After the F1 season wrapped up in Sao Paulo this year, the man of the moment was Red Bull’s Sebastian Vettel, who easily clinched the driver’s championship ahead of the race. He’s been working with a big name behind Red Bull’s success, Infiniti (Nissan’s luxury division), to come up with a production model Infiniti FX; a performance version of the brand’s sporty crossover.
Although many top manufacturers have cars competing in Formula One (think Ferrari, Mercedes-Benz, Renault), Infiniti’s involvement is a little less hands-on, even though they’re one of the top sponsors behind this year’s title-winning team (Red Bull clinched it in Korea in October). But with Infiniti and Vettel it looks to be less about the race car in question and more about partnership; as this performance FX stands testament.
The Vettel FX is based on the 2012 FX, which is performance-based with sport accents, heavy on tech and extremely comfortable as well. It has a 414-horsepower V8 engine that can zip from 0 to 60mph in just 5.6 seconds, with a 186 mph top speed. Even those opting for the FX50 will get a 5.0-litre V8 that makes a very satisfying 390-horsepower, and with comparably quick 0 to 60 acceleration. The extra power is from a new exhaust system and reprogrammed ECU, otherwise the models are similar.
The Vettel edition does have stiffer springs, 20mm lower with suspension updates and supposedly 30 per cent less down force, adding just a bit more manoeuvrability than the range of Infiniti luxury cars, but reviewers suggest that those looking for the sport without the price tag will be satisfied with FX35, or even better, the FX50s models.
Infiniti has gone to some lengths to get more carbon fibre – and not applique but real carbon fibre – in exterior chrome accents such as on the grille, side sills, mirror covers and rear diffuser to the performance FX. The interior is really racy, from the Alcantara steering wheel and shifter paddles to black suede cloth seats and Vettel badging (complete with the driver’s signature on the centre console plate).
The signature is appropriate to the style of Formula One, where advertising and signage has a commanding presence, and for which Infiniti has spent upwards of $10 million in support of the German driver. Hardly surprising; CNN reported that the combined budget of all 11 teams this year was said to be in excess of $2.5 billion, of which the largest portion was provided by sponsors.
At the crowning of Vettel at the season’s close, Infiniti recognised all of its supporters; even those who won’t be in the market for the top-of-the-range performance edition. For buyers of the FX, this means an opportunity to tour Red Bull Racing’s UK factory, along with a racing graphic wrap tailored to fit the FX.