In truth, we’re still a little befuddled by the whole SUV-as-sports-car notion, and we have been since the dawn of the breed, which we trace back to the GMC Typhoon. If you want a sports car, well, why not start with a car instead of a truck?

Still, this genre has flourished since the BMW X5 proved the mass-market appeal of these high-powered beasts, and the specter of $4 gas seems to be the only thing working against them in the future. In the meantime, the 2009 Infiniti FX50 is here to make its case as one of the sportiest of sport-utility vehicles.

The FX line first entered the world as a concept car in 2001, with a design brief from Infiniti that described it as a “Bionic Cheetah.†That’s not a phrase that immediately came to mind when we saw the production... // Car and Driver

The 2009 Infiniti FX is available in three models including the FX50 all-wheel drive (AWD) with a new 390HP 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine, and the FX35 AWD and FX35 rear-wheel drive (RWD) with a 303HP 24-valve DOHC 3.5-liter V6.

Each engine is paired to a new, standard seven-speed automatic transmission featuring adaptive shift control and available in solid magnesium paddle shifters.

The manufacturer's suggested retail price is $40,950... // Automotive Business Review

Winding Road Magazine (Enlarge photo)

Infiniti has announced that the 2009 Infiniti FX luxury crossover SUV will be available in three different models. The first, the FX50 AWD, will feature a 390 horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V-8 engine equipped with Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL). Its price will be based at a solid $56,700.

The FX35 AWD and RX 35 RWD on the other hand, will come with a 303 horsepower 24-valve DOHC 3.5-liter V-6. Base prices for the FX35 are $42,350 for the all-wheel-drive model, while the rear-drive model will run a more humble $40,950. All come with a 7-speed automatic transmission equipped with what Infiniti calls Adaptive Shift Control. Solid magnesium paddle shifters are also available.

(Click on the thumbnails below to explore a gallery of FX35 and FX50 images or through the jump to read... // Winding Road Magazine

Infiniti 's cranked up the content levels for the new 2009 FX sport-utility - and accordingly, it's cranked up the pricing. A base rear-drive 2009 FX35 stickers at $40,950 - nearly $2900 more than the outgoing model.

Prices for the other models have also shot upwards; the FX35 AWD now retails for $42,350, a $2800 jump. The new all-wheel drive FX50 - surpassing the outgoing FX45 model with a new 5.0-liter V-8 - starts at a whopping $56,700, nearly $6600 more than the FX45 and just underneath the entry price for a Porsche Cayenne S ($57,900).

Granted, that price does get you a top-end FX with virtually no options. In fact, the only add-ons for... // Automobile Magazine

NASHVILLE, Tenn., June 6 TN-Nissan-Infiniti

NASHVILLE, Tenn. , June 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Infiniti today announced pricing on the all-new 2009 Infiniti FX luxury crossover SUV, which goes on sale June 24 at Infiniti retailers in the United States and Canada . The all-new FX is a showcase of Infiniti's design and technology leadership, offering exceptional levels of power, refinement, versatility and driving exhilaration.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/INFINITIBADGELOGO )

The 2009 Infiniti FX is available in three models: FX50 AWD with a new 390-horsepower 5.0-liter 32-valve DOHC V8 engine Variable Valve Event & Lift (VVEL), and the FX35 AWD and FX35 RWD with a 303-horsepower 24-valve DOHC 3.5- liter V6. Each engine is paired with a new, standard... // Earthtimes