We review the Infiniti FX37 from price to economy and all its features
NO firm can say their car is fit for a family until the Dorans have run the rule. Jon, Sheila, Jamie,20, and Christie, 18, and Alfie the labrador take no prisoners ...
NAMES are vitally important. Get it right and loads of people will talk about it.
Get it wrong and even more people scoff. We have a situation at the moment where there are Emmas at every turn. Jamie and Christie both know Emmas. We know Emmas. It seems everyone we meet in shops and pubs is called Emma.
We spent ages before we decided on calling the dog Murphy. We tried involving the kids, but they were much younger and came up with wacky suggestions that had more to do with what they were eating or doing at the time than a relevant name for the poor mutt.
Car firms have similar problems. They have attempted to ease their plight by just using numbers. I am not a fan of a car that is just a number.
But I have a car that is a proper word that looks as if it is spelt wrong and a model that is a number.
So the start did not bode well for the Infiniti FX37.
It got worse as Jamie and Christie and their Emmas launched into a catalogue of Toy Story gags. "What a Buzz," "It's Lightyears ahead of the rest" ... you get the gist.
But the car has the ability and looks to make an impact on its own. The luxury Nissan brand wants to take on the German giants and the FX37 is a great start.
Three models are available, the £42,600 FX37 GT and £44,600 FX37 S — both with a 3.7-litre V6 engine and the £53,600 5-litre V8 FX50 S. The FX37 defies you not to take notice. It has macho curves and bulging muscles and the grille is huge. But it all works.
Inside is the only place where you think twice. It is good without being top-class.
But that is no real loss if you want impact without the wallet-bashing. There is tons of room. It fits five Emmas with ease, and allows Murphy to roam in the back — although you do have to lift him in.
The 3.7-litre V6 petrol delivers 0-62mph in 6.8 seconds and goes up to 149mph, but I am not sure why you want to go that fast in such a huge beast.
That said, it is very nimble round the bends. The extensive use of aluminium means it is a lean machine so it feels composed on corners. And you have exclusivity. Now that is a Buzz.
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NO car has truly proved its worth until it has met the Doran family — Jon, Sheila, Jamie, 16, Christie, 15, and Murphy, the golden retriever. No motor will ever be the same again ...