FX50 Replacement: GT-R Drivetrain

OhThatGuy

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2017 Q50 Red Sport with MRR M600 wheels
It seems like a no-brainer and perfect progression to borrow the engine and transmission from the GT-R for the FX50's replacement. It wouldn't cannibalize GT-R sales at all since the vehicles wouldn't be cross-shopped by many folks. It could improve gas mileage and performance. Any idea how hard it would be for the Infiniti folks to get that borrowed from their sister company? Any estimates on how it would perform with that drive train assuming the weight doesn't change much?

2012 FX50 390HP 1/4 Mile 13.6@104 MPH

2014 GT-R 545HP 463 lb.-ft. torque 11.1@124 MPH

2014(?) QX70 545HP 463 lb.-ft. torque 12.3@118 MPH?
 
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It makes absolutely no sense from a sales point of view.

I also believe the FX chassis is not really made to work with a gtr drivetrain.

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By the way the QX70 will have the same drivetrain and everything. The QX70 is not a redesign. Only different thing is the name change for marketing reasons.
 
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I think it would be a way more enticing vehicle in the eyes of a lot of folks. It would elevate their top of the line performance crossover to the realm of the Cayenne Turbo, MB ML AMG63, BMW X6M/X5M, etc. And since the drivetrain is already in production, they wouldn't absorb the cost of developing a new powertrain. They could produce the redesigned model on a Nissan chassis that would accommodate the GT-R's underpinnings. I think people would go nuts for that package.
 
If you think about it, it would take away from the sales. Since it would be cheaper (if priced as the FX50), give greater utility and all at the same time have the beloved GT-R drivetrain. It wouldn't be smart in terms of a sales, like said by Aaron. But man imagine an FX with the GT-R drivetrain!!
 
I would love to see Infiniti make an FX with a gtr engine in it
 
I would love to see one too. But from what I have read from the new CEO's comments, there will only be one car with gtr drivetrain in the new Infiniti lineup, and that will be their flagship sedan, the Q70 ( the M). I would totally buy an FX-gtr if it prices like gtr.
 
It makes absolutely no sense from a sales point of view.

I also believe the FX chassis is not really made to work with a gtr drivetrain.

---------- Post added at 11:18 PM ---------- Previous post was at 11:09 PM ----------

By the way the QX70 will have the same drivetrain and everything. The QX70 is not a redesign. Only different thing is the name change for marketing reasons.

Exactly and it would not be priced the same. The GT-R engine is built by hand, Nissan will not put a hand built engine in a very low volume SUV, not to mention the transmission is in the rear with dual driveshafts. By the time it is said and done, you're looking at $150k+ which is not what the brand is looking to do. I guess they could always change from the engine back but I think the handbuilt aspect totally negates any aspirations of it. Next logical step for the platform is possibly the 5.6L engine from the M56/QX56 (which can be supercharged) or if they go the way of forced induction they could do something with the 3.7L V6.
 
I would love to see one too. But from what I have read from the new CEO's comments, there will only be one car with gtr drivetrain in the new Infiniti lineup, and that will be their flagship sedan, the Q70 ( the M). I would totally buy an FX-gtr if it prices like gtr.

Well even on the Q70 (formerly "M") that's pretty exciting news for Infiniti. If it does end up happening.
The marriage of true Luxury with true performance. Quite honestly, I would rather have a GTR drivetrain in a M rather than FX.
I think sometimes we forget we are driving an "SUV".
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Infiniti-New-Naming-Scheme-for-US-623x389.jpg



Model Naming structure is quite interesting to say the least.
Seems like Infiniti is moving away from a bigger engine trend, thus not having to
note it in model names anymore. I guess the target now is more efficient smaller engines.
 
Such a nice dream to have.. Wouldnt like to wake up from it .. But it would never happened unfortunately.. I know people are saying that putting such a idea together would cost tons of money.. But seriously there other SUVs out there for about that projected price or even more.. A FX with a GTR drivetrain would be a unstoppable SUV not many IF any would be able to keep up or even match it's performance.. That is IF they go all out once they decided to put it together.... Lol
 
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I thought the M was geting a turbo 3.0l v6 with 500 something horsepower, hence the size out of name move?
 
It looks like an FX with the GT-R drivetrain would actually be within 700 lbs. of the GT-R's weight so a 1/4 mile performance of 12.0 @ 120 MPH seems doable. Let's write some letters and get a campaign underway.
 
If you haven't seen it already, do a search on YouTube of the making of the Juke-R. Pretty much the same things would need to happen with the FX. If I remember correctly Nissan did produce about 7 or 8 of them for some sheiks in the middle east at a cost of near $300k.
 
Every SUV you listed is ~$100K or more (way more in some cases). I don't think Infiniti has a chance in hell of selling a $100K SUV. The sales numbers for FX's in general aren't that great. So for them to build a halo car on such a low volume product doesn't make sense. They'd be better off doing it on an M or something.

Not that I wouldn't be interested in one. In a few years when I replace the FX, I'd like to do it with an X5M.

I think it would be a way more enticing vehicle in the eyes of a lot of folks. It would elevate their top of the line performance crossover to the realm of the Cayenne Turbo, MB ML AMG63, BMW X6M/X5M, etc. And since the drivetrain is already in production, they wouldn't absorb the cost of developing a new powertrain. They could produce the redesigned model on a Nissan chassis that would accommodate the GT-R's underpinnings. I think people would go nuts for that package.
 
Every SUV you listed is ~$100K or more (way more in some cases). I don't think Infiniti has a chance in hell of selling a $100K SUV. The sales numbers for FX's in general aren't that great. So for them to build a halo car on such a low volume product doesn't make sense. They'd be better off doing it on an M or something.

Not that I wouldn't be interested in one. In a few years when I replace the FX, I'd like to do it with an X5M.

You know the FX50s Vettel edition had a limited run of 150, sold for $155,000, and is completely sold out. This edition brought the hp up to 414. I would expect a FX- GTR would fetch closer to $200,000-$300,000 range especially when the Juke -R sold for $300,000. The Juke needed to be completely redone because it didn't have the room to fit the engine or drivetrain. The FX has the room resulting in supposedly lower labor costs.

Sent from my DNA
 
I realize that, but a special edition is just that and selling 150 units is different than putting a souped up GTR FX on the lot with a $150K sticker. Infiniti sold a total of 11-12K FX's in the US last year I think. BMW sold close to 40K X5's. Out of those 40K units, maybe 1000 were X5M's? So realistically, Infiniti would move a few hundred FX's w/ GTR drivetrains. If Infiniti were to expand their IPL idea to truly try and compete against AMG Mercedes, M BMW's, and S/RS Audi's, I could see them maybe doing this. But I don't think they would entirely replace the FX50 w/ a GTR FX. That makes very little sense. It's one thing to blow up a $20K GTR tranny in a GTR (cost of doing business), but if you blow up a $20K GTR tranny in an FX, people will whine and complain forever. I wouldn't think Infiniti wants any of that.
 
Everyone's dream would be to have a gtr engine in a fx but there is too much research and design needed to make it happen. Throwing in the v6 turbo gtr engine in a heavy suv is asking for trouble. By the time they do major weight reduction, suspension work, aerodynamics, your gonna be looking at more then 150k for a suv. They rather focus their funds and reputation as a safe and classy.
 
They should put the gtr motor in the titan!

Dodge viper SRT10> Dodge SRT10
ford boss 302> Ford Raptor
Ford cobra> Ford Lightning
Nissan GTR> Nissan Titan-R AWD
 
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