The Infiniti FX37 crossover.
This is the $61k less expensive alternative to the FX50, V8 flagship of Nissan’s upmarket division Infiniti. But a smaller price tag doesn’t mean a weaker presence in traffic, with the FX37 still looking fierce enough to make road hoggers move over (this includes the occasional lorry, too).
Behind that epic grille dripping with chrome is a 3.7-litre V6 engine, taken from the Nissan 370Z sports car but tweaked for this crossover application. With an enthusiastic 320bhp put through a responsive 7-speed automatic transmission (complete with lovely paddle-shifters), the FX37 is nearly as quick as the VW Golf GTI from zero to 100km/h. Floor the throttle pedal in a U-turn, and the massive tyres even chirp a little.
Nissan Murano parts bin supplied some switches, but this Infiniti interior is otherwise impressive.
The FX is no hot hatch in terms of size and weight, of course, so you’ll need to work its V6 pretty hard to extract the performance promised in the specs sheet, but the free-revving engine is happy to oblige. The big car steers neatly and resists body roll stoutly, but it offers no “special effects” in outright handling, even with 50-profile footwear. Those 20-inch tyres incur a penalty in comfort, by the way, with the firm-riding FX unsettled by bridge expansion joints and rough tarmac patches.
Taking the rough with the smooth are the occupants of the cabin, who will enjoy plenty of room for four, plush leather everywhere and perfectly climate-controlled air-conditioning. Even their ears will enjoy the journey thanks to the 11-speaker Bose hi-fi system.
The Infiniti FX37’s 360Nm 3.7-litre V6 can only shift a hill compared to the 5-litre FX’s mountain-moving 500Nm.
Providing protection on the go are all-round airbags and active driving aids such as Forward Collision Warning. Carpark safety, too, has been considered, with a comprehensive 360-degree camera system helping the driver to park his bulky Infiniti without hitting anything.
What the FX37 is really trying to hit with its brand of funky chunky luxury are the Lexus RX350 and BMW X6 35i. Sounds like an interesting Torque Group Test already.
The view of the Infiniti FX37 from the rear.
2012 Infiniti FX37 3.7 (A)
ENGINE 3696cc, 24-valves, V6
MAX POWER 320bhp at 7000rpm
MAX TORQUE 360Nm 5200rpm
GEARBOX 7-speed automatic with manual select
0-100KM/H 6.8 seconds
TOP SPEED 233km/h
CONSUMPTION 8.3km/L (combined)
Check out the gargantuan 2018 Infiniti QX80 here
Infiniti QX50 is a luxury crossover with world-first technologies
