Production FX45

Nissan has recently exercised a classic automotive fumble of designing a concept vehicle much too far-fetched to serve as a near-prototype for a production vehicle. The original FX45, although retaining the same plans to be built with Q45 parts as a crossover SUW (sports utility whatever), has visually mutated from a universally excitingly controversial vehicle of the future, to simple just a controversial vehicle. The "bulldog" appearance as many publications such as R&T place it, replaces the original confident angular design (note photos below for comparison). Perhaps power will be derived from the same recognizable IRL motor, but the appearance has seriously faltered to the questionable and biased category, losing its crossover ground. Final sales will obviously determine the FX45's place in the niche market, but we can all safely assume that Nissan's specialty Infiniti has lost its futuristic touches for a more practical (yet still decent) modern look.

Working FX45 concept:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/678466front.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/748652rear.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/283299int.jpg

Original FX45 concept:

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/278901old1.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/714890old2.jpg

http://files.automotiveforums.com/uploads/985871old3.jpg

peachy isn't it, the new concept...............


but the butt on the old looks better....

overall I like the new one....

What is my reasoning behind the original concept's benefits over the new?

The older concept follows the same design strategies involved in the very new G35--angular, refreshing, and bold. The newer model follows more in the tradition of the bulbous (and not to mention failing in sales) Q45 and I35. It's not to say that those cars aren't great (I love the Q to death) but not only did they not sell well, but Infiniti is desperately in need of some confidence boosting, and image restructuring. Now which of the FX45s can you picture better being piloted by wealthy yuppie folk down Rodeo Drive? The first attempt looks like a pressed bar of gold or platinum.

On other (more detailed) notes, the sloping roofline of the original allows the vehicle to be more of the crossover variety, while the simple and straight ceiling of the newer one simply forces it to look like a raised wagon. I really enjoyed the sport coupe-like C-pillar of the first, but the chunky pillar of the new one obviously belongs on the flanks of an SUV. And I have to agree with the original rear looking better; in fact I wouldn't have minded seeing that silhouette on the tail-end of the new Cayenne (but instead the Porsche looks a bit Volkswagonny, somewhat like a Jetta or last year's Passat with the block red taillamps).

I just hope you know what you are doing, Ghosn.

What an odd looking vehicle (both versions)... but I probably like the newer version better. Maybe "odd" or "controversial" is just what is needed to complete in this very crowded market?

I like the huge rims on the new version, but those probably wouldn't make it into production anyway.

To tell u the truth i dont like the car at all to me personally it looks likes a space ship or one of the jetsons cars with whelels or something overall i think the car in unbeatable in reliabiliti and overall power is unbeleavable on a scale of 1 to 10 i give it a 7.5:greenchai :monkeypis