2011 Infiniti FX Updated with New Features in Europe

Infiniti has rolled out the 2011 FX in Europe. For the new model year, the Japanese firm’s SUV gains new convenience and safety features along with new color and trim combinations, while keeping the same engine range, which includes two petrol units and a diesel option.

Perhaps the most important addition is that of the Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system, which backs up its audible and visual warnings of an unintended lane departure with a dynamic intervention helping steer the vehicle back into the correct lane. Previously available only on the FX30d, the LDP now comes standard on the FX37 GT Premium and S Premium, and FX50 S Premium, as well as Premium versions of the FX30d.

Infiniti has also added a new power tailgate to the standard equipment of all FX models. It’s worth noting that the height the tailgate opens to is programmable to help avoid problems when operating the door in restricted spaces, while it can also raised or lowered from a switch on the dashboard, from buttons both inside and outside the tailgate, or remotely from the I-Key.

Finally, for the first time on the FX, Infiniti’s Malbec Black paint is one of the eight colors available. The finish, which replaces Mojave Copper on the FX color chart, features the brand’s Scratch-shield technology that promises to hide fine surface scratches.

In Europe, the FX is offered with three engines including a 238HP V6 diesel, 320HP V6 petrol and 390HP V8 petrol of the range’s flagship model, the FX50 S Premium, which can accelerate from 0-62mph (100km/h) in 5.8 seconds.

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Infiniti G37 Coupe S gets into Rally Guise for the Needs of the Spanish Rally Championship

To answer your first question, no, Infiniti is not going to compete in a European rally. What the company is doing is to supply a G37 Coupe S as a safety car for the Rallies Championship of Spain. The so-called ‘Infiniti Work Car Zero’ began its duties in the Rally of Villajoyosa on April 1. It is based on the G37 Coupe with power coming from an all-aluminum 3.7-liter V-6 engine that produces 320HP and 360 Nm (265.5 lb-ft) of torque at 7,000 rpm, and is linked to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Infiniti Car Zero is very close to standard specification with only a few modifications necessary for rally duty, such as the Vimesa roll bar, Bilstein dampers, Galfer brake pads, additional lights , siren, communications equipment and a GPS.

Sparco supplied the racing seats and seatbelts, the fire extinguishing system and equipment for the drivers. Finally, the car rides on high performance Michelin Pilot SuperSport tires.

"Infiniti is a brand that offers high performance products and impressive technology, values that lend itself to motorsport support”, said Polo Satrústegui, general director of Infiniti Spain and Portugal.

“The agreement with the Spanish Federation allows us to collaborate with the important task of providing event safety. And to extend Infiniti brand awareness,” added the official. Nissan's luxury brand Infiniti also supplies a safety car for the GT Championship of Spain.

The G37 Coupe S safety car will be driven at all Spanish rally events by Marc Blazques, World TT champion for Nissan, with Salvador Belzunces as co-pilot.

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Nissan Recalls 195,991 Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 SUVs over Rust Danger

Nissan has issued a recall action for certain Pathfinder SUVs from the 1996-2004 model years and Infiniti QX4s from the 1997-2003 model years due to a possible corrosion problem that could lead to the loss of steering.

The recall affects a total of 195,991 Pathfinder and QX4 SUVs sold or currently registered in the states of Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin.

In these states, a lot of road salt is used during winter, with the aforementioned models being at risk to get water and salt into the upper strut housing through a hole. Over time, this can lead to the breaking of the strut housing from its attachment point under the hood, followed by grinding noises and increased steering effort.

The Japanese automakers said that while the vehicles remain drivable, continued use could lead to the breaking of the steering column, resulting in the loss of steering control.

Nissan said it will inspect the strut housing of the affected models and will repair the vehicles if necessary, free of charge. The company will notify owners on or before May 16.

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Infiniti Shows us 2013 JX Crossover's Rear End with Teaser Shot No5

Since the beginning of July, Infiniti has been releasing a teaser photo of its new 2013 JX luxury crossover every single week and will continue to do so until the official unveiling at this year's Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance event in Monterey, California, on August 18.

For this week's menu, we get the fifth picture that shows the 7-seater model's rear end in all its glory but nothing else more. You can check out the rest of the images of the 2013 Infiniti JX right after the break.

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2012 Infiniti FX Brings Mildly Refreshed Looks

It's that time of the year in the U.S. that automakers launch their new model year lineups. For the Infiniti FX, the luxury crossover enters the 2012MY with some mild styling changes inside and out along with new standard features and the presentation of a limited edition version.

The visual refresh concerns a new front grille and fascia design that is influenced by the Essence Concept and which we will see all future Infiniti models, plus a revised meter illumination with a more pronounced white appearance.

For 2012, all FX trim models are now offered with standard heated front seats, while other enhancements include a new exterior color (Graphite Shadow replaces Platinum Graphite); a new 20-inch wheel design for the FX35 Deluxe Touring Package; the addition of Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) to the FX50 Sport Package, and a shift of the quilted leather climate-controlled front seats to the FX35 Deluxe Touring Package from the Premium Package.

Infiniti has also introduced a new Limited Edition model based on the all-wheel drive FX35 model. It features an available exclusive Iridium Blue exterior color along with 21-inch alloy graphite finish wheels shod in P265/45R21 V-rated all-season tires, smoked out headlamps with Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and auto-leveling, and dark tinted side air vents and lower door trim.

Other standard features on the FX35 Limited Edition include aluminum roof rails and roof rail crossbars with graphite finish, aluminum pedals, graphite floor mats with bespoke blue piping, Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System and Around View Monitor (AVM).

There are no changes to the engine range as the FX continues in 2012 with a choice of two powerplants, a 3.5-liter V6 rated at 303-horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque in the FX35 and a 5.0-liter V8 producing 390 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque in the FX50.

The 2012 FX will go on sale in the U.S. in October.

2012 INFINITI FX

2011 INFINITI FX

Carlos Ghosn Hints at a GT-R Based Infiniti…Sort Of

Nissan’s luxury offspring, Infiniti, already has a sports car, the G37 coupe. But lately there has been a lot of talk about cooperating with Red Bull now that the latter is considering entering the car-making business.

In addition, Nissan’s boss, Carlos Ghosn, is teasing us with a rather exciting prospect: an Infiniti version of the amazing Nissan GT-R. At least that’s what he hinted at during an interview in CAR magazine.

The two companies belong to the same group, so platform and parts sharing is common practice these days and Infiniti could definitely use a halo model to combat the M’s and AMG’s of this world. The Essence concept would be a great idea for coating the GT-R's hardware with a sexier outfit.

Like all CEOs, Ghosn was being coy: “If you ask me ‘are we going to do that’, I would say ‘no, I don’t think so’. But if your question is ‘could we do that, I would say ‘yes’. The idea of using existing technologies on the body of an Infiniti… All technologies developed for Nissan are available to Infiniti”.

So, he didn’t say they will do it, by he didn’t deny it either. Chances are they won’t, at least not now, as Infiniti has other priorities: “I think we need to go step by step” says Ghosn. “We have the FX, the M, the G. Then we have the high-end 4x4 QX in the US. We have the electric car and a sub-G smaller car coming”.

No GT-R Infiniti dreams, then? “The idea makes sense. The technology and platform are readily available. The GT-R is a great car. Is it a project now? No. But I don’t want to give you the impression we’ll never do that. But don’t think it’s coming in the next two or three years”.

It’s okay, Mr. Ghosn. We can wait a little longer…

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