[N50]

Originally Posted by Jeff92se

What's the power rating? Nice!

A freshalloy member posted the following:

Got invited to a market research study and it turned out it was to evaluate a concept FX. I had to compare it agains the Mercedes ML, Acura MDX, Lexus RX, and BMW X5. The side profile is pretty much the same with the addition of vents in front of the front wheels. The back is evolutionary....nice curves and lines....a nice step forward. The front....I remain somewhat speechless. Wheras the current FX has a tall front grill, the front of this car appeared much thinner. It was almost like the front of a sports car had been stuck onto the FX. The front was the biggest change and I'm not sold on it yet. However, compared to the other cars, I'd still pick the FX.

The FX35 gets bumped up to 300hp. The FX50 comes with 390hp and 369 tourque. This sold me more than anything. I would guess that weight doesn't change that much, so this thing must be quick.

The interior (which by the way, you couldn't get into the concept car, you had to get into a mock-up of it to evaluate the interior) was nice. The steering wheel was hot with really cool looking paddle shifters. The look of it and the instrument panel reminded me a bit of the Acura MDX. The center console was much like the M. The only problem with the interior was this hideous diagonal patterned leather. I told them that that feature alone made me give the overall interior low marks. I pray that doesn't make it into production.

I'm invited back for a focus group, so I'll have another opportunity to help Infiniti get this right. I can't believe I got picked for this and even better they paid me $150 for my time.

This may answer a couple of questions:

1.) The new V8 will be a 5.0L V8 if what is quoted above is true.
2.) The new FX will NOT get a third row seat. I'm not sure how that rumor got started but everyone I talked to said that wasn't happening, and, it doesn't seem to be the case by the description above.
3.) Power ratings look to be around 400h and some hefty torque, nearly 370. (I'm not sure why Infiniti would disclose that at a research study, though)
4.) The FX is going more upscale. EX = G, FX = M

As far as the 5.0L V8, I heard rumors regarding this possibility well before the freshalloy member posted this. So I'm thinking there is validity to those rumors. Or, at least, I hope!