The 2009 Infiniti FX

May 22, 2008 - Infiniti surprised the automotive world when it gave us the G35 coupe. Just as sexy as the Z coupe yet more practical, it had most of the performance with a large dose of luxury thrown in -- instant success. But the Japanese luxury carmaker struck again in 2003 when it unleashed the FX series crossover. Very progressive in design, the FX looked nothing like the mid-size SUV it replaced, the Infiniti QX4 -- nothing more than a re-badged Nissan Pathfinder. Internally designers came up with some ridiculous term called "cool fusion." Artsy La Jolla terminology aside, the FX single-handedly redefined what the crossover should be, putting more "sport" into the sport-utility vehicle. No attempts were made to hide the fact that the FX was based on a car and had little in terms of utility: lots of power, fantastic design, room for five (okay, four) and lines that are still more than just current. Forget the marketing and pr, the performance on the FX series was indeed comparable to a four-door sedan and not a two-ton SUV. Infiniti offered two engines, both amazing -- a 3.5L V6 (fast) and a 4.5L V8 (faster).