaded FX35; As we'd rather
listen to the sweet mechanical symphony of the VK engine over having a
cool stereo.
So will the FX be successful? We think yes; considering the base pricing is competitive, there's a choice of smooth and powerful engines, and given the plethora of standard/optional features. Plus it acts and drives like a proper rear-wheel drive sports sedan that can be mated to an all-wheel drive system for an extra degree of performance and safety. So if you can't buy both a weekend sportscar and a daily driver SUV, the FX is a great compromise without sacrificing either the performance or practicality of either.
Speak your mind: 