Infiniti FX45 Concept Stakes Out New
Territory In Crossover Class By Combining Sports Car Performance, SUV Utility
and Infiniti Style
Concept vehicles, according to Shiro Nakamura,
Senior Vice President, Design, Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., are accelerators of
change. “Vehicles like our new Infiniti FX45 Concept are important platforms on
which to launch new ideas,” said Nakamura. “Though not everything on a concept
reaches the showroom floor, they are indicators of a company’s direction,
thinking and spirit. In the case of the FX45 Concept, our direction, thinking
and spirit are definitely headed toward performance.”
The second generation FX45 Concept, which makes its world debut at the 2002
North American International Auto Show in Detroit, follows by one year the
appearance of a similarly named and themed FX45 Concept – both described by
Nakamura as “Bionic Cheetahs” for their combined emphasis on sports car
performance with SUV utility. The second generation FX45 Concept has been
completely redesigned inside and out but remains an aggressive, V8-powered,
all-wheel drive sports luxury design.
“We tested the waters last year to great consumer response and have come back
with a new interpretation which is much closer to the actual production
model,” said Nakamura. “The fusion of sports car and SUV remains at its core,
but we’ve added breakthrough exterior and interior styling to its superior
drivetrain and advanced technology.”
A production version of the FX45 Concept has been announced as a future addition
to the Infiniti lineup and will go on sale in early 2003.
“The new FX45 Concept represents the shape of things to come for our
production crossover SUV,” said Mark McNabb, vice president and general
manager, Infiniti Division. “It also represents our intention to stand out
from the pack of less exciting, less confident vehicles currently in the
market.”
Breakthrough Styling, Advanced Technology
The FX45 Concept takes full advantage of its 112.2-inch long wheelbase, wide
stance and 21-inch wheels and tires to create a strong presence, whether in
motion or at rest. Rather than adopt a “blended” minivan/wagon/sedan approach,
its designers sought an aggressive image – strong, fast and agile – so that the
FX45 Concept looks the way it drives. The exterior suggests sports car shapes,
but with modern packaging and architecture. The cabin is moved rearward, set
back like a sports car, with long doors and the tires pushed out to the corners.
A large, Infiniti-style grille and narrow horizontal headlights reinforce the
classic sports car effect.
“There’s an elegance and grace to the design, like a cheetah’s fast, beautiful
body,” said Nakamura. “It’s meant to feel completely different from current
vehicles in the category.”
The FX45 Concept exterior also imparts a sense of “active” safety and security
through its broad fenders and beltline, high seating position and large, LED
taillights. As a pure Infiniti, luxury has not been overlooked either, with
special “Liquid Mercury” paint and polished Aluminum-alloy wheels.
“We see future buyers cross-shopping the FX45 not only against other crossover
SUVs but a variety of performance vehicles, so its driving credentials must
come through at first glance,” said McNabb. “At the same time, the body offers
much more room and utility than traditional sports cars, making the FX45 an
everyday, all-weather alternative to the less flexible enthusiast machines.”
Inside, the FX45 Concept’s highly personalized four-passenger interior offers a
rich blend of handcrafted Brick-colored leather and polished aluminum accents.
Each of the four individual power-operated seats has been designed for the
person who will be using it – a driver’s area that allows concentration on
driving, a front passenger seat that indulges the occupant with individual
heating and cooling controls, intuitive storage and soft lighting, and a
state-of-the-art entertainment area with an overhead DVD display and game system
for rear seat passengers. The instrument panel offers a special “floating”
instrument cluster with a large 9.5-inch LCD monitor.
“The FX45 Concept’s advanced technology features are designed to help the
driver stay connected to the outside world and increase productivity without
distracting from the primary task at hand – driving enjoyment,” said McNabb.
Dynamic Performance From A 4.5-Liter V8
The FX45 Concept’s 4.5-liter V8 engine is based on the class-leading 2002
Infiniti Q45 powerplant and is planned to produce in excess of 300 horsepower
and 300 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission
with manual shift mode. The FX45 also features all-wheel drive with electronic
torque demand, a 4-wheel independent suspension with multi-link rear design and
4-wheel vented disc brakes with ABS, Brake Assist and Electronic Brake force
Distribution.
“The FX45 Concept’s suspension and drivetrain are designed to provide secure,
comfortable on-road handling and all-weather driving performance, giving the
driver a sense of athleticism and confidence not unlike an all-wheel drive
sports car,” said McNabb. “This new FX45 Concept reflects the personality of
the target owners – confident, successful, competitive.”
Details regarding the production Infiniti FX45 will be released at a later date.
