Shaking up the luxury crossover world.
In the past decade the automotive world has seen the crossover segment rapidly expand and grow. Crossovers offer a better balance of cargo space and fuel efficiency compared to thirsty SUVs. With fuel prices continuing to rise, the outlook for the crossover SUV looks bright. Infiniti wants a piece of the premium pie and has unveiled their innovative JX Concept at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance as part of their plan to gain sales.
The new seven-passenger, three-row Infiniti JX concept gives customers a larger interior space, flexibility, and safety in a package not yet seen on the luxury crossover market. “The three-row luxury crossover segment is one of the fastest growing among all luxury vehicle segments, providing a huge opportunity for Infiniti,” explained Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “And like every segment Infiniti enters, we plan to shake up the status quo – with a vehicle that is guaranteed to instantly become the new benchmark for style, hospitality, roominess, advanced telematics and safety technologies.”
One of the goals for the Infiniti JX Concept was to create an interior space that was flexible and offered unrivaled space. The third row seat can be easily accessed due to the new sliding and tilt functions of the second row. “With the JX, you will even be able to leave a child seat latched to the 2nd row while getting in or out of the 3rd row – just one example of the vehicle’s inspired flexibility and versatility,” added Poore. “The 3rd row isn’t the typical penalty box either, with adult-sized room for all occupants and five-and-a-half inches of 2nd row forward-back adjustability.”
The Infiniti JX Concept is still a true Infiniti model and shows that through the use of innovative new technology. A few of the technological safety goodies include the Blind Spot and Backup Collision Intervention systems. While the Infiniti JX is in reverse, sensors help detect obstacles behind the crossover and intervene by applying the brakes to prevent a collision if necessary. In terms of convenience, the new Infiniti Personal Assistant will come standard. The feature is offered free of charge and gives drivers their own team of personal assistants on call 24/7.
As with all Infiniti models, engineers strived to give the JX sporty driving characteristics. Initially the Infiniti JX will be offered with a potent V-6 driving either the front two wheels or all four through a sport-tuned CVT transmission. In “Sport” mode, the continuously variable transmission will act like a step transmission for a more driver-oriented feel.
“As a premium crossover with a real 3rd row – along with Infiniti levels of hospitality and driving pleasure, the new JX is another breakthrough design from the brand that has been breaking new ground for more than 20 years,” said Infiniti Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. “We will continue to challenge conventional thinking.”
The Infiniti JX Concept was unveiled at the 2011 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. The official specifications and pricing will be released at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. The Infiniti JX is scheduled to go on sale in the spring of 2012.
Infiniti JX Concept Gallery
[Source: Infiniti]
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