Autoblog

Nissan initiates multi-vehicle recall over faulty bolts

Steven J. Ewing — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:02:00 EST

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Recalls, Safety, Crossover, Infiniti, Nissan

Nissan is recalling just over 14,700 vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 model years over faulty bolts in the engine. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, "bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength."

Affected Nissan vehicles include the 2011-12 Pathfinder, 2011-12 Xterra, 2012 NV and 2012 Frontier. Additionally, the 2011 Infiniti FX and 2012 Infiniti M are being recalled for this issue.

The NHTSA report states that if there is an engine oil leak, pressure would drop and the engine could possibly seize. Bad news all around.

The recall is expected to kick off in mid-January, and Nissan dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. To read the full NHTSA report, follow the jump.

Continue reading Nissan initiates multi-vehicle recall over faulty bolts

Nissan initiates multi-vehicle recall over faulty bolts originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 24 Dec 2011 17:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti and Red Bull wrap up the F1 season, FX in style

Noah Joseph — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:39:00 EST

Filed under: Crossover, Infiniti, UK, Luxury

Lots of automakers participate in F1 racing: Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Lotus, Renault... and not so long ago, BMW, Honda and Toyota were in on the action, too. But while these companies have made their own cars, engines and even fielded their own teams in the top motorsport discipline, Infiniti's participation has been a little more removed.

Nissan's luxury division, as you may well be aware, is one of the top sponsors of the current reigning championship team Red Bull. But without actually building or powering Sebastian Vettel's car, Infiniti has been on a constant search for ways to capitalize on its partnership. That could soon amount to a Red Bull-tweaked line of performance models, and has already lead to a Sebastian Vettel edition FX. But for those who can't stretch that far, Infiniti has announced - drum-roll, please - a vinyl wrap.

The celebratory livery is available at an as-yet undisclosed price to current FX owners, but for the "lucky" ten customers who buy an FX now in the UK and win a tour of the factory, it could be theirs for free. We'd be glad to take the tour, but we'll leave the wrap off our luxury crossovers, thank you very much.

Continue reading Infiniti and Red Bull wrap up the F1 season, FX in style

Infiniti and Red Bull wrap up the F1 season, FX in style originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 09 Nov 2011 18:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version unveiled by... Sebastian Vettel

Jeff Glucker — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:31:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Crossover, Infiniti

The Infiniti FX has always been a bit of a wild child in the premium crossover segment. It has a polarizing exterior style, and it's capable of reaching illegal speeds rather quickly. Infiniti has partnered up with Formula One racer Sebastian Vettel to make it even more extreme, and the result is the (rather blandly named) Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version.

What does it take for a F1 star to apply his moniker to anything other than a sports car? ~~Money~~. Serious upgrades to the overall performance of the vehicle. Vettel worked with Infiniti engineers to transform the FX50 into a lower, sleeker machine. The vehicle sits 20 millimeters lower and wears aero bits that help improve its coefficient of drag by 30 percent.

Those changes are rather welcome because Vettel wanted the FX bearing his name to hit a pretty impressive speed target. The goal was 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour), and this Infiniti FX Vettel Version is capable of achieving that mark.

Engineers were able to squeeze an additional 30 horsepower out of the 5.0-liter V8, bringing total output up to 414 horses. This was done by way of a new exhaust system and reflashing the the engine's computer. Still, 186 mph is a tough task for a bulky vehicle like the FX, so taller gearing was called for. Despite this, Infiniti says the Vettel FX manages to run from 0-60 miles per hour quicker than the standard FX50.

For the moment, the special FX is considered a concept car, though the rumormill has suggested for some time that Infiniti is working toward premium performance models with their cohorts from Red Bull Racing, so a production derivative isn't entirely out of the question. Read more about the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version by checking out the full press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version unveiled by... Sebastian Vettel

Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version unveiled by... Sebastian Vettel originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Sep 2011 17:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti previews Sebastian Vettel edition FX ahead of Frankfurt debut

Noah Joseph — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:07:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Frankfurt Motor Show, Performance, Crossover, Infiniti

With 390 horsepower on tap and a five-second 0-60 time, the Infiniti FX50 crossover really doesn't need much in the performance department. But merely "fast enough" isn't a term you'd commonly associate with Sebastian Vettel.

The defending Formula One World Champion drives an FX in his down time, serves as Infiniti's brand ambassador and has lent a capable hand or two in the development of the latest concept car coming out of the Nissan luxury division. The special Vettel edition has been anticipated for a few months now, but will finally be unveiled at the rapidly approaching Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

Just what specifications the special edition will encompass remains to be seen, as the short press release after the jump is conspicuously light on details, but from the solitary image released so far, we can tell it looks like one very mean performance crossover, with new aero bits, lighting, wheels and badging among the changes.

Continue reading Infiniti previews Sebastian Vettel edition FX ahead of Frankfurt debut

Infiniti previews Sebastian Vettel edition FX ahead of Frankfurt debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 28 Aug 2011 15:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Infiniti FX gets new fascia, small bump in price

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Car Buying, Crossover, Infiniti

Come October of 2011, there will be a revised version of the Infiniti FX available at your local dealership. For 2012, Nissan's luxury arm has bestowed its flashy crossover with a distinctive new front fascia that draws clear influence from Infiniti's latest design language first seen on the Infiniti Essence Concept from the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.

In addition to the new face, Infiniti has also added a new 20-inch wheel design and a slightly redone instrument cluster. Finally, a new FX35 Limited Edition model hits the ground wearing an exclusive Iridium Blue exterior color along with blacked-out exterior finishes and unique 21-inch wheels. If you want one, we suggest you act fast; Infiniti plans only 550 LE models for North America.

Infiniti has left the powertrain alone for 2012, not that any changes were really all that necessary. The FX35 continues on with 303-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 while the FX50 boasts 390 horses from its 5.0-liter V8. Either engine comes mated to a seven-speed automatic gearbox that gets optional paddle shifters on the FX50. All-wheel drive is optional on the FX35 (base models get rear-wheel drive) and standard on the FX50.

Pricing doesn't change much for 2012, with the base FX35 starting at $43,450 and the FX50 at $59,350. The new Limited Edition FX35, which comes only with all-wheel drive, will go for $51,550. According to the automaker, "popularly equipped" models wear the same price tags in 2012 as they did in 2011.

Want to know more? Check out our image gallery (note: the blue FX35 is the Limited Edition color) and then peruse the press release after the break.

Continue reading 2012 Infiniti FX gets new fascia, small bump in price

2012 Infiniti FX gets new fascia, small bump in price originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Aug 2011 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Vilner retrims Infiniti crossovers' passenger cabins

Noah Joseph — Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:09:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Crossover, Infiniti, Luxury

Vilner Infiniti EX37 & FX37 - Click for high-res image gallery

Bulgarian customizer Vilner is known for creating luxurious passenger cabins. We've seen its crew apply their talents to the Mini Cooper, Chevy Camaro and Smart ForTwo, and now they've turned their attention to Infiniti's crossovers.

Since the press release after the jump offers little in the way of details, we'll let the images of the nautically inspired interiors in these EX37 and FX37 CUVs speak for themselves.

Continue reading Vilner retrims Infiniti crossovers' passenger cabins

Vilner retrims Infiniti crossovers' passenger cabins originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 09 Jul 2011 13:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Infiniti FX models see price drop for 2011

Dan Roth — Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Crossover, Infiniti, Luxury

2011 Infiniti FX - Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Infiniti FX has just received that rare gift of a price cut, with $2,600 coming off the FX50's MSRP and $1,250 in savings for the FX35. Looking at Infiniti's numbers for 2010, the division has been outperforming 2009 by anywhere from 10 to nearly 50 percent since February 2010, but the picture comes into focus when you separate the FX from the herd.

Despite good divisional performance, the swoopy FX is off 12.4 percent calendar year to date, according to the Nissan North America sales report for August 2010. It's not like 2009 was a banner year, of course, so to help spur FX sales, Infiniti has lowered the base MSRPs on its FX models to $41,600 for the rear-wheel-drive FX35, $43,050 for the FX35 with all-wheel drive and $56,400 for the V8-powered FX50. To sweeten the pot, Infiniti is also throwing in a standard power liftgate, too. We'll know soon enough whether the pricing gambit has worked. Official press release posted after the jump. Hat tip to Zach!

Gallery: 2011 Infiniti FX

[Source: Infiniti]

Continue reading Infiniti FX models see price drop for 2011

Infiniti FX models see price drop for 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 23 Sep 2010 17:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD

Michael Harley — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST

Filed under: In the Autoblog Garage, Crossover, Infiniti, New Car Reviews, Luxury, Off-Road

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD

Infiniti's FX first arrived on the scene in 2003. At the time, it looked like something transported into the showroom directly from the auto show concept car turntable. While other manufacturers were delivering boxy SUVs, Infiniti presented the world a futuristic four-door crossover that was available in vibrant "Liquid Copper" paint. Even in bland white, the FX turned every head on the road - and rightfully so. Now in its second-generation, the all-new 2009 FX arrives with a more powerful 5.0-liter V8, a new 7-speed automatic and a mouthful of electronic driving aids that are sure to stump even the team at Engadget. Is the all-new FX a worthy replacement to its predecessor? Has it turned soft to please the luxury crowd? What's up with all of that gadgetry? Find out after the jump.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50

Continue reading Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD

Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2009 Infiniti FX

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:57:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Crossover, Infiniti, First Drives

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Infiniti FX

It's confession-time: I've got a fetish for multi-purpose vehicles. No, I've never been a fan of SUVs. And no, the recent spate of crossovers has left me scratching my head (give me a wagon or give me death!). But what I am interested in are vehicles that can exhilarate on-road while holding their own off-road. It's that same allure that had me pressed against the window of a Subaru dealership at midnight to fantasize about the 2.5RS ten years ago; the reason that I can't wait to drive the BMW X6; and the reason I find myself in San Diego, once again, to spend some quality time with the 2009 Infiniti FX.

Gallery: First Drive: Infiniti FX

Continue reading First Drive: 2009 Infiniti FX

First Drive: 2009 Infiniti FX originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 23 Apr 2008 00:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Not quite official: Infiniti dealer posts FX teaser online

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:17:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Infiniti

A certain sales manager from a certain dealership in Long Island was kind enough to take a little bit of the wind out of Infiniti's sails ahead of its unveiling of the redesigned FX CUV. The detailed headlamp shot above was posted on an Infiniti FX forum (who knew?), and pretty much confirms the styling tweaks the new fascia will get, particularly when you imagine it on the set of spy shots we've seen already. The only thing that's left to the imagination is the reconfigured rear end, which will likely sport some new tail lamps and a redesigned bumper. We'd be remiss not to point out that it's not in the dealer's best interest to include his name and contact information in his forum signature, lest Infiniti's corporate communications folks come calling.

Thanks for the tip Jonathan.

Gallery: Spy Shots: 2009 Infiniti FX

[Source: InfinitiFX.org]

Not quite official: Infiniti dealer posts FX teaser online originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:17:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Sketched speculation: Infiniti FX37/FX50 concept

Damon Lavrinc — Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:05:00 EST

Filed under: Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Infiniti

Although the CAR crew seems to have the inside line on Audi's future releases, with its recent spate of "official" images posted earlier this week, Top Speed was able to procure some details about Infiniti's new FX-series crossover.

The artist depiction shows a revised front end that draws cues from the new G-series sedan, with more tautly drawn headlamps flanking a revised grille and more muscular front fenders. However, everything aft of the A-pillar appears to carry over from the current model -- pretty much what we've expected.

More important than the exterior changes is what lies underhood, and according to Top Speed the new FX will come equipped with either the new 3.7-liter VQ V6 or a 5-liter V8, producing 390 HP and 369 lb.-ft. of torque. Naturally, the new models' badging will reflect their newfound power: FX37 and FX50, respectively.

Beyond the upgraded powerplants, expect the new FX to come equipped with a back-up camera, radar-assisted cruise control and mirrors that will automatically adjust when the seating position is changed.

Although Top Speed simply cites an internal source for all these details, most of the information seems entirely plausible. We'll just have to wait until next year, when Infiniti pulls the cover off of the new FX in Geneva for confirmation.

[Source: Top Speed]

Sketched speculation: Infiniti FX37/FX50 concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Jul 2007 12:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Autoblog's Top 10 Coachbuilt Supercars

Noah Joseph — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:54:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Concept Cars, Performance, Supercars, BMW, Chevrolet, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, Ferrari

Sometimes the past deserves to remain in the past, but once in a while the automotive industry reaches into its history to resurrect something worthwhile whose demise was regrettable and whose return is welcome. The return of coachbuilding is one example of an industry trend we're glad is making a comeback.

Coachbuilding was popular decades ago among the extremely wealthy for whom the ordinary offerings of the automotive industry weren't anywhere near exclusive enough, so they had special bodywork fitted to regular cars to make them their own. Contemporary coachbuilt motors follow the same formula: an existing car fitted with new bodywork, and often customized mechanicals, for the most discerning and obscenely wealthy clients. Results have varied, but variety, as the saying goes, is the spice of life. Here we've chosen our ten favorite examples.

Continue reading Autoblog's Top 10 Coachbuilt Supercars

Autoblog's Top 10 Coachbuilt Supercars originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 21 Jul 2007 11:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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