On the eve of Infiniti’s launch in Europe, the upmarket Nissan brand has presented the second-generation Infiniti FX SUV powered by an all-new 5.0L V8 engine. Debuting in flagship FX50 form, the new V8 develops a peak output of 390hp and 500Nm of torque and is mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission and ATTESA-E TS intelligent AWD system.

Compared with the previous model, the new 2009 version features a 35mm longer wheelbase and a 50mm wider track. The SUV also gets a revised suspension set-up with active damping control and rear active steering, and being based on Nissan’s FM platform the new FX also benefits from a 54-46 split weight distribution - not bad for a V8 SUV.

Additional development was undertaken to reduce weight and enhance body strength. For example, the FX’s aluminum front and rear door panels, which have the same strength and stiffness of conventional steel doors, are 20 kilograms lighter all up than the previous model. In fact, the FX50’s body weighs 90kg less than its predecessor but is 1.6 times more resistant to twisting and 3.4 times more resistant to bending.

Standard features of the car include 21in alloy wheels shod with 265mm performance tires, fog lamps and Bi-Xenon headlights, a DVD based navigation system, Around View Monitor parking aid, self-healing scratch resistant paint, and a Bose stereo.

The new Infiniti FX50 will be available in North America in June and will reach European showrooms by October. The V8 model will be joined by a V6 version, likely to be Nissan’s new 3.7L unit from the Infiniti G37 and EX37 models, later in the year.

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