The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com · OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, November 23, 2011 · 20 Infiniti f set to add new family f crossover to the fleet f Story and photos by Lorne Drury Metroland Media Carguide Magazine LOS ANGELES: With its EX, FX and QX crossover and sport utility vehicles, you would think that Infiniti had its bases pretty well covered. But one thing missing in the lineup was a seven-passenger luxury family hauler. Thus, the birth of the new JX crossover, set to launch next spring as a 2013 model with roomy three-row seating and all the technology features and more that one would expect from an Infiniti. The JX will be built on Nissan's D platform, also used on the current-generation Maxima, Altima and Quest. Infiniti pulled the wraps off the new family crossover at the Los Angeles Auto Show. U.S. prices were announced, but Canadians will have to wait until next spring to get our pricing. "The all-new Infiniti JX embraces family customers in a way no luxury crossover has done before-- recognizing their need to grow up, but without growing old," said Wendy Durward, director, Infiniti Canada. This will be the first Infiniti built in North America, coming out of the Smyrna, Tenn. plant. Canadians will get one well-equipped model, featuring all-wheel drive, a 3.5-litre 24-valve DOHC aluminum-alloy V6 and the first-ever continuously variable transmission (CVT) in an Infiniti. CVTs are used across the Nissan lineup because they are more fuel efficient, but this is the first time an Infiniti hasn't featured a conventional automatic. The CVT can mimic a step transmission when the Sport mode of t e Infiniti the t drive d ve selector se ecto is s engaged. e gaged. third-row legroom than the Cadillac Escalade. Leather upholstery with heated front (and available heated second row) seats is standard. The driver's seat has an eight-way power adjustment with six-way power seats for the front-seat passenger. The second row seats have a 60/40 split. For long family trips, eight cupholders and six bottle holders are sure to come in handy. Infiniti is introducing a new piece of f technology in the JX called Backup Collision Intervention. In short, when the transmission is in reverse, the system will help the driver detect crossing vehicles and pedestrians behind the vehicle. If the driver fails to react, the system automatically brakes to avoid a collision. This new feature is in addition to several other Infiniti techno goodies that are standard or available such as connection telematics system with Google Calendar, around-view monitor with moving object detection, land departure warning system and lane departure prevention, blind spot intervention, intelligent cruise control, distance control assist and a 15-speaker Bose Cabin Surround sound system. Suspension is independent struts with stabilizer bar up front and a multi-link rear set up with stabilizer bar. Steering is speed-sensitive and the JX features fourwheel disc brakes with ABS. Standard are 18-inch five-spoke aluminum alloy wheels, with 20-inch wheels available as part of a Deluxe Touring Package. Further details about the JX will be released next spring at the Montreal Auto Show. The JX will bow as a seven-passenger luxury crossover next spring as a 2013 model. Further details, including pricing, will be released at the Montreal Auto Show in January. The 3.5-litre engine is rated at 265 hp and 248 lb/ft of torque. Fuel economy is estimated at 10.4L/100 km highway, 13.8L/100 km city and 12.4L/100 km combined. According to Alfonso Albaisa, vice-president design Nissan Americas, the JX will incorporate design language first introduced in the highly acclaimed Essence concept. An example is the `crescent cut' feature built into the D-pillar. This will be an element of future Infiniti designs, said Albaisa during an interview at the Nissan Design America studio, just outside San Diego. With modern, exterior styling including a bold front chrome double-arch signature Infiniti grille g and double-wave hood, , the JX is meant to stand out in a crowd. Inside the cabin, attention to detail also sets this new crossover SUV apart from the competition. A lot more soft-touch "rich-feel" natural materials were incorporated into the interior and the use of wood and aluminum accents help add to the feeling of luxury. The family-friendly interior means lots of legroom in all three rows and ample cargo room behind the 50/50 split folding third-row seats with recline feature. Innovative second-row seats slide forward with 5.5 inches of travel and flip up for ease of entry into the third row. Even child safety seats don't have to be removed with this slick design. Infiniti says y the JX will have more second and