2008 Infiniti EX35 Preview
A performance coupe with crossover body language?

by Marty Padgett | Link to Original Article @ TCC | (2007-07-18)

Infiniti's EX crossover concept, which made its debut at this year's New York auto show, will go on sale in production trim in December.

Infiniti promises the EX's shape belies a "performance coupe soul," and promises an interior that's both "indulgent and inspiring."

The new crossover is built off the FM rear-drive platform of the Nissan Z and Infiniti M, FX, G37 models. High levels of handling precision and balance are claimed for the SUV. In concept form, the EX's wheelbase measured in at 112.0 inches for a small turning radius, while the rear multi-link suspension utilizes a low shock absorber layout to enhance cargo area utility. The concept rode on 19-inch seven-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/55R19 tires. A V-6 engine-likely the 306-hp version of Nissan's 3.5-liter V-6-is coupled to a five-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.

When it goes on sale at the end of the year, the EX may be the first vehicle to sport two new technologies aimed at reducing accidents. The first, an Around View Monitor, use small front, side and rear- mounted cameras to project an all-around view of potential objects on every side of the vehicle - helping reduce blind spots when parking.

The Lane Departure Prevention system builds on the Lane Departure Warning (LDW) system that is currently available on the Infiniti FX and M. Rather than just use an audible/visual warning system to alert the driver of unintentional vehicle movement outside the designated lane, the LDP uses the vehicle's Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) system to help assist the driver in maintaining lane position if the vehicle starts to drift outside the lane.

Both Lane Departure Prevention and the LDW systems use a small camera installed behind the windshield to detect lane markers in front of the vehicle and calculate its position relative to lane markers and warn the driver of lane drift (pending lane change without use of the turn signal) with a visual display and audible buzzer. If the driver does not return the vehicle in the direction of the center of the travel lane, the LDP system assists the driver by using gentle control (generating part of the necessary yaw movement), using the VDC's brake actuator to control the brake pressure of each individual wheel to generate the intended movement.

I, for one, welcome our new Infiniti overlords.

Why does this feature make me think the word 'Lawsuit' ?

Is it perhaps because of this?

The winner, however, was Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City who bought a new Winnebago Motor Home. While driving home on the freeway he engaged the Cruise Control and then left the driver's seat to go back in to the motor home to make a cup of coffee... He received $1,750,000 plus a new motor home ... and an addendum in the Winnebago owner's manual advising owners not to leave the wheel after engaging Cruise Control.

http://www.simpletoremember.com/what/stellaawards.htm