Porsche, Mercedes, BMW and Audi had better watch out because the European market can expect some strong competition beginning in the month of October, in the shape of the Infiniti, Japanese car maker Nissan’s luxury brand, which is making its French debut at the Paris Motor Show.
Nissan is taking its debut in the French capital seriously, and is bringing along its most recent technological and design innovations combined into one vehicle: the Infiniti FX37, packed with features that have already enabled it to conquer the Chinese and North American markets.
This latest Infiniti is an all terrain vehicle with a V6 engine producing 320 hp, similar to the 6 cylinder gasoline engines used in other luxury SUVs: for example the Lexus RX350, the BMW 3.0 or the Porsche Cayenne 3.6. But how does the FX37 differ from these prestigious rivals? Quite simply, it is between 30 and 40 hp more powerful than any of them, and is even more powerful than the Nissan Murano, its closest relative in the Nissan family.
Such power is possible thanks to the use of VVEL technology (Variable Valve Event and Lift), which varies the aperture of the engine valves, delivering more power, greater efficiency and better combustion.
Not surprisingly this system enables the Infiniti FX37 to accelerate from 0 to 100 kph in less than 7 seconds, and to reach a top speed of 230 kph.
The engine is married to a seven speed transmission with an F1 type steering wheel mounted shift, and also boasts an integrated intelligent traction system (ATTESA E-TS) which directs all the traction to the rear axle, giving the driver the feeling of being in a sports sedan, but that travels smoothly on normal road surfaces.
The engine’s advanced technology is complemented by similarly advanced accessories. This is the case with the adaptable xenon lights, which turn as the car corners. And the intelligent cruise control (ICC) that brakes the car when it gets too close to another vehicle.
Also worthy of note is the Active Continuous Camping Control adaptable suspension system, with aluminum components and a truly amazing feature: the Around View Monitor, a system of cameras that provides a bird’s eye view of the vehicle and its surroundings from the interior of the car.
This feature uses four external cameras – one on each side, and one each at the front and rear – which simulate the car’s position in real time. The system only works at low speeds and is of enormous help when parking or approaching another vehicle or a curb.
If the Infiniti FX37’s technological achievements are a welcome surprise, its design approach will also not fail to delight. Its designers have bestowed on the vehicle a sense of being at the cutting edge, but also with supreme restraint, both inside and out, using fine materials such as aluminum, leather and wood. These give the car a special aura, which creates in the driver the feeling of sharing a spiritual renewal with the car itself.
The designers were also at pains to include some additional features that will fascinate lovers of gadgets. Try the 11 speaker Bose sound system for example, or the new generation satellite navigation system. These luxury additions, combined with the features of the engine, represent the FX37’s case for taking the fight to the high end European car market. For US$80,000 the car is yours, provided you live in France, Germany, UK or Italy, which for now are the only countries in the Old World where this creation can be enjoyed.
www.infiniti.com
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