ShareThisIntroduced as a replacement for the QX4 six years ago, the Infiniti FX enters its second generation as a 2009 model.
The mid-size crossover is built for the luxury buyer who demands safety, security, comfort and the usual array of amenities, along with the latest thing in high-tech.
Available in rear-drive or all-wheel-drive, the FX comes with a choice of a 3.5-liter V6 good for 303 horses or a 390-horsepower, 5-liter V8.
Though it is built in Japan, the FX is not sold there. The second-generation was introduced at the 2008 Geneva Auto Show, with U.S. sales beginning in June.
So far, sales are holding up reasonably well in a distressed economy. While Infiniti sales were down more than 17 percent overall in January, FX sales soared 75 percent to 1,417 units. Sales of the smaller sibling, the EX crossover, were up nearly 13 percent.
Fuel economy appears to have diminished as a factor in purchases. The FX35 with the V6 engine covers 16 city and 23 highway miles per gallon of premium unleaded in the all-wheel-drive version.
The sales increase looks even more impressive when you consider that Infiniti, Nissan's luxury division, raised prices in September to cover raw materials costs.
The base price for the rear-drive FX35 rose to $42,150, while the all-wheel-drive version climbed to $43,600. The FX50's starting price was raised to $58,400.
In its original incarnation, the FX was designed to manifest "cool fusion," a blend of a hefty sport utility lower body with the sleek, elegant upper body more reminiscent of a classic sports car. The FX was also expected to demonstrate sports car performance, with aggressive takeoffs and deft handling. Unfortunately, this was the mandate for all of its competitors as well. They bore names like Porsche, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Lexus and Acura.
In terms of styling, Infiniti might win the beauty contest against. It also stands toe-to-toe with the tech leader, Mercedes-Benz. In terms of performance, it's a photo finish.
Based on the Infiniti G sedan's FM platform, the FX inherits the chassis of a performer.
In the second generation, Infiniti extended the wheelbase of the FX 1.4 inches, with the front wheels moved forward and out to create a stronger performance stance. The front end was tweaked, though it retains the double-arch front grille, fog lamps and High Intensity Discharge bi-xenon projector headlights.
The profile is strengthened by a new shoulder line, a tighter glass-to-steel ratio, a kicked-back roofline and an integrated rear spoiler. The large LED taillights extend beyond the body, while large dual exhaust tips advertise the car's potential.
Engineers reduced the coefficient of drag to 0.35 from 0.37, reducing wind resistance from the front bumper sides, rear spoiler angle and taillights. Through the use of lighter components, such as aluminum for the outer door panels, the FX body structure weighs nearly 200 pounds less than the previous generation's. That allowed the addition of more standard equipment, adding up to a comparable curb weight with the 2008 model.
FX also wears Infiniti's advanced Scratch Shield paint, a special "self-healing" clearcoat paint that repairs fine scratches, such as fingernail scratches under door handles. Using sunlight to heat the clearcoat, the small scratches gradually fill in. Scratch Shield paint is standard for all available exterior colors.
Both the FX35 and FX50 sends torque through a seven-speed automatic transmission featuring Adaptive Shift Control and optional solid magnesium paddle shifters. The Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system got a workout in a recent ice storm. The system can be set for "snow" mode. When I hit icy patches, there was a little bit of squirm from the back tires, but the vehicle quickly straightened back up.
The road trip also tested the windshield wipers that fought the muddy backwash from semi-rigs on the recently sanded highway. Rides like this also prove the value of satellite radio.
The FX rides on an independent suspension with aluminum components, providing excellent control through speed-sensitive power steering and power disc brakes with anti-lock, electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist. It is really hard to lose control of this car.
The FX also proved the value of some of its technology features, particularly adaptive cruise control and lane departure warning. Adaptive cruise control, allows you to set the cruise speed without worrying about times when the car in front slows down below the setting. The cruise control automatically adapts to the speed and maintains the proper distance through radar signals.
Lane departure warning actually reads the lanes and beeps when you are venturing out of your lane. The warning does not sound if you use the turn signal, indicating that you intend to change lanes.
Infiniti has also developed lane departure prevention that will tap the appropriate brake pads to keep you in your intended lane.
Another marvel is the parking assist system, which not only shows what is behind you but what is all around the car. Using cameras around the car, the system extrapolates what the view from above the car would look like and displays that on the video screen. Called the "Around View Monitor," it's included in the Navigation Package.
(E-mail Richard Williamson at motorfriend(at)sbcglobal.net)
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