Infiniti FX

The Infiniti FX is an SUV of similar length to that of a BMW X5. It is a completely new model. It is on sale in Spain from € 58,500, costing the 320-hp V6 version, to 77.000 € for version 5.0 of displacement V8 and 390 hp power. It is relatively cheap if you look at the number of items of equipment that is available (price, form and equipment across the range FX). Initially, only outlets in Barcelona, Madrid and Valencia. (More information about the network and time on the blog Teleport).

Compared to other models with similar characteristics, a Porsche Cayenne S Tiptronic has a very similar price as a Mercedes-Benz ML 500 costs a lot more (comparative table). Equating the equipment as possible, the FX is more affordable than the other two.

The engine is attached on both versions to a gearbox seven-speed automatic, with the ability to select gears manually through paddles (magnesium) behind the wheel. The drive cam is harder than usual.

According to the available equipment, Infiniti offers two trim levels 'GT' and 'S'. The most powerful version is only available with the finish 'S' which is the most equipped.

Among the items of equipment are available in the FX access system and keyless start, adaptive lighting system with dual-xenon headlights and a Bose sound system made specifically for this model. The seats have more lateral supports regulations and pneumatic power to give more or less lateral support to the body or to suit different complexions. The seats also have ventilation and heating.

Some security features are active head restraints that have in the front seats and a control system Tire Pressure (with one sensor for each wheel).

The driving position is a very interesting "Automatic Driving Position System" or "ADPS (Automatic positioning system while driving). This system has the peculiarity that if you change the seat position while driving, it automatically changes the position of the steering wheel and outside mirrors, so the driver can keep the same viewpoint and its position on the wheel.

Another interesting element of equipment is a system of four cameras that are mounted on the front, side and rear of the body ( "Infiniti Around View Monitor '). These cameras record the images that are displayed on a dashboard screen that allow an overhead view of the car and its surroundings. This system serves to reduce blind spots during parking maneuvers and includes front and rear sensors proximity. This system divides the browser screen by inserting the reverse. On the left is the rear camera image on the right side and the image of the entire car with the surrounding terrain. I could try slowly with obstacles around the car, but at first seems useful, particularly in cities such as Madrid, to see the ground pins are not visible from the driver's seat.

It also has an active developer of speed laser. Like other similar systems, is able to maintain a certain distance from the vehicle that precedes us. (More information on this device in the driving impressions of the G37 Coupe) Another function of this system is that if it detects that a collision will occur, you can activate the brakes and a deceleration of up to about 5 m / s ² (0 , 5 g, the mean maximum deceleration that can give a road car is about 1.0 g).

FX platform is also has the Infiniti G. Standard has a system of four-wheel-drive connect automatically (which Infiniti calls "ATTESA E-TS ', Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split). Under normal traction is to the rear wheels, a clutch can attach the front to a greater or lesser extent until it united with the rear. This SUV has wheels designed to go by road, a 265/50 R20 V-finished versions "GT" and 265/45 R21 W available at the finish 'S'.

One peculiarity is that it has a steering system and four-wheel "RAS" stands for "Rear Active Steer. This system consists of a switchboard and an electric motor that changes the angle of rotation of the rear wheels depending on vehicle speed and steering wheel position. The rear wheels do not rotate in the opposite direction to the front at low speed. In the Infiniti, (unlike the Renault Laguna or the BMW 7 Series are also direction on the rear wheels) rear wheels when changing direction, they do it in the same direction as the front. Between 0 and 40 km / h the rear wheels do not change direction, between 40 and 80, work to move the car laterally corresponds mainly to the front wheels, but later also help. From 80 km / h. The car's lateral movement is mainly due to the rear wheels, as I had an engineer from Infiniti, more or less help from the front wheels depending on the circumstances. This address on the rear wheels is standard on the FX 50 S and is not available with other engines. Unlike the G37, the FX50's rear wheels to address not associated to a forward direction with variable steering ratio.

It also has a suspension system variable 'active Continuous Damping Control "or" CDC ", by special electronically controlled shock absorbers. These dampers change their hardness depending on road conditions. In addition, the driver can select two positions ( "Self" and "Sports") from a command that is in the dashboard.

I drove both versions of FX under a deluge, which made delicate driving with these wheels as wide (265 mm) by the puddles on the road. Still, we can see that the car has good touch, with an address that well informed of what happens and good poise of the suspensions. Under these conditions, hardly noticed the difference between the two engines. Both have enough power to move the car quickly. The sound difference between them (the two sound markedly in acceleration) is what most distinguishes them. During this test I noticed no difference between the two directions. Unlike what happened to me during the test of the saloon G 37 in the FX I have not noticed any difference. Not tried it on a motorway, which is where most noticeable posteriorly in lane changes. In winding road with many puddles and heavy rain, did not notice anything. In both cases I got the impression right direction with good touch.

Some elements of the bodywork are aluminum FX, such as door panels front and rear. These doors offer a vehicle weight reduction compared with a steel.

The FX has a drag coefficient of 0.35, is a normal data compared with other SUVs designed to operate mainly by road (a BMX X5 is 0.33 and a Porsche Cayenne 0.35).

It has a paint (called "Scratch Shield") capable of repairing minor scratches itself. A combination of resin and lacquer increases the flexibility of the painting when the paint is exposed to heat repairs fine scratches. According to Infiniti, a car painted with this paint can submit up to five times fewer scratches that a conventional lacquer, under the same conditions of exposure.

Infiniti joins the Spanish car market with this model and also with the Infiniti EX (an all-terrain less than the FX) and G (of which there are two body variants, sedan and coupe).