It’s been a long, slow tease, with plenty of cropped photos, but today, Infiniti unveiled the JX Concept at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance event in Monterey, California.
Even though Infiniti calls it a concept, what you see here is more or less what you’ll get when the production version of the JX makes the trip to the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show.
On the outside, the JX shares several design cues with the firm’s Essence concept such as the headlamp and grille design as well as the crescent-cut D-pillar, but overall, Infiniti’s foray into the 7-seater crossover segment won’t win any awards for its looks.
We only get a glimpse of the interior, but the swoopy exterior styling is continued inside. The JX features three rows of seats that can accommodate a total of seven passengers.
“With the JX, you will even be able to leave a child seat latched to the 2nd row while getting in or out of the 3rd row – just one example of the vehicle’s inspired flexibility and versatility,” ,” explained Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “The 3rd row isn’t the typical penalty box either, with adult-sized room for all occupants and five-and-a-half inches of 2nd row forward-back adjustability.”
Infiniti promises an array of technologies and features ranging from the Blind Spot and Backup Collision Intervention systems, to a 14-speaker Bose Studio Surround sound system with Waveguide bass technology and an advanced Infiniti Connection Telematics systems.
Power for the new JX comes courtesy of a V6 engine (Infiniti didn’t offer any additional details, but the 3.7-liter V6 sounds like a prime candidate), matched to what the company calls “sports tuned” continuously variable transmission that mimics “a step transmission when the Sport mode of the Infiniti drive selector is engaged”. Buyers will be able to choose between all-wheel or front-wheel drive versions.
Infiniti said additional information regarding the drivetrain and other systems will be provided at the debut of the production version in LA in November 2011.
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