2009 Infiniti FX50: Too Much Technology?

It's an interesting detail, but I think the lights are too close together to have any meaningful difference. Sort of how you don't get much of a stereo effect from two closely spaced speakers. If the lights were placed above the grab handles over the door that might be better.

I don't understand how this shows that the FX50 "has too much technology." It seems pretty clever to me, and as long as it doesn't affect the driving, I see no problem with it.

carguy622,
Overhead lights are near-spotlights, they're aimed. In my car they certainly do aim at the left or right seat, and does not illuminate both sides.

In fact, you can see in the picture that the passenger dash remains unilluminated.

It's Luxury. Luxury = excess.

Personally, I don't think it is too much technology. Being part of a younger generation, nothing is too much technology: unless your car drives itself- that's just boring.

In terms of the FX's technology, I think the correct word to describe it as is useless.

Yes.

Well, if it is useless, than so is this blog entry for pointing it out...

Useless features and technology like this are what make Imports superior to offerings from the Big Three, right?

And that has to be one of the most ugly steering wheels I've seen.

dang8's right.
I'd much rather get a 2001 Suburban than this junk for my hauling.
And I'd be driving a BMW Z4 for my daily cruises.

@dang8: No, it's superior execution that makes the imports superior to the big three.

@ zjev and mikeolan

the best details are those that aren't noticed.

@dang8

the details are what separates a chevy from a ferrari. the chevy has an engine, 4 wheels, and a roof. the ferrari has an engine, 4 wheels, and a roof. the difference is the details.

and the steering wheel's spokes are too narrow.

Well can your Ferrari haul your 250 lb grandma and a BBQ set and 8 steaks and 24 sausage links and silverware to the yard with 180 lb 12 year old nieces running around and crashing into your car?

I don't think so. That's why you need a 2001 Chevy Suburban. The All-American barbeque truck.

How bored do you have to be to notice that one? haha
This reminds me of the option Lexus used to offer to have the ash tray cover open at the same speed as whatever other spring loaded covers they had for like $800.

Actually, if that's the same wheel they have in the Maxima / 370z, that's the closest to perfection you'll find any steering wheel in terms of feel. The thumbs fall in naturally and it's perfectly shaped.

Thing of this as an Easter Egg. The car is just fine before you find it, then when you find it, you have an "Oh, that's neat." And then you feel special that your car has these neat touches that surprise you.

Case in point....In my 2000 Altima, I knew it wasn't the most expensive car or built with the best of materials. But I found that the glovebox and passenger side assist handles were dampened when I used them. In my current car, you can remotely lower the front windows. (Not an advertisement for Nissan, just personal experience.)

Little touches that don't necessarily make the car better, but tell you that you've gotten more than you initially thought. Isn't that a good thing?

Haven't you ever been in a situation where the doors are closed but one of them isn't completely shut?

These illuminated overhead lights will let you know which door it is.

Definitely an 'Easter Egg' and certainly a detail that makes you feel just a little better about buying the FX over a Murano.

msdaisy - There's an information display that actually pictorially displays which door is 'ajar'.

I like tiny details like that. Those tiny details are what make a luxury car a luxury car.

@billt9

each car has a purpose. the FX can carry all of that just as well as the Suburban. Only difference is that you can take the FX and have some fun on twisties afterwards. sure, it's not as good as that Ferrari but it's a lot better than the Suburban.

Suburban and similar vehicles, yes that includes cars such as a Pathfinder, Pilot, etc, are more-so for point A to B with the destination being the main attraction.

Cars such as the FX, X5, etc, also have that goal but you can have fun inbetween. I've taken my M45 on such trips and enjoying the road just as much as the destination.

cars such as the Ferrari are all about the road. sure the destination may be good to but for the performance it is capable of, it's geared to put that smile on your face as you through it into a turn and floor it to hear that exhaust note.

I think you can have too much technology. I'm personally of the belief that people are far too obsessed with 'features' and 'technology' in their cars, when what they really should be worrying about is how they drive. More features/technology generally means more to go wrong. That being sometimes reading this site and the comments make me believe that I'm the only one in the world who doesn't NEED power seats, cooled seats, panoramic sunroofs, GPS, keyless start, etc.

That being said, excess and over-design are the most basic reasons the FX50 exists.

I think it's kind of clever. I'm not sure exactly how this works, but say you open your door at night and the kids are sleeping in the back, their lights come on just dimly and don't disturb them as much.

Maybe it's for privacy for the passenger? Normally when the map lights come on the entire interior of the car is illuminated, which allows people to see into the car at night. If just one light came one, maybe it would only illuminate that one seat so everyone else in the car would still be invisible from the outside. That's all I could come up with... it's probably more likely that they just did it for the "ooo that's neat" factor. And there's nothing wrong with that if you ask me.

To me, "too much technology" means technology that gets in the way of doing simple activities. As for the difference in lighting between the overhead lamps; can't see how it's either good or bad....

I don't know if I'd call this technology. Useless? Maybe. Meaningless? Yup. Harmful? Not in the least.

Mostly, it just tells me that the designers have too much time on their hands.

"Well can your Ferrari haul your 250 lb grandma and a BBQ set and 8 steaks and 24 sausage links and silverware to the yard with 180 lb 12 year old nieces running around and crashing into your car?

I don't think so. That's why you need a 2001 Chevy Suburban. The All-American barbeque truck."

No wonder most Americans are soooo fat :D

The feature is called "welcome lighting" offered on the Infiniti FX as well as the EX. I find it very classy.

This seems like a kind of neat, if useless feature. I am with dougtheeng, I am far more interested in how a vehicle drives than all of the "features" that it has. In fact, I think that most vehicles would be better if they had fewer of thes unnecessary features that add wieght and complexity while providing infinite driver distraction. If manufacturers focused more on the driving dynamics of vehicles than on all of these sorts of features, I think that there would be real improvements in safety, fuel economy, and other driving characteristics that are actually nice to have in the real world.

Its interesting that with all of the technology that the FX has, this little feature is what is singled out as "too much technology."

The FX has a lot of technology that improves driving dymamics, safety (collision avoidance), and fuel economy(7 spd). This thing does handle and drive extremeley well, but you woudn't know it by reading Edmunds.

Other than Erin, most editors are getting in touch with their sensitive side and trying to figure out whether the FX and it's details should exist instead of taking this beast out on the road and enjoying it on commutes, mountain roads, or along the coast. This is clearly reflected by the numerous post justifying rim size, looks and features instead of day-to-day liveability.

This is a tremendous car, get out and drive it.

@k2rm : people like to whine. In other words, the FX is "too nice."

"with 180 lb 12 year old nieces running around"

Unless that 12-year-old is six feet tall, I'm really hoping that's sarcasm or hyperbole.

But I still love technology, always and forever.

Somehow I can't shake the feeling that you guys would have considered this feature enormously clever had you first found it in a BMW.

I always thought welcome lighting was the illuminating of exterior lights when approaching the vehicle. I like this feature on my TSX. When unlocking the doors at night the autolamp system turns on the lights. Great in a dark parking lot. I think GM does this better than anyone else because their vehicles also turn on the back up lights and sideview mirror puddle lamps along with the headlights to give you 360 degree illumination.

@zeph

correct. i remember reading how the rear-active steer in infiniti's is just a gimmick but then when the new 7 series has it, it's such a wonderful feature :rolleyes:

"correct. i remember reading how the rear-active steer in infiniti's is just a gimmick but then when the new 7 series has it, it's such a wonderful feature :rolleyes:"

You should also remember then that Infiniti's rear-active steer actually caused slower slalom times over the standard 2WS cars and at times created spooky handling sensations. The 7-Series system by most accounts is invisible in its operation and judging by the numbers over the previous 7, it also contributes to its improved performance.

If you want to see bias you will see bias no matter what.

Bimmerjay, can you provide a link supporting your claim? I haven't seen any direct comparison between sport and non-sport handling characteristics that supports your message above about the FX. Nor have I read any reviews claiming "spooky" handling.

Its also true that if you are biased you will never see yourself as being biased.

^ yea, all i ever read is them stating that it may be a gimmick but since there weren't non-sport models there, they had nothing to compare to.