Click above image for a high-res gallery of the unveiling of the 2009 FX from Geneva
Last week we showed you a teaser shot of the headlight of the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX. Tonight in Geneva we saw the whole thing. Carlos Ghosn himself introduced the new FX at a club-like venue just down the road from the Palexpo. Accompanied by some choreographed theatrics, the new FX dropped from the ceiling and landed front and center ahead of its EX37 and G37 siblings, which will join it in the new Infiniti dealerships starting up in Europe this year.
The redesigned 2009 FX will come in three different flavors, topping out with the FX50 we saw here. As the name tells us, it features a new 5.0L V8, said to be good for 390HP and more than 500nM of torque. Fairly stout numbers compared to the outgoing 4.5. The 2009 FX should start appearing at North American Infiniti dealers by June. You can read about the rest of the changes to this fairly highly anticipated CUV in the press release after the jump, but we think the photos in the gallery will tell more of the story. Personally we'd be remiss if we didn't note that although most of the changes sound great, the second-gen FX doesn't improve on the previous generation in the styling department.
Press release after the jump. And we should also mention the new microsite that many of you have tipped us about, which is available by clicking here.
Press Release
2009 Infiniti FX Makes World Debut at Geneva Motor Show
Second Generation of Infiniti's Performance Luxury Crossover SUV
Goes On Sale in North America in June –
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (March 4, 2008) – Infiniti today revealed the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX performance luxury crossover SUV in conjunction with the Geneva Motor Show. The second-generation FX, with its fusion of sports car and SUV design, will be offered in three models, including a new 5.0-liter V8-equipped Infiniti FX50. The 2009 FX is scheduled to go on sale at Infiniti dealers in the United States and Canada in June 2008.
The new FX's world debut in Geneva was hosted by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who also announced details of Infiniti's plans to enter the Western European market in the last quarter of 2008.
About the 2009 Infiniti FX
The all-new second-generation Infiniti FX is designed to offer exceptional levels of power, refinement, safety and driving exhilaration. Created as a fusion of sports car and SUV, with breathtaking styling, sports car-like proportions and an advanced sports sedan platform, the new FX is a showcase of Infiniti's design and technology leadership.
Along with its dramatic, aerodynamic body structure and sporty FM (Front Midship) platform, the new FX features a extensive list of available equipment and technology designed to create an exciting and rewarding driving experience – including a new 380+ horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 or advanced V6 engine (V6 details to be released later), 7-speed automatic transmission with Adaptive Shift Control and available solid magnesium paddle shifters, available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive, 4-wheel independent double-wishbone suspension and large 4-wheel disc brakes. Also available on the new FX are a Continuous Damping Control (CDC) suspension, Rear-Active Steer, Intelligent Brake Assist and 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels designed by Enkei.
Inside, the new FX interior provides a warm, modern, inviting environment highlighted by a driver-oriented cockpit with available sport seating and available advanced audio, navigation and entertainment systems – including an 11-speaker Bose-developed audio system, Infiniti Intelligent Key, Intelligent Cruise Control (Full Speed Range), Distance Control Assist (DCA) and Around View Monitor system.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Taylor @ Mar 4th 2008 6:14PM
Way too over-worked. Lay off the caffeine guys.
Ligor @ Mar 5th 2008 2:00AM
you guys have to remeber that the first timet he FX came out everyone did not like it, then in a year or two they got usd to it
this one is not a pretty as the old one, but you can't confuse it with aything else
overall an improvement, but that front end is just not as nice as the current one.
Definitely nicer than the Porsche Cayene, VW brother to the Cayene, adn the Q7 IMO - those cars have a bar of soap design compared to the lines on this Infiniti.
and 380+HP in this 4200 lb SUV will make for a nice 5.6sec sprint to 60 - yikes that'll even be faster than the G35X
mark lee @ Mar 5th 2008 10:41AM
Congradulation Infiniti, you have created a car that's a replica of construction workers' beat-up boots.
almost Dr. G.. @ Mar 4th 2008 6:14PM
its not the most beautiful automobile but I LOVE IT!
the prior snapshots had me a bit worried but i really like the bulky muscular "i dont care what you think" styling..
im happy with this :)
Seoultrain @ Mar 4th 2008 6:16PM
Doesn't look like they changed very much, but it looks a lot worse.
Taylor @ Mar 5th 2008 1:52PM
I don't mind so much the exterior changes. What i was hoping for is the cabin to look like the EX model. The steering wheel looks like crap in the FX. Something out of an early model Hyundai. For a car that's going to be pushing $50K, they should have done much better with the interior. It's a big disappointment.
Mehul @ Mar 4th 2008 6:16PM
Love it!
Nice job on the interior too.
And finally someone manages to get the side air vents right! The ones on the Saturn Vue and others just dont go with the profile.
Kumail @ Mar 4th 2008 9:31PM
yeah, i agree the interior is quite improved, but i am more impressed with how the grill looks and how it ties into the headlights.
Mehul @ Mar 4th 2008 9:39PM
Looking at the pictures again, I kinda like the grille too.. Its not the regular honeycomb... Its different, just like the rest of the car.
zamafir @ Mar 4th 2008 6:19PM
God, that's horrid. I never wondered what an FX + Santa Fe step child would look like and I'm not sure why Infiniti produced this step backwards but E gad that's not good. The interior either. I'll stick with the previous gen FX thank you very much - at least it looked masculine in that GT-R quintessentially Japanese sort of styling... this just reads as an infiniti interpretation of kia styling. Hideous.
jg @ Mar 4th 2008 6:28PM
My parents drive a 07 Santa Fe. They love it. Especially the looks. They don't like when I point out how much it looks like (stole from) the FX.
zamafir @ Mar 4th 2008 6:42PM
I have nothing against the Santa Fe, I think it's a great product for the price. I have something against the FX adopting the Santa Fe's looks in a bad way, that's all. And the new busy, curvy fluid interrior.
zapperdude60 @ Mar 4th 2008 6:25PM
nissan just can't seem to make very good looking cars anymore. even the new gt-r looks rather odd.
tuna @ Mar 4th 2008 6:25PM
The nay-sayers should really refrain from making negative comments about styling of the new FX before seeing one in person. The sheet metal plays with light in ways that are difficult to capture in still photography. I had a chance to take a close look several months ago, interior and exterior. It's really a vehicle you must walk around and sit in to appreciate.
ihope2009nevercomes @ Mar 4th 2008 6:25PM
i..i threw up a little.
Juan @ Mar 4th 2008 6:28PM
When I first saw the pic on the front page I thought "what the hell did they do to the FX?" But once I looked through the gallery, I think I kind of like it... It has that sort of "Screw you if you don't like me" type of look. And the interior looks much better than the current FX. Finally Infiniti is offering interiors that can compete with the rest...
Carlos @ Mar 4th 2008 6:28PM
I am actually surprised, the spy shots look a lot worse.
Tim @ Mar 4th 2008 6:30PM
What's up with the rootbeer metalflake paint???
Seminole @ Mar 4th 2008 6:32PM
Hey Infiniti, lay off the Botox. The front of the FX looks like a So. Cal. wife's lips.
Raider007 @ Mar 4th 2008 6:37PM
i like the profile, i like the rear, the front end though is killing me...