High-performance luxury SUV.

Has a good ring to it, but it is not something anyone is used to hearing. Infiniti is apparently trying to appeal to a new group of SUV buyers with a steroid-filled version of its luxury performance cars. It is also a heck of a way to make their grand entrance into the Aussie automotive scene.  The arrival of the 2013 Infiniti FX will mark the debut of Nissan’s luxury division in Australia, and what a fine hello it is going to be.

Infiniti will be offering  three engine choices for the 2013 Infiniti FX, none of which promise great fuel economy, but if you are buying a high-performance luxury SUV, are you really concerned with how many km you get out of a tank? My guess is probably not.  The smallest engine will be the 3.7-liter petrol V6 (235kW/360Nm); a mid-range FX30d 3.0-liter diesel (175kW/550Nm); and the blow the doors off FX50S, the 5.0-liter V8 petrol (287kW/500Nm). Fuel economy for the V8 is estimated at around 14.4L/100km, and again, they will not be winning any awards for being fuel-efficient.

 

Every Infiniti FX will be equipped with AWD and a 7spd automatic transmission, four-wheel disc brakes, performance suspension and Dual Flow Path shocks. All models will also feature an 11-speaker Bose audio system, keyless entry, interactive cruise control, full view cameras, leather interior, electronic gadgetry galore and a long list of other creature comforts you expect to find in something built to compete with Lexus, BMW and the like. It also has no lack of safety features such as traction control, crash warning systems and airbags throughout the interior. The AWD is also something that has been revamped as a dynamic all-wheel-drive system that Infinity calls ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split). In simpler terms, it handles just like an Infinity sports car.

As this is being written, there is no pricing available for the Infiniti FX, but obviously it is not going to be the least expensive SUV in Australia, expect to be up there in the competitors range like the BMW. Of course, the price will vary as the more power and toys you want, the more you are going to pay. If what they sell for in the States is any indication, they will be popular with a select group of buyers that want something new and different, or are simply tired of their BMW.

 

Infiniti is choosing quite an interesting vehicle to make their debut in Australia, but with any luck, this will not be the one and only big bang that gets everyone interested in the high-priced Nissan division. Infiniti has done well in the United States, and if they can continue the caliber of vehicles they produce here and take it to Australia, they should be competing with the rest of the established luxury vehicle market in no time.