Track Tested: 2009 Infiniti FX35

You may not have noticed, but the Infiniti FX was redesigned for 2009. It still has all that "bionic cheetah" stuff baked into it, but it also has a rather large gaping mouth that does little to help its cause. Luckily, Infiniti kept it stocked with horsepower and massive wheels and tires to make up for its odd styling.

We've had plenty of seat time in our long-term Infiniti FX50 with the big 5.0-liter V8, but the V6-powered FX35 is the volume seller. Well, that is if you can consider sales of 12,079 FX35s in 2008 "volume". It looks good on paper though with over 300-horsepower, all-wheel drive and big sticky tires, so we were interested in just how well it would stack up at the test track. Results after the jump.

Vehicle: 2009 Infiniti FX35
Odometer: N/A
Date: 11/11/08
Driver: Chris Walton

Specifications:

Drive Type: all wheel drive
Transmission Type: 7-speed Automatic
Engine Type: V6
Displacement (cc / cu-in): 3497cc (213 cu-in)
Redline (rpm): 7,500
Horsepower (hp @ rpm): 303 @ 6500
Torque (lb-ft @ rpm): 262 @ 4800
Brake Type (front): ventilated disc
Brake Type (rear): ventilated disc
Steering System: speed-proportional power steering
Suspension Type (front): double wishbone
Suspension Type (rear): multi-link
Tire Size (front): 265/60R18
Tire Size (rear):  265/60R18
Tire Brand: Bridgestone
Tire Model: Potenza RE92
Tire Type: performance
Wheel Size: 18 X 8.0 front - 18 X 8.0 rear
Wheel Material (front/rear): alloy
As tested Curb Weight (lb): 4,296

Test Results:

0 - 30 (sec): 2.5
0 - 45 (sec): 4.3
0 - 60 (sec): 6.6
0 - 75 (sec): 9.5
1/4 Mile (sec @ mph): 14.8 @ 94.0 mph
0-60 with 1-ft Rollout (sec): 6.4
30 - 0 (ft): 29
60 - 0 (ft): 114
Braking Rating: Very Good
Slalom (mph): 62.8
Skid Pad Lateral acceleration (g): .82
Handling Rating: Good
Db @ Idle: 43.3
Db @ Full Throttle: 75.3
Db @ 70 mph Cruise: 68.6

Acceleration Comments:    A bit of a bogger outta the gate, but crisp shifts and a revvy engine wake the FX35 up for an impressive run overall.

Braking Comments: Unlike our previous FX50 test vehicle, this FX35 showed no signs of brake fade during or brake tests or acceleration tests. Minimal dive and dead straight stops from first to last. Moderate to firm pedal effort required.

Handling Comments: Difficult to maintain a precise circle around the skidpad - required continual steering and/or throttle adjustment. Flexing tires, all-wheel drive and a touchy throttle make it so. As with the skidpad, the FX35 was difficult to predict in the slalom. Each cone was its own event because it was impossible to find a natural rhythm due to steering delay/gain, stiff springs and soft rebound damping. Get the first cone wrong and the whole run was ruined. VDC does not truly turn off.