バイオニック・チーターは1/64スケールで生き続ける――象徴的なインフィニティQX70Sを称える

The Birth of the Bionic Cheetah

If you are a long-time follower of JDM luxury and forgotten performance crossovers, the name Infiniti FX will immediately spark a feeling. Later renamed QX70, and offered in this sharp Sport trim we know as QX70S, this machine created a whole new segment when it first arrived. Long before coupe-SUVs became a mainstream trend, Infiniti dared to build a tall, practical crossover wrapped in the sleek, hunched silhouette of a sports coupe. Enthusiasts gave it the beloved nickname: the Bionic Cheetah, and it is easy to see why.

Beneath that dramatic bodywork sits Nissan’s legendary FM rear-wheel-drive platform, the same foundation that underpinned fan favourites including the G37 and the 370Z. Under the hood beats the soulful VQ37VHR naturally aspirated V6, famous for its smooth power delivery, eager high-revving nature and that unforgettable engine note. The QX70S package turned up the aggression further: gloss black badging, darkened side gill vents, black side mirrors, a set of large 21-inch sport wheels and unique interior sport trim. This was not just a regular luxury family SUV; it was a driver-focused, stylish oddball that refused to follow the crowd.

Sadly, production of the FX / QX70 family came to an end back in 2017, and Infiniti has never launched a true direct replacement. The spirit of the Bionic Cheetah sat dormant for years for diecast collectors. While real-world clean QX70S examples slowly climb in appreciation among overseas enthusiasts, miniature representations have been extremely scarce. For a very long time, anyone wanting this car on their display shelf faced almost no accessible ready-made diecast options. Custom resin replicas existed, yes, but they often came with steep price tags, long lead times and the risks that come with small-run hand-built pieces.

What Paudi Got Right — and Honest Expectations

That is why this 1:64 QX70S from Paudi Model feels like such a meaningful release for our community. Paudi has captured the core character of the QX70S very faithfully. Look closely, and you will spot all the signature design cues that define the car: those famous functional-style gill vents positioned behind the front wheels, the heavily raked fastback roofline that flows down into the integrated rear spoiler, the muscular front fenders, the low, planted stance and the correct multi-spoke black sport wheels exclusive to the S package. The shape does not fall into the common trap of generic SUV proportions that many budget models suffer from. It reads unmistakably as the Bionic Cheetah.

It is important to set honest expectations, as every seasoned diecast collector understands. This Paudi release is a sealed non-opening model. There are no opening doors, hood or tailgate. Like nearly all mass-produced 1:64 scale castings, minor batch-to-batch variation can appear: tiny paint specks, slight print alignment differences on emblems or subtle seam lines. These are not dealbreakers for most hobbyists who prioritise accurate shape and good presentation over full opening features. For a car this rare in miniature form, the trade-off is easy to accept.

Why This Casting Matters for Your Collection

This little model fills a very noticeable gap in JDM-focused collections. Many of us build shelf groups around Nissan FM-platform vehicles: pairing G37 sedans and coupes, 370Zs, Skyline variants and related Infiniti performance models. Before this Paudi release, the QX70S was the missing piece. It is not a flashy hypercar, not a widely celebrated classic. It is a niche, underrated piece of 2010s Japanese automotive history, a bold experiment from an era when naturally aspirated V6 engines still had a place in premium crossovers.

I have enjoyed spending time shooting this one from all my favourite angles. The best view is always the three-quarter low side shot, where that cheetah-like crouched stance and the sweep of the fastback roofline shine brightest. It works beautifully both on its own as a standalone showcase piece, or lined up alongside other FM-platform stablemates to tell the bigger story of that special Nissan chassis family.

For anyone new to the FX / QX70 story: do not overlook this one just because coupe crossovers feel commonplace today. This was the originator, the trailblazer. If you collect discontinued Japanese premium performance vehicles, cars with distinct polarising styling, or rare subjects that most diecast brands ignore, this Paudi QX70S deserves your attention.

Now I am curious to hear from the rest of the Paudi collector community here. Are you a long-time FX/QX70 fan who has hunted for a suitable miniature for years? Or is this casting your first introduction to the Bionic Cheetah? Do you also group your FM-platform models together on your display? Drop your thoughts, photos and your own collection stories in the comments below.