June 8, 2012 at 5:47pm by Alexander Stoklosa
Infiniti has announced a few changes to its lineup for 2013, namely for the G sedan and the EX and FX crossovers. The entry-level G25 sedan will be dropped from the G line, leaving behind only the G37. As for the EX and FX, the current models’ 3.5-liter V-6 engines—the EX’s only powertrain and the FX’s base setup—are being replaced by Infiniti’s more powerful 3.7-liter six. The engine swap also brings a name change for both SUVs, from EX35 to EX37 and FX35 to FX37.
So Long, G25
The G25 was introduced for 2011 and came only as a sedan powered by a 218-hp, 2.5-liter V-6. It also boasted a shorter options list and fewer standard features. However, the mixture of a premium nameplate with an absence of key features such as navigation and a manual transmission complicated the G25’s raison d’etre. Combine those demerits with the fact that the G25 isn’t substantially cheaper than the G37—despite the power and features deficits—and sales-wise, you get something of an odd duck.
- Comparison Test: 2012 Infiniti G25 vs. BMW 328i, Audi A4 2.0T, Mercedes-Benz C250 Sport, Volvo S60 T6 AWD
- Instrumented Test: 2011 Infiniti G25 / G25x
- Instrumented Test: 2008 Infiniti EX35 AWD Journey
Infiniti’s position on the G25’s death is that the model is being discontinued to streamline the G lineup as the current generation nears the end of its life. The 2013 G37 hits dealerships in September, but the G25 will soldier on through December of this year before going away for good.
2012 Infiniti FX35
2013 EX37 and FX37
Infiniti’s 3.7-liter V-6—an evolution of the 3.5-liter version in the EX35 and FX35—has been around since the current-generation G37 and M37 models were introduced. Only now, however, are they being installed under the hoods of the EX and FX crossovers. The new 3.7-liter makes 325 hp, a full 28 more than the outgoing 3.5-liter six in both the EX and FX. Like the 3.5-liter it replaces, the 3.7 will serve as the EX’s only powerplant; in the FX, it takes over for base-engine duties. (The top-dog FX50 model comes with a 5.0-liter V-8.)
The 2013 FX37 goes on sale in July, followed by the EX37 in August. No pricing information is available yet, but we’re told prices should mirror those of the 2012s. For reference, the 2012 EX35 starts at $36,750 and the FX35 costs $44,650.
Tags: Infiniti, Infiniti EX, Infiniti EX37, Infiniti FX, Infiniti FX37, Infiniti G25 |