Infiniti EX Concept - Auto Shows

The 2007 New York auto show presents the first-ever public viewing of the Infiniti EX concept, a roughly 90-percent-accurate look at the upcoming 2008 Infiniti EX35 crossover vehicle scheduled to make its debut sometime this fall. More of a ground hugger than the Acura RDX but by no means a station wagon, the EX uses a shorter version of Nissan/Infiniti's ubiquitous FM-platform and suggests that there are still more ways to skin an SUV.

Looking not a little but a lot like the Infiniti's "bionic cheetah" FX, only a couple sizes smaller, the EX concept shares its big brother's dramatic proportions, created by slim windows, exaggerated wheels, and a tall hood leading into a high beltline. Setting the EX apart—at least until the FX's replacement comes around to copy it—is its dipping-coke-bottle character line just above the door handles, as well as the complex interplay of surfaces around the mirrors. Quite cool.

The EX's all-glass roof adds light to the tight but beautifully sculpted interior, which boasts incredibly comfortable-looking seats and breathtaking materials. Features that we know will make it to production are the Around View Monitor and Lane Departure Prevention. The Around View Monitor system utilizes front, side, and rear-mounted cameras to help with the trivialities of parking; the Lane Departure Prevention system beefs up Infiniti's currently available Lane Departure Warning System by actively pulsing the brakes to alert the driver if he or she is drifting out of the lane.

We're pretty sure we won't like that latter feature, but we'll reserve judgment until we drive it later this year. Power will come from a derivative of the same 3.5-liter V-6 that produces 306 horsepower in the G35 sedan, mated to a five-speed automatic with manumatic control. All-wheel drive will be standard.