Infiniti FX test drive since 2008 SUV

Fast fx

Now it doesn’t matter that the Infiniti brand was conceived specifically for America, the main thing is that it quickly took root in Russia. Moreover, he took root immediately, almost since the appearance of the first generation of the FX model behind the ocean in 2003 long before the start of official supplies, and thanks to the efforts of gray dealers. Nissan should be grateful to him, because he saved a lot on the promotion: by 2006, when the company brought the brand to the Russian market, FX already knew no worse than the BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML and Lexus RX with which it competed. As it turned out that it is good for America, it is perfect for us. So it is not at all surprising that the model of journalists were invited not for the ocean, but to mineral waters, to the presentation of the second generation.
A la compartment
They are met, as you know, on the clothes of Infiniti FX were accepted immediately and, probably, for a long time. His exterior is extraordinary, he can be treated differently, but he captivated people on both sides of the Atlantic. In this composite profile there is something damn attractive and damn promising.
The appearance of FX is the evolution of two bright concepts presented in the North American international car dealerships in Detroit in 2001 and 2002. In 2001, the Infiniti FX45 concept included innovative solutions such as personification of the driver and passengers, an entertainment system with a DVD player for the rear row passengers. But the main thing is the unusual style of the body with a sharply mowed rear part and the highlighted arches of the wheels of an increased size, a wave -shaped hood with a large radiator grille and very original headlights. They then called him a bioic cheetah is strange, but we could catch that we are talking about a quick, maneuverable, capable of easily changing direction, and at the same time perfectly organized car.
After the FX45 Concept prototype was enthusiastically adopted by the public, in Detroit-2002 they showed an improved version, again under the name FX45 Concept. The second version of the SUV was distinguished by a long wheeled base, a wide track, 21-inch wheels, LED rear lights and a unique roof design. The style was still radical for that time, but became more practical. He retained the aggressive appearance of the front, a high waist line, widely arranged wheels of the first concept of FX45 in combination with a new modern, technological and, at the same time, luxurious interior. The reaction of the public again turned out to be warm, and at the International Motor Show in New York in the same 2002 it was announced that the FX45 was going on a series as a 2003 Infiniti model.
Now imagine what press liability has affected the creators of the second generation of the model. It was necessary to prove that the appearance of the first FX is not accidental, but was the fruit of thoughtful work, including marketers who realized in time that it was the sports crossover that would be most in demand. Therefore, when I saw the first photos of the second generation FX, I personally was upset. The same feeling arose in Moscow when, within the framework of the international car dealership, he managed to get acquainted with the car with their own eyes. Well, I did not like these strange, as if the front headlights cut from below and a huge air intake, which, against the background of wide and massive wings and a slightly crushed hood resembled a wiped mouth. But, nevertheless, I really wanted to try the car on the go, since the first generation of the model left an indelible impression.
What is amazing: it was worth the exterior not in the sofits of the exhibition center, but in the usual parking lot near the dealership in the Ministry of Walls, and the opinion about the work of designers began to change. This mouth no longer scares and is quite correlated with the dimensions, the weighted lower part of the body combines well with a long hood, an enlarged wheelbase, short front and rear overhangs, as well as with elegant roof lines, which are more characteristic of sports cars with a body compartment. Moreover, in the new FX, the front wheels are shifted 35 mm forward, and diffusers appeared behind them. By the way, they not only give the car a more sporting look, but also provide air removal from the motor compartment and the side parts of the car, reducing the lifting force of the front of the body by 5%, and improving stability when driving at high speed. In addition, the track of the front wheels is expanded by 43 mm. In addition, the aggressive silhouette of FX is effectively emphasized by a clear side line, chrome decoration of the salon windows, integrated rear spoiler and aluminum rails. And here the feed of the new FX is more likely to develop the theme, begun in the previous generation of the model. It is deliberately concise, and the company emphasizes that only LED rear lights and double graduation pipes with chrome lining protrude an additional clamping force beyond the body.
It will be useful to say that the FX is built on the FM Front Mid-SHIP (anterior-mediumist layout), already used for the Infiniti G35 and M sedans, as well as the G37 Coupe. It is this platform that provides almost the perfect weight weight on the axes of 53/47 for FX35, and 54/46 for FX50. In addition, engineers have seriously worked on increasing the hardness of the body and a decrease in its weight. I will not go into technical details, but I will only say that, compared with the previous version of FX, a new body is 1.6 times more stable to twisting, and 3.4 times more stable to the bend. Nakonets, one cannot but say about a unique paint coating with a special a self -healing transparent layer that retains a glossy shine. This is a kind of cure for light scratches, which are delayed as if by themselves. The coating is used for all body colors. The recovery process takes from one day to one week (depending on the temperature of the air and the depth of scratches) thanks to a special elastic polymer, which is used in combination with conventional varnish to increase plasticity and resistance of the coating. Saying this, I still strongly recommend that you experiment with a nail: deep scratches, which affected the paint directly, will not disappear.
Convenient at first glance
Exactly so: you have not yet opened the door, but already imagine what awaits you in the cabin. And all because the FX has a system of 12-point consistent lighting of WelCome Lighting, which includes all new lighting elements as the owner approaches. First, the light appears under the rear view mirrors, then several light bulbs light up inside the cabin (the legs space are lit, the rear lamps of individual lighting, the armrest light, and so on) are turned on. And immediately after landing in the car, the Start engine start button begins to pulsate, as if impatiently. Funny and pleasant.
The interior as a whole carries at the same time two prints of sports spirit and luxury. Which in no case contradict each other. Genuine leather, wood, aluminum. No complaints about assembly quality. The seat is equipped with heated, ventilation and a complete set of electrical adjustments that can move your body in eight planes. The degree of lateral support can also be changed.
Further, the gaze lies on a new instrument shield with a white-purple backlight Fine Vision. It is rather concise two circles of tachometers and speedometer and small signs of fuel level in the tank and the temperature of the power unit. In the center is a small monitor to which data is displayed from the on -board computer. It is pleasant that the compact three -spoke steering wheel is adjustable both in height and by departure of the devices does not overlap. And this despite the fact that the shield is now fixed tightly, and does not ride with the steering wheel, as it was before. In a word, you can take a convenient position without difficulty, although, to be honest, I personally did not have enough adjustment in height too close to the knees was the steering wheel.
The central console of the new FX is almost an accurate copy of what I saw in sedans M and G, as well as in the G37 compartment. In its upper part, a 7-inch color monitor, a kind of informational and entertainment center. It is controlled by the sensory screen, central joystick and a large number of keys. What for? I can't answer. Under the monitor, the traditional analog watches of Inifniti and the Musical Center Management unit. Already in the standard configuration of the FX is equipped with an audio system BOSE, which includes built-in chainer on 6 CDs, an amplifier with a capacity of 329 watts, a converter and 11 speakers. As a result, the sound in the cabin is excellent. Yes, there is also a rear view camera of RearView, there is a Russified infiniti navigation system (option), and there is Bluetooth. For an additional fee, you can also install an informational and entertainment system with a 9.0-inch wide folding screen in the ceiling for the rear passengers, a DVD player in the front central console, as well as two sets of wireless headphones and remote controls.
The rear passengers will also not feel deprived of the comfort of their legs. To accommodate small things, there are pockets in the front doors and on the back surface of the seats, for drinks double cup holders in front and back, for glasses a special holder. And the trunk is not small: its volume is 376 liters, and the rear seats are added in a ratio of 60/40.
Before moving on to the running qualities of the new FX, I can not ignore another system. We are talking about air filtration, removal or neutralization of pollutants. Plasma Cluster ionizer generates positively and negatively charged ions. The air conditioning system has two modes. In Clean Mode mode, it gives out ions that can join the particles balanced in the air (for example, to the bacteria of mold, fungus, dispute, etc.), which makes them settle on internal surfaces. In Ion Mode mode, the system produces a high concentration of negative ions to create fresh invigorating air similar to that formed after a thunderstorm or next to the waterfall. In addition, the new FX has a unique filter of fiber, impregnated with polyphenol of grape seeds, capable of neutralize allergens with floral pollen, suspended dust, even the viruses in the air. Plus continuous control of the quality of air entering the salon. If a high level of pollutant particles from the street or smog is detected, for example, when the car is stuck in a traffic jam and there is a bus or a large truck in front of it, the system automatically goes into recirculation mode. With a decrease in the volume of pollutants, it returns to the program fresh air.
However, quite descriptions. I click on the Start button, the arrows of the devices are sharply moved from the rest of the rest to their maximum position, after which they return to the working position, and go!
Explosive in nature
Infiniti FX is supplied in two versions of FX50 and FX35. The numbers, of course, indicate the volume of the engine. The 5.0-liter V8 engine is the latest development, while the 3.5 liter V6 engine is already familiar with the Infiniti G35 sedan. It was with the most powerful version that my acquaintance with the crossover began.
The 8-cylinder FX50 gasoline engine can rightfully claim the title of one of the most advanced. 400 hp At 6500 rpm and 500 nm of the maximum torque, directed to all four wheels through a new 7-speed automatic transmission, I will tell you, the reader, the potential is not for the faint of heart. The car at the moment is able to show an animal character. From only the sound of the engine and a specially -minded exhaust system, a fair amount of adrenaline is injected into the blood. And I would recommend a good thought before drowning the accelerator pedal on the floor. After such an exercise, you will be imprinted in a chair, as in a real sports car, and you will overcome a mark of 100 km/h in less than six seconds. I will say more, in this model everything is subordinated to speed. In any gear under the right foot there is a huge supply of traction. Moreover, the automatic transmission does not suffer from thoughtfulness, very sensitively reacting to the actions of the driver. It can be converted into a sports regime, or in general, it is generally independent of transmission using the lever itself or offered as an option of petals on a steering column made of magnesium alloy. In addition, the car instantly reacts to the turns of the lamb quite acute, which makes from the edge to the edge of less than three revolutions. Fortunately, with the brakes of FX50 everything is in perfect order. The pedal force is dosed clearly, and there can be no complaints about the power of calipers. Moreover, in the case of the new FX, special attention was paid to the brakes, since in the previous generation of the model during active driving they overheated and did not provide effective slowdown. Now I did not celebrate this, although I did not deny myself in driver pleasures.
The branded system of all -wheel drive also left a pleasant impression, since it is also configured for active driving. The ATTESA E-TS system is called. Under normal conditions, the engine power is transmitted to the rear wheels. With a sharp acceleration, the system directs torque to all four wheels, helping the car start. If, after a speed set, the sensors detect the lack of need for all -wheel drive, then up to 100% of the power comes back again. But it is worth a slip or drift, and again, half the moment will instantly be transferred forward. Electronics can quickly redistribute the moment on wheels that have maximum clutch with the road. But the most pleasant thing is that its behavior is perfectly predicted, the system does not frighten a sharp change in habits.
I managed to verify this on a rather long gravel section, when, having turned off the VDC stabilization system (in the standard), I decided to experiment. The sensations are the most pleasant. You add the gas in the bend, and the food smoothly begins to go into the skid. He slightly back, adjusted the trajectory by the steering wheel stabilized the body. Wanted to go sideways? No problems! Neat and clear work by the accelerator and a steering wheel at the entrance, and the FX obediently goes into sliding, which is not difficult to control the same gas and the steering wheel. In a word, the model is clearly endowed with sports control, which will surely appeal to lovers of active drive. At the same time, it is important that the suspensions are configured accordingly. There are simply no cranes of the body on turns, although it is pretty shaking on irregularities. The colleagues located behind, when I decided to go very quickly in one of the sites, admitted that they were scary. On some bumps, the rear wheels almost broke away from the ground, and the body rode like a hardly pumped ball along the asphalt. I, while driving, did not lose control of the car for a second. And only once a fear arose when the speedometer arrow passed the mark of 190 km/h, and it suddenly became empty on the steering wheel. Apparently, the designers failed to finally cope with the lifting forces on the front axis. However, the car still clearly rode in a straight line, and how many of the future owners will begin to drive so recklessly? As there were no special disappointments that it was not possible to check the off -road qualities of the model. It seems that very few will use FX as a rogue, and until a suburban residence a machine with a clearance of 185 mm will reach without problems.
The most glorious thing that FX35 left no less pleasant impressions. In terms of dynamics, it is the same as the previous generation FX45, but fuel consumption is much less. In all other parameters, it is practically no different from the 50th, with a slight correction to a lower power slightly slower than the reaction to the accelerator, a little more thoughtful automatic transmission, and a little softer to the suspension, mainly due to the tires of the smaller diameter. But all the same sports habits, a rather sharp steering wheel and excellent handling.
In conclusion, I note another innovation, which many will probably like. We are talking about a new system for parking, which uses small ultra -hot -round chambers installed in front, back and on the sides of the car to ensure a circular review, which allows us to eliminate the dead areas in parking. In this system, which first appeared on Infiniti EX, an advanced digital image processing technology is used to obtain a unique type of car from a bird's eye view. Moreover, this does not mean at all that there are no familiar acoustic sensors.
It remains for me to say about the prices that begin at 1,952,600 rubles on the Infiniti FX35, and from 2,328,700 on FX50. Given the rich package, we can safely say that the model will compete with its main rivals.
Andrey Osipov
Mineral waters Moscow
Photo Infiniti
 

A source: Magazine Automobile Izvestia [December 2008]