2007 Infiniti EX Concept Review

Specifications

Move over Acura RDX and BMW X3, there’s a new player coming to town inthe compact luxury crossover segment. The EX Concept is Infiniti’s warning shot to the world that it’s planning on entering this highly competitive market this fall, giving showgoers at the New York International Auto Show a taste of things to come. The EX is to the FX, what the X3 is to the X5, a little brother that shares a strong resemblance in every imaginable way. The EX looks to build on what people admired in the FX, namely its organic, coupe-like styling, strong performance and excellent handling, but scaled down in size and in cost allowing more people to get into the Infiniti family. Highlights of the EX’s exterior include the L-shaped headlamps with dual HID beams and corporate grille, plus the graceful hatchback and low, wide, planted stance.

Infiniti chose to use its FM platform, which for the record is the sameplatform that’s used to underpin the G, the M and the FX; riding on a 112.0 inch long wheelbase confirms that it’s much more G than M or FX. That’s a good thing, as the target category includes some of the best handling SUVs on the market. Infiniti has redesigned the rear suspension system so that its brace points do not intrude on the cargo area, but other than that much has been left alone. The EX also boasts speed-sensitive power steering, large four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, EBD and BA, for short stopping distances, and stability control to keep it shiny side up, not that the EX would need it with its wide track and low center of gravity.

It might be upholstered from roof to seat institched, two-toned leather, but this is pretty much the interior that will be featured on the EX. Infiniti describes the curved shape of the dashboard as wave inspired. Indeed, it provides a modern, wave-like flow that makes the FX look chunky and dated. The EX features an “electronic soft-touch shifter”, but we’re not quite sure as to how it differs from a regular gearshift gate; we think it’s similar to the linkage-free system featured on BMW’s new X5. Other noteworthy changes include a new lighting scheme that’s switched from amber to a softer violet, and there’s more interior ambient lighting mounted in the headrests to give the cabin a warmer and more sophisticated look at night. The EX concept is topped off with a liquid crystal glass multi-panel panoramic roof that is capable of being completely translucent, like glass, or, completely opaque. We’ve seen this sort of system before on high-end luxury vehicles such as Maybachs and Ferraris.

Part of the EX’s purpose as a show car is to highlight two newtechnologies that Infiniti’s RandD team has been working on. The first system is the Lane Departure Prevention system; automakers have been investing in hardware and software that can warn a driver if the car he or she is piloting inadvertently drifts into an adjacent lane or off the road. It’s a valuable safety feature that many European and Japanese cars, including Infiniti’s M and FX benefit from, but Infiniti is intent on boosting the technology to prevent lane departure from happening altogether. The new Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) system functions just like LDW, however, if the driver does not pay attention to the warnings, the car’s stability control system will gently apply the brakes individually in order to bring the car back on course.

The next new feature has less to do with high-speed driving and cruising, and more to do with parking and maneuvering. Even though the EX is a smaller sized utility vehicle, its high bumpers and profile aren’t the best for visibility. Infiniti is getting around this problem with the new Around View Monitor system,which uses small cameras mounted at the front, side and back of the car to give an all-round view of the surrounding area. While we love the fact that more and more manufacturers are installing reverse cameras, having them mounted all around is sure to make parking that much easier. Both of these features are going to be adapted to other Infiniti models in the near future.

Infiniti didn’t provide any particulars as to what the EX Concept is powered by except that it uses a V6 engine and a five-speed automatic, plus an all-wheel drive system. Given we know plenty about the new G from the debut of the G37 (which also took place at NYIAS), not to mention the rest of the production Infiniti range, it’ll be safe to assume that the powertrain will be identical to either the G35 Sedan or G37 Coupe (we’re hedging our bets on the 3.5-liter V6), while the all-wheel drive system will most likely be based around the ATTESA system from the G35x. We think that it would be logical for Infiniti to offer both an all-wheel drive model as well asa rear- wheel drive version when it hits the streets, in order to capitalize on the FM’s solid dynamics, not to mention active rear-wheel steering, a feature that would be a class exclusive. Although the EX Concept is really about vehicle design and displaying new technologies, if a car has a drivetrain that’s as good as this, there’s no harm in flaunting it, especially if it has the potential to knock other competitors out of the ring in power and performance.

Besides some of the concept elements of the interior and the LCG roof system, what’s being displayed at New York is by and large what’s going to be headed to dealerships when the car arrives this fall. We’re excited to see that a large number of automakers, including Infiniti rivals Volkswagen and Volvo, are trying as quickly as they can to offer downsized SUVs that are more fuel efficient and more manageable. By keeping the driver in mind in all areas of design, the EX should have no trouble conquesting sales in this rapidly expanding sector.