IF any model epitomises the individuality of the Infiniti brand its is the FX Crossover,
This vehicle is like nothing else on the road. It looks like a coupe that has been on a weight-lifting course and has a massive bonnet.
This is power dressing par excellence and when out and about I noticed a succession of heads turning and mouthing "What's that?"
For those not familiar with the brand, Infiniti is the luxury arm of Nissan, as Lexus is to Toyota, and like Lexus, Infiniti set out from the start to be a trendsetter and not a follower.
It silences once and for all those critics who slammed the Corporation in years past for being unable to create a successful luxury design.
In Britain the FX comes with a choice of three high performance engines: V6 diesel, V6 petrol and V8 petrol in four exceptionally well equipped grades.
It lays claim to being the sports car among luxury crossovers, but maybe the new Range Rover Sport would argue with that.
But it is certainly the the most dynamic looking offering in its class. It provides some inspired driving and it is understandably Infiniti's top seller in the UK.
It is packed with the latest technology, and manages to put over its claim as a modern classic in a very positive way.
Some of the latest features added to the range include power tailgate and award-winning Lane Departure Prevention - to make a very polished product.
There is even the availability of Rear Active Steering (RAS) among a long list of handling-oriented features
This car was an FX30d, a 3.0-litre V6 diesel with some impressive performance stats with 132mph on tap and a zero to 60mph sprint of 8.3 seconds.
Like every FX it was equipped with Infiniti's intelligent torque-sensing all-wheel drive system as well as a seven-speed adaptive shift automatic transmission with solid magnesium gearshift paddles on the steering wheel.
Just as much a high performance machine as any petrol-powered Infiniti, the FX30d's massive 550Nm of torque immediately put it in the front rank of diesel-engined crossovers.
Reflecting the brand's uniquely different take on the luxury car market, Infiniti states that owners are all individuals, successful free-thinkers who are neither hidebound by the past nor concepts of badge snobbery. They are young by class standards (average age is 48), invariably own a business and more than 90% of them have traded up from other premium brands, most commonly BMW followed by Audi, Mercedes and Porsche.
And FX owners have a massive rating of satisfaction in the brand which is understandable because of Nissan's continuing commitment to high quality and reliablility.
The powerful poise of this car was crowned by massive 21-inch wheels, privacy glass and polished roof rails. On top of that, all Infinitis also feature 'healing' paint that self repairs small scratches.
Altogether a very refreshing change in the heady heights of luxury 4x4s.