Nissan plans to launch its North American luxury division, Infiniti, throughout Europe over the next year or so. Rather than being rebadged versions of the Nissans we get in Britain, the Infiniti range holds a few very interesting models that are certain to sell well here at home. In Detroit, we took a close look at the FX SUV.

First impressions of the FX are favourable; this is an eye-catching design, similar in proportions to the Nissan Murano (the Infiniti is larger), but much better-looking thanks to sharper, jewel-like light design at the front and rear. The FX features a more upright grille, but the bonnet then manages to look sportier than the Murano's. Three new colours hit the FX range this year: Liquid Platinum, Autumn Copper (as on the car displayed at the show) and our favourite, Serengeti Sand.

Desert exploring connotations aside, the FX is not likely to be taken very far off-road. The entry level FX35 model comes with rear-wheel drive for instance. The same model (powered by the same excellent 3.5-litre V6 as found in the Nissan 350Z sportscar) can be had with a pretty advanced four-wheel drive system, though its usefulness may be constrained to helping the driver out in icy conditions.

The range-topping model is the FX45, complete with a rousing 4.5-litre V8 outputting 320bhp and an impressive 454Nm of torque. This SUV will embarrass many executive saloons in a straight line, and thanks to its fully independent suspension should be a capable machine in the corners too.

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