Inside Line tests hundreds of vehicles a year, but not every one gets a full write-up. The numbers still tell a story, though, so we're introducing a new feature on Straightline called "IL Track Tested." It's a quick rundown of all the data we collected at the track, along with comments direct from the test drivers. Enjoy.
You may not have noticed, but the Infiniti FX was redesigned for 2009. It still has all that "bionic cheetah" stuff baked into it, but it also has a rather large gaping mouth that does little to help its cause. Luckily, Infiniti kept it stocked with horsepower and massive wheels and tires to make up for its odd styling.
We've had plenty of seat time in our long-term Infiniti FX50 with the big 5.0-liter V8, but the V6-powered FX35 is the volume seller. Well, that is if you can consider sales of 12,079 FX35s in 2008 "volume". It looks good on paper though with over 300-horsepower, all-wheel drive and big sticky tires, so we were interested in just how well it would stack up at the test track. Results after the jump.
Vehicle: 2009 Infiniti FX35
Odometer: N/A
Date: 11/11/08
Driver: Chris Walton
Specifications:
Drive Type: all wheel drive
Transmission Type: 7-speed Automatic
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3497cc (213 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 303 @ 6500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 262 @ 4800
Brake Type (front): ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): ventilated disc
Steering System: speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): double wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): multi-link
Tire Size (front): 265/60R18
Tire Size (rear): 265/60R18
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE92
Tire Type: performance
Wheel Size: 18 X 8.0 front - 18 X 8.0 rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,296
Test Results:
0 - 30 (sec): 2.5
0 - 45 (sec): 4.3
0 - 60 (sec): 6.6
0 - 75 (sec): 9.5
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.8 @ 94.0 mph
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.4
30 - 0 (ft): 29
60 - 0 (ft): 114
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 62.8
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): .82
Handling Rating: Good
Db @ Idle: 43.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.3
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 68.6
Acceleration Comments: A bit of a bogger outta the gate, but crisp shifts and a revvy engine wake the FX35 up for an impressive run overall.
Braking Comments: Unlike our previous FX50 test vehicle, this FX35 showed no signs of brake fade during or brake tests or acceleration tests. Minimal dive and dead straight stops from first to last. Moderate to firm pedal effort required.
Handling Comments: Difficult to maintain a precise circle around the skidpad - required continual steering and/or throttle adjustment. Flexing tires, all-wheel drive and a touchy throttle make it so. As with the skidpad, the FX35 was difficult to predict in the slalom. Each cone was its own event because it was impossible to find a natural rhythm due to steering delay/gain, stiff springs and soft rebound damping. Get the first cone wrong and the whole run was ruined. VDC does not truly turn off.
subytrojan says:
07:36 PM, 01/27/09
70.7 mph through the slalom!!! WOW!!! I guess I should take one of these to the Streets of Willow Springs instead of my WRX.
billt9 says:
08:23 PM, 01/27/09
Ya 70.7 mph through the Edmunds slalom? Is that the same slalom in all the Full Tests?
That's amazing. This car can outrun most sports cars.
drewsrx says:
09:24 PM, 01/27/09
Infiniti sold 12,660 FX's in 2008, NOT 738.
Not sure where you got that number from.
billt9 says:
10:16 PM, 01/27/09
Ya 12,660 and they're dang proud of the 39% sales decrease... that's good for a "truck" in 2008 right?
http://www.nissannews.com/assets/attachments/2008_December_Sales.pdf
zoomzoomn says:
04:20 AM, 01/28/09
Maybe the handling was tricky when pushing this beast thru the slalom at 70.7mph! 4300 pounds of tall wagon/sedan and all. But how did it feel at 9/10's?
gearhead99 says:
04:30 AM, 01/28/09
I've owned one of these since August. It's no sport machine and not great at 9/10's At 7/10's it's awfully good. A pleasure to drive in day to day use. The interior is very very nice for 2. I like the utility when taking one of the kids to college but wouldn't want to own the FX with younger teens squeezed in back.
fst1 says:
06:48 AM, 01/28/09
@drewsrx: You are correct,well actually our numbers show 12.079, but it's certainly more than the original 738 number, must have been looking at the FX45 column.
@subytrojan: Keep your WRX, slalom number was left over from previous vehicle, actually number is a much more believable 62.8 mph, sorry for getting your hopes up.
EH
esoterica says:
07:36 AM, 01/28/09
7-speed auto, not 6. AFAIK, Infiniti has never had a 6-speed auto.
billt9 says:
10:46 AM, 01/28/09
awwwwwww no sports car slalom? awwwwwww......
subytrojan says:
11:39 AM, 01/28/09
D'oh! Thanks for the fix, Ed! Keep up the great work!
s197gt says:
11:54 AM, 01/28/09
i think you've got the wrong tires listed, too. they are all-seasons and tirerack.com reports the oem tire as the Bridgestone Dueler H/P 92A, not the Potenza RE050A.
CycloneRcr says:
01:52 PM, 01/28/09
I guess there are also other confusions, 6.6 sec 0-60 and 14.8 sec quarter mile seemed a bit optimistic.
tib2006 says:
06:27 PM, 01/29/09
I am not too sure what Infiniti was thinking when they originally designed this vehicle as it obviously has limited market appeal. I am a bigger fan of the BMW X6, but to be truthful neither vehicle is all that practical, but as for the X6 50i, who cares when you have 400 horses at your command. When the dust settles at the end of the day, I either want a sports car or an SUV, not both at the same time. I rest my case.