[renov8r]

Hey, we've got a thread for the XC90, and the articles I've linked to suggest the FX45 isn't that far behind:

http://www.nissan.co.jp/MS/CONCEPTCAR01/fx45_photos.html

http://abclocal.go.com/wls/automotive/011102_AT_fx45.html

http://www.infinitihelp.com/Infiniti/News/fx45.htm

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshows/articles/48583/page025.html

Personnally I doubt that they will stick with "300+ HP" -- seems to be asking for trouble, and Nissan/Infiniti can't risk bad press (I suspect the 300 HP was dreamed up when they were so weak that ANY press was a good think, but with the new Altima things are looking up)

From some angles the rear hatch (split ala X5) looks too much like the hatch on Hyundia(?Kia) SUV.

Width looks MDX-like (or greater -- run Vic).

Interior leather in Q45 and new I35 is nicer than the Acura stuff, I don't know if it is "Connelly" or just "Connelly-like" but it much nicer that the "golf glove" Acura stuff.

I would predict that Infiniti sticker price would be in the X5 range, but Infiniti dealers are much accustomed to dealing...

 

[MDXtrous]

"Rear seat occupants, of which there can only be two..." That quote is enough not to consider it for an SUV.

 

[A2MDXer]

As Edmunds said, it may be a competitor for the Volvo or allroad, maybe even an X5 but certainly not the MDX (one of the bigger luxSUVs). That said it certainly is interesting, if somewhat ugly from the rear.

 

[hansm-X]

Also look at the 2003 NISSAN MURANO to be unveiled at the NY Auto Show on Mar 30:

http://www.nissandriven.com

-- appears to be the cousin of the FX45 albeit with a Pathfinder 3.5 VQ engine (?). I wonder if this will be a 7 seater?

Any thoughts ...

hansm-X

 

[vicpai]

Hey renov8r, you're right on the money on this one!!

Width looks MDX-like (or greater -- run Vic).

You're so right on this one!! When I saw it at the Detroit Auto show, I thought to myself finally a nice "tossable" little SUV perfect for me - with loads of power, loads of luxury all the ruggedness I could desire coupled with the reliability and quality that comes from the "land of the rising sun" - but then I saw the specs, especially the width and ran away from it as fast as my legs would carry me - I think the specs indicated that it's width was identical or a half inch or so less than the MDX - It looked deceptively small from the outside (from a distance)

 

[octavian]

Vic, you and "width" apparently do not get along very well, based on all your posts....

These crossover vehicles may be the next rage. We'll see. But did you take a look at the Acura RDX prototype in the Edumds URL from renov? As Arnie said to the Alien in "The Predator", "You are one ugly M***** ******."

 

[Acura3]

Wowsers

Since the French have taken command of Nissan/Infinity, the product coming out is giving Acura a run for the Japanese luxury performance honors. The G-35 rear wheel drive; the Nissan 3.5 Altima, the Maxima SE 255 HP (test drove one the other day, the thing hauls a....) and now this FX monster. If in fact they even get this thing out with "just" 19" wheels and 280 HP and under 38K, the MDX will finally have some real competition in the price/performance categories. In production form it may be suprisingly striking.

 

[donsev]

Re: Wowsers

Since the French have taken command of Nissan/Infinity, the product coming out is giving Acura a run for the Japanese luxury performance honors...

Actually, the tide is turning and now Nissan is having to rescue Renault (Nissan's profit and market cap are now higher than Renault's - today's WSJ)

Nissan Intends to Return A Favor to Its French Ally

By SCOTT MILLER AND TODD ZAUN
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL


For three years, Kazumasa Katoh, then head of Nissan Motor Corp.'s power-train operations, watched with growing admiration as Renault SA saved his company. First the French propped up the near-bankrupt auto maker with a five-billion-euro cash infusion, then they set about orchestrating a turnaround that has been nothing short of spectacular.

Now Mr. Katoh is trying to return the favor. Last May he moved to Paris to take over the power-train unit at Renault. It meant leaving his family behind in Tokyo and living in a country where he hardly spoke a word of the language and was afraid to drive his company car for fear of getting lost. But Mr. Katoh is pursuing a goal: to show the 3,000 Frenchmen he oversees how Nissan builds some of the best engines in the industry......

 

[renov8r]

Two words describe what's wrong with Renault...

... Jerry Lewis.

OLD JOKE, but I still love it!

 

[Fireblade6]

The Murano is one elegant looking vehicle

 

[crete]

Infiniti FX45

The infiniti.com website has a nice looking flash presentation of their new concept FX45 soon to be released in January 03. I wonder what the price range of this will be? $38-45K or maybe more?.

It looks really sharp with 21" wheels. se it under the future models link.

I really think within the next coming model year there will be a change in suv buying to crossover models.

 

[dakster]

I hope it rides better than my GX4 loaner and gets better gas mileage... Really starting to miss the 'X'... The turning radius sux and there is no rear seat....

Only think I liked was the ability to run in two wheel drive, auto, 4h and 4l... I run in 2wds with the hopes of better gas mileage. yeah, right. still get 12-13...

Reminds me of why I traded in the pathfinder I had...
Ohh, the leather is "better" than the acura, but the seats are uncomfortable as hell...

 

[octavian]

Didya check out that interior.....yuck! Exterior looks cool, though, but I wonder how much cargo space is back behind the b pillar.

If you combine the new Lexus RX (exterior) with this puppy (interior) , you have one uuuuuuggggggly vehicle.

 

[srpbep]

Don't think that I like the FX45. On the other hand, the Murano could be real interesting.

Does anyone out there have experience/knowledge with constantly variable transmissions. They sound "so logical" [e.g. engine can maintain a good RPM = "ideal" torque, hp, efficienty, etc.]. What is the skinny? Specifically, what are the problems?

 

[wmquan]

Also look at the 2003 NISSAN MURANO to be unveiled at the NY Auto Show on Mar 30:

http://www.nissandriven.com

-- appears to be the cousin of the FX45 albeit with a Pathfinder 3.5 VQ engine (?). I wonder if this will be a 7 seater?

Five passenger seating only. And that's not even how they're marketing it:

"First-class seating for two couples with ample, flexible luggage space ..."

Nevertheless, a very interesting vehicle, like the FX45. Definitely seems to be pushing at the "premium sporty" small-mid-size or large-compact segment. Size isn't what it's aiming for, width excluded.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/37050739/37119161tcCWZj

http://community.webshots.com/photo/37050739/37050865oDTEtW

Depending on your perspective, it's either a cool smaller SUV or an sportified Toyota Matrix.