As far as interior design goes, it goes without saying that the new FXs interior is miles better than the old one. If you've sat in an EX, you know what to expect. Again, I didn't take as many pics as I should have and forgot some important things. Starting with the gauge cluster, the gauges and needles fade in (when starting the car) and out (when shutting the car off) and do a needle sweep like the M. Very trick even if they are little touches. The gauges themselves look virtually identical to the ones on the current G and EX. One big thing you WILL notice however is that the gauge cluster no longer moves with the steering wheel. Like the M and the EX, the wheel moves independently from the cluster. Only the G Coupe and Sedan retain this feature. The center stack is finished in black lacquered wood as are the door trim panels on the 35. All 50s come with stained maple wood on the door which are optional on the 35 (all of our cars came equipped as such). Honestly if I were buying a 50, I'd probably inquire about finding someone to swap trim pieces with as there are so many materials on various panels it begins to look like the designers couldn't come to a consensus and just said "let's do a bit of everything."
Tech wise, the around view monitor is back and works just as flawlessly here as it does on the EX as does scratch shield paint. Some trick new features are available such as Distance Control Assist, Intelligent Braking Assist etc... I'll let you guys read up on these things rather than delve too deeply. One cool thing I noticed is that the seat belts seem to utilize the pre-crash seatbelt tensioners (on models equipped with pre-crash seatbelts) to tighten them once you fastened the belt and then loosen them just a bit for comfort. Then when you unfasten your belt, the tensioner is used to reel the belt in. Pretty trick stuff.
I did happen to get a look at all three interior colors. Wheat and Graphite are the same as always and Java is a bit darker than the Chestnut interior found in the EX. Of the three, Graphite (Black) works the best as it matches up the best with the various trim pieces throughout the cabin.
Wheat interior
Java Interior
And now comes the good stuff. How does it drive? Well, I sampled the 50 of course and let me tell you that this thing hauls azz. I have a strict policy whereby I never wind out new cars that haven't been broken in, but I will admit that I bent that rule here just a bit to see what she had. The exhaust note "seems" quieter from the driver's seat, but I think this can be chalked up to a quieter cabin and more sound deadening as from the outside the car sounded "t3h sex." The 35 also sounded very good. The 50 just pulls and pulls though. I can't wait for this motor to find its way into the M. It's just so sad that its debut comes at a time when gas is approaching $4.50 on it's way to $5.00 a gallon.
Handling, the car is as sharp as ever. I wasn't thrashing it around, but took some sweepers and turns and the turn in felt a bit more crisp than the current car. Can't wait to "reeeeally" wring one out. The brakes are more than up to the task of bringing this two ton beat to a halt.
FX50 brake rotors and calipers
The trans worked brilliantly and 7th makes for great cruising. I really hope this will improve the vehicle's fuel economy although I know that has more to do with my right foot than anything else. Still, 7th is a super tall overdrive ratio and I think it'll definitely demonstrate its worth on the highway.
Overall, the car feels like an FX that's been tweaked for both better on-road performance, but oddly enough, better on-road comfort as well. It's rare that a manufacturer is able to improve a vehicle in both categories but they've done so here with the FX, moreso in the second category comfort. Compared with the original '03 FX45, the updated '05 and '06 models felt a bit more compliant. The '09 feels miles ahead of all of them. Still drives like a sports car and rides like one, but much more liveable and less jarring over expansion joints.
All in all, I'm very impressed with the new FX. The styling has yet to fully grow on me, but I think it will over time. I still hope Infiniti chooses to tone down some of the funkier design elements (the grille, the tacky and ostentatious side vents) when the vehicle gets its mid-cycle refresh, but overall I think they've done a good job. Provided you can agree with the way the new one looks, if you're a fan of the original, you'll be an even bigger fan of the sequel.
More pics of the FX35 in various colors
Umbria Twilight
Liquid Platinum
Black Obsidian (arguably the best looking color on the FX. Midnight Mocha and Blue Slate should be impressive as well.)
*edit* Pics of the front and rear lighting and the Graphite interior, dash and trim added below.