dynamic looking car in the class and inspired in all the right places - chiefly performance. As the best-selling model in Infiniti's European range, it is also the car that has introduced the luxury automotive brand from Japan to more people in Europe than any other. It is the Infiniti FX, the perfect fusion of sports car and SUV and the car that created a whole new product category. In just four years the FX has become not just the brand icon in Europe but also the standard-bearer for the driving pleasure, peace of mind and hospitality on which Infiniti is founded.
Now it is time for the Infiniti FX to look to the future - starting here with the 2012 range. An array of finely-judged enhancements combines with recent FX developments such as its five-star EuroNCAP crash test result and available extra features ¬- including power tailgate and award-winning Lane Departure Prevention - to make the most complete, polished and appealing FX yet.
The new FX is most changed at the front, inheriting the same face as the upcoming Infiniti FX Vettel Version, which itself picks up on design cues explored by Infiniti's highly influential 2009 concept car, Essence. The new grille and revised bumper profile, together with new foglights set in chrome surrounds, define a look that is more FX than ever, reinforcing the FX's position as the most athletic-looking large crossover on the road. Inside, there are small but important changes that similarly reinforce the essential FX DNA.
FX in Europe - the story so far
The all-new FX, latest generation of a model previously sold chiefly in the USA, made its European debut at the Geneva show in 2008, forming a key part of the brand's European launch later that year. Acclaimed for rewriting the large crossover design rulebook, it quickly became synonymous with everything the new luxury brand from Japan stands for, putting Infiniti's fresh thinking on performance, design and customer service firmly on the European map.
The Infiniti FX became a hit with buyers in all corners of the continent, establishing itself as the best-selling Infiniti. The FX established something else too: by selling mostly in top S Premium grade, it began a trend for high-spec models that has characterised all Infiniti sales in Europe since then. Today, eight out of 10 FXs in Europe are fitted with Intelligent Cruise Control and Around View Monitor while virtually all (98%) are equipped with the acclaimed Connectiviti+ navigation and entertainment system.
The FX37 and FX50 were joined in 2010 by an FX powered by an all-new 3.0-litre V6 diesel engine, precursor of a diesel-engined family of Infinitis for Europe. Just as much a high performance machine as any petrol-powered Infiniti, the FX30d's massive 550Nm of torque immediately put it in the front rank of diesel-engined crossovers.
Reflecting the brand's uniquely different take on the luxury car market, Infiniti owners are all individuals, successful free-thinkers who are neither hidebound by the past nor concepts of badge snobbery. They are young by class standards (average age is 48), invariably own a business and more than 90% of them have traded up from other premium brands, most commonly BMW (followed by Audi, Mercedes and Porsche). More than 70% of FX customers already owned an SUV. Owners place design as the number one FX strength, closely followed by standard equipment, technology, acceleration, quality and interior style. Infiniti FX owners love their cars, as shown by a 93% satisfaction rating - far higher than the average for the class.
The 2012 Infiniti FX goes on sale in Europe at a time when the FX's market performance is stronger than ever, with sales up 31% in 2011 over the previous year. Germany is the FX's largest market, the top six completed by the UK, Italy, Spain, France and Belgium. Pan-European engine mix of the 2012 FX range is expected to be 90% diesel, 4% V8 petrol and 6% V6 petrol.
Drivetrains: V9X - Infiniti's first diesel engine
The Infiniti FX's newest, lowest CO2 engine is also its torquiest, with more pull even than the 5.0-litre petrol V8. The resultant outstanding overtaking ability goes hand-in-hand in the 2012 FX30d with signature Infiniti refinement and fuel efficiency that offers the potential of an 1100km touring range thanks to an extra-urban fuel consumption of 7.8 l/100km.
Developed by the Alliance but very much a bespoke Infiniti powerplant, the V9X is a common-rail 3.0-litre V6 with piezo injection and 1800 bar fuel pressure. Its engine block is made of compacted graphite iron (CGI) to save weight -something at which the FX is already notably better than many rivals - while delivering the strength and refinement essential for an Infiniti. CGI is up to 75% stiffer than iron but, in the case of the FX30d's engine block, weighs 22% less. A 65 degree vee angle, with the turbo mounted within the vee, ensures maximum packaging efficiency.
Smooth and free revving, this high performance engine is virtually inaudible from inside at idle and under constant load, while what noise it emits under acceleration has been specially honed for maximum sporting appeal.
A variable nozzle turbocharger boosts power to a peak of 175kW (238PS) at 3750rpm, making it among the most powerful single-turbo diesel units available. The V6's torque output of 550Nm, which peaks at just 1750rpm, guarantees effortless acceleration when it is most needed.
Paired to the standard Adaptive Shift Control (ASC) 7-speed automatic transmission, performance is impressive: top speed is 212km/h and 0-100km/h takes just 8.3 seconds. The combined cycle fuel consumption figure is 9.0 l/100km and CO2 is 238g/km.
Drivetrains: 5.0-litre V8 - power with efficiency
Infiniti's flagship engine ensures the FX50 is one of the fastest and most rewarding crossovers on the road, with a breathtaking turn of speed and the muscular exhaust note to back it up. Featuring twin symmetrical air intakes, microfinished crankshaft, lightweight pistons, super-silent cam drive chains and VVEL valve timing - Infiniti's guarantee of high power but also maximum efficiency - the V8 is an engineering masterclass.
The engine delivers 287kW (390PS) at 6500rpm, with a red-line 300rpm higher - relatively high for a V8 thanks to VVEL. The V8's torque peaks at 500Nm at 4400rpm, a flat curve below that ensuring pulling power is never in short supply.
The FX50 S Premium delivers stunning acceleration with 0-100km/h coming up in just 5.8 seconds, while the efficiency benefits of the VVEL system are shown by its fuel consumption of 13.1 l/100km (combined cycle) and CO2 emissions of 307g/km.
Drivetrains: 3.7-litre V6 - legendary sporting appeal
The FX37 in both GT and S guises is powered by Infiniti's illustrious 3.7-litre V6. Regularly honoured in independent awards the world over, the twin-cam 24-valve engine produces 235kW (320PS) at 7000rpm with 360Nm of torque at 5200rpm. This all-alloy sporting engine endows the FX with performance to shame many a sports car: 0-100 km
/h takes just 6.8 seconds while the top speed is 233km/h.
The FX37's fuel economy combined cycle is 12.1 l/100km while the CO2 figure is 282g/km. The balance between performance and economy is born of an engineered-in efficiency whose headline attribute is Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) which also features on the V8. This patented technology continuously adjusts the valves, unleashing not just great power but doing so with higher torque and improved emissions over conventional variable valve engines
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