Japan's "big three" has been trying to shake off the shackles of total economy for years. Toyota has succeeded perhaps more than anyone, while Nissan with its luxury brand Infiniti is chasing after with huge strides. The FX crossover is the main bearer of Nissan's premium values, and it has no "twin" under the Nissan brand.
The first generation FX brought profits to dozens of "gray" dealers for three years after its premiere, and only in 2006 did the model officially arrive in Russia. The new one immediately starts a "white" life, which is especially relevant now: it seems that the times of amateur car dealers are rapidly coming to an end, and according to rumors, unofficial imports may soon be equated with illegal ones. The large SUV became the last piece of the puzzle in the Infiniti lineup — now the entire model range is maintained in a single style.
When I first saw the "FX" at the Geneva Motor Show, I was puzzled, and under the native sky it grew into persistent disappointment: many can do beautiful things, but, alas, not everyone has enough taste. The mega-hit of "gray" sales has been replaced by something accompanied by the remark: "Well, you understand, this car is mainly for the American market." But why did no one remember this before, because the predecessor was affected by this to a much greater extent?!
The wavy faux radiator grille is not repulsive in itself, but it is only part of a set of elements seemingly assembled in a hurry. Headlights of random shape resemble eyes with eyeliner and bags under them, there is no vigor in them. Even huge wheels with 265/45 R21 tires no longer save the silhouette that has grown fat. The body proportions have hardly changed, as have the dimensions. A couple of strokes have deprived the FX of its former sporting prowess that charmed several years ago.
The diffuser under the shiny "tuning" trim on the fender is not just a decoration: it reduces the drag coefficient by 5%. But the alien patches on the front fenders look fantastically absurd. Chrome with slots, by design, should emphasize sportiness, but in reality it finally defines the Infiniti FX style — kitsch. However, such a design can be considered corporate identity.
Outside, the FX and EX cannot be confused due to the difference in dimensions, but inside, only a specialist can distinguish the big car. The central console and instruments seem to have moved from the younger model unchanged, the layout is similar. It seems that it is even more cramped here! The slot for the keyless key, as on the younger EX, is inconveniently hidden near my left knee.
To the touch, the materials are not bad: soft leather, soft plastic, comfortable. But you look around — and you are amazed: the FX does not look expensive and high-quality. This is typical of Japanese cars. The trim of plump-rounded shapes with quality leather and wood coexists with simple buttons. The plastic clock seems to be pressed into the panel from the shine of the sapphire on my wrist.
The cockpit could be more spacious. Moreover, the crampedness interferes: a driver of hypersthenic build simply slips out of the flat seats during significant lateral acceleration. The nine-button joystick of the multimedia and navigation systems, towering among a scattering of keys, is frightening.
Referring to the tastes of the American audience is pointless here. The reason for this simplicity is not economy, but a systemic difference in the approaches of European and Japanese manufacturers to creating a comfortable environment, to working with materials and textures.
But let's not forget: the interior of that "gray" FX, which we fell in love with, was made of such cheap plastic that it would be unpleasant to scratch swear words on it. Even the refined interior of the "white" cars of the first generation was a leap forward, and the new FX compared to the very first one is simply space. But we valued the Infiniti crossover not for its interior, but for its car-like manners.
Increased brake mechanisms, especially relevant for the more powerful FX50 version, should remove the problems familiar to owners of the first generation FX45. Consecutive intensive braking from speeds "well over a hundred" did not reveal significant problems, although, as they say, "the residue remained." I didn't want to torture the discs and pads.
Four hundred horsepower of the five-liter FX50 modification is more than enough! The acceleration is impressive: there is both sharpness and impulse. More than a dozen acousticians clearly worked on the exhaust tone, although the engine roar is too correct, even boring. But the main thing is that the heavier car now lacks clarity and unambiguity of reactions, and in a tense turn, especially a slippery one, the front end is pulled outward despite all the efforts of the stability control system.
But the crossover has significantly gained in ride comfort, although it remains quite sensitive to the quality of the road surface. Speed bumps — only at a crawl, otherwise even seat belts won't hold rear passengers. However, the more speed, the fewer potholes. At speed, the Infiniti FX is neat: it holds the road, bouncing only on ruts or on bumpy asphalt in a turn. Overall, the car does not protest against Russian roads.
The difference in ride smoothness compared to the previous generation car is significant, especially on low-profile wheels. By the way, dealers still don't have winter tires — only wheels assembled for 70 thousand rubles!
The younger FX35 version with a light 307-horsepower "six" 3.5 lags behind the five-liter by almost a hundred "horses." At the same time, the engine feels more alive, in manual mode it revs up to the limiter — well over seven thousand rpm! Better weight distribution significantly changes the character of the crossover: the FX35 is much more understandable and exciting, stiffer and more precise than the "fifty."
For a sophisticated driver, this is the optimal configuration of the new model. True, advanced systems like the all-wheel steering chassis (RAS) and adjustable CDC shock absorbers will only be found on the top FX50 Sport version, which will appear in Russia closer to the New Year. The "thirty-fifth" also lacks paddle shifters for more convenient manual gearbox control.
The "white" FX is no longer that relevant crossover. Contraband goods, which, like jeans in the USSR, had to be chased and eventually bought second-hand. The official FX has been brought to European condition: the body has been reinforced, the cooling of the engine and main gear has been improved. For "gray" cars from America, this is an unaffordable luxury today.
The fundamental difference of the "FX" is not in design, and certainly not in technology. But in the fact that it is available on first demand from an official dealer, like any other. And on the move, this advanced device has also become a bit like everyone else. More imposing, more comfortable, more caloric.
The parking assistance system makes your mouth open: four cameras create a circular view on the touchscreen, and, as if looking at the car from above, probably anyone can park. The air conditioning system with a filter using mysterious "grape polyphenols" hopelessly loses to the exhaust of a Soviet "GAZon" — the stench inevitably penetrates inside. Individual lighting turns on by pressing the lamp — a dull person like me will look into the manual. Ergonomics leaves mixed feelings: the main controls and small things are in their places: steering wheel, levers, buttons... The instruments are clear and understandable, and the buttons on the steering wheel require thought and adaptation.
This does not diminish the model's main trump card — the price. Infiniti was and remains cheaper and more powerful than any classmate. Even a Touareg with similar equipment is more expensive, not to mention the BMW X5 and other competitors. And the version with eight cylinders is completely out of competition. So this crossover still remains a profitable purchase, and in addition — completely legal.
**Specifications**
| Characteristics | Infiniti FX50 Premium |
|---|---|
| **Body** | |
| Number of doors/seats | 4/5 |
| Length, mm | 4865 |
| Width, mm | 1925 |
| Height, mm | 1650 |
| Wheelbase, mm | 2885 |
| Track front/rear, mm | 1635/1640 |
| Curb weight, kg | 2072–2098 |
| Gross weight, kg | 2470 |
| Trunk volume, l | 376 |
| **Engine** | |
| Type | gasoline, with distributed injection |
| Location | front, longitudinal |
| Number and arrangement of cylinders | 8, V-shaped |
| Number of valves | 32 |
| Displacement, cm³ | 5026 |
| Max power, hp/rpm | 400 at 6500 |
| Max torque, Nm/rpm | 500 at 4400 |
| **Transmission** | |
| Gearbox | automatic, 7-speed |
| Drive | all-wheel drive |
| **Chassis** | |
| Front suspension | independent, double wishbone, with anti-roll bar |
| Rear suspension | independent, multi-link, with anti-roll bar |
| Front brakes | disc, ventilated |
| Rear brakes | disc, ventilated |
| Ground clearance, mm | 184 |
| **Performance characteristics** | |
| Maximum speed, km/h | 250 |
| Acceleration time 0–100 km/h, s | 5.8 |
| Fuel consumption, l/100 km | |
| — urban cycle | 18.3 |
| — suburban cycle | 9.6 |
| — combined cycle | 12.8 |
| Toxicity standard | Euro-4 |
| Fuel tank capacity, l | 90 |
| Fuel | AI-95 |
**Infiniti FX50 Premium trim**
**Basic equipment**
- Front airbags
- Side airbags and inflatable "curtains"
- Knee airbags
- Stability control system
- Dynamic stabilization system
- Tire pressure monitoring system
- Central locking with remote control
- Light and rain sensor
- Power steering
- Bi-xenon adaptive headlights
- Dual-zone climate control
- Around View Monitor system
- Rear view camera
- Front seats with electric drive, heating and ventilation
- Heated and electrically folding side mirrors
- Bose audio system with 11 speakers with MP3 and WMA support
- Multimedia center with folding 9-inch screen in the ceiling and wireless headphones
- Leather interior trim
- Natural wood interior trim
- Alloy wheels R21
- Leather steering wheel and gear lever trim
- Multifunctional steering wheel
- Spare wheel-dokatka
**Additional equipment**
**Premium + NAVI**
- Navigation system with 8-inch touchscreen display
- "Metallic" paint
- Integrated Bluetooth protocol
- Adaptive cruise control
**Sport + NAVI**
- Sport front seats with eight-way adjustment
- Active rear wheel steering system
- Magnesium alloy paddle shifters
- Suspension with variable stiffness
**Price of the basic configuration — 2,328,700 rubles**
**Technical**
The FX is based on the previous FM platform (front midship), where the power unit is placed longitudinally and shifted to the center of the base. The layout is familiar from the younger EX, the G35/G37 models, and the M sedan. The lineage of this platform goes back to the cult Nissan Skyline, where it was used back in the late eighties.
Nissan engineers associate the increased comfort with changes in the front suspension. The "racing" double-wishbone scheme has returned here — it came back to the FM platform, displacing McPherson — and modern electronically controlled shock absorbers are installed along with it. The rear design has not changed, so second-row passengers still get shaking and jolting on uneven surfaces.
The powertrains have become noticeably more powerful — the increase ranged from 30 to 70 horsepower. The potential of the engines is realized with the help of a responsive seven-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, in which it obediently holds the selected gear without skipping up or down. The V6 is offered in a simplified American version producing 307 hp. In a couple of years, a European version with 320 "horses" will appear, with a variable valve timing system and valve lift adjustment, like the current V8, which is the same in all markets.
**Behind the scenes**
The surroundings of Pyatigorsk, Kislovodsk and Yessentuki, where Infiniti opened another showroom and invited us to test the new model, is a truly heavenly place. Mountains, rivers, sky — a feast for the eyes. Men here are dzhigits, girls are modest, and narzan literally flows from the tap. I would stay here for a long time, take a walk, look around, but hotel prices are as biting as on the Côte d'Azur, and we were given a car for the trip for only a couple of hours.
