KayGee

This morning, I participated in a marketing research study of full size luxury SUVs. I am not sure how they got my name but this is the fourth time that I have done this at $150 a pop. (I used it to help fund my new taillights) The vehicles that I had to judge were: Lexus LX40, Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Range Rover and a new prototype Infinity. My overall opinion: the Range Rover was ugly, Navigator had cheap looking interior, Escalade - I am surprised at the popularity of this thing, the Infinity was visually stunning, and the Lexus looks dated however the interior is speculator and the fit and finish are without equal. I don't know when the Infinity will hit the market, but I think that it will give the LX a run for its money. Has anyone else seen this Infinity prototype?

Jayson

Got any pics?

KayGee

Sorry, no pictures were allowed. But the Infinity was stunning if you like full size SUVs.

squarehat

I had no idea Infiniti had a full-sized, truck-based SUV in the works. I keep seeing pictures of the upcoming FX45 crossover, but no truck-based one. Is this thing as massive as an LX, Navigator, or Escalade, or is it closer to the size of the current QX4?

KayGee

It is a little bit larger than all of them. I am not sure of the production timetable because the prototype did not have an interior and they wouldn't let me touch it.

Daddy-O

KayGee,

Is this it?

KayGee

No that is not it. It was not nearly as swoopy (is that a word?). More of a box shape with that new style Infinity grill.

squarehat

The pic Daddy-O posted is of the FX45, which is a mid-sized crossover utility vehicle about the size of the RX, with the 4.5L V8 from the M45 and Q45. It will have a sibling called the Nissan Murano (think RX/Highlander, MDX/Pilot) It's car-based, and not nearly as big as an Escalade, Navigator, or LX470. If this thing is larger than the Escalade, than wow. Especially if it has an even bigger V8. And Infiniti loves to put gimmicks (like the reverse camera on the Q45 and the mini-projector headlights, and the A/C seats on the M45).
Off topic, I parked near a Hummer H2 today. For a "baby" Hummer, that think is massive. Bright yellow just like the magazine ads.

Kash

mumm bright yellow :P

Jayson

Give this ugly crossover 2 years of production and it will have fallen the way of the dodo. Jeez, what a waste of research and development dollars!