We review the Infiniti FX SUV (2012) from price to economy and all its features
Infiniti may be at the back of the grid in the premium sales league... but they now have an ambassador in pole position.
Nissan’s posh division have signed up F1 world champ — and current GP series leader — Sebastian Vettel.
The budding brand hope the German will spearhead more awareness of their badge.
Sales are improving slowly since Infiniti hit UK shores two years ago. In 2012 they are up by 69 per cent — although numbers are small, with just 342 cars sold.
However, when you consider that Infiniti launched in Europe in the middle of a recession as a prestige brand with no model under £33,500, that is perhaps not a bad performance at all.
And, like Vettel in the recent Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Infiniti are banking on an exciting fight from the back of the grid to become a big name.
When Infiniti announced a Vettel edition of the FX SUV, it sounded like a publicity stunt.
But when it was released that the double F1 champion was involved in the development process, this became a much more interesting car. And we’ve had a first drive in Scotland this week.
Vettel already drives an FX50 as his road car (Infiniti is Red Bull Racing’s main sponsor) — so he knew what he wanted to improve. No shocks that the top priority for an F1 driver was power — so he binned the 155mph limiter — to try to hit 186mph on the autobahns!
Also, F1 drivers like a spoiler and diffuser or two. So he added an aggressive bodykit to assist with looks and aerodynamics.
The new design was developed to reduce drag, then the V8’s exhaust was tweaked to boost power by 29bhp. Finally, plenty of carbon bodywork was added, which includes an all-new front grille, a swoopy front apron, extended sills and a rear diffuser, complete with an F1-style central foglight. Oddly, the two-piece roof spoiler is a £4,800 extra.
The overall effect is that the white-only Vettel edition is striking but unusual rather than beautiful.
The real fun begins when you press the start button and the meaty 414bhp V8 bursts into life. Our first drive was near the airport close to Infiniti’s Glasgow base at Braehead.
But the real test would be on local rural roads. A car with input from an F1 world champ would surely be able to handle corners at pace?
You can leave the seven-speed gearbox in auto, select Sport or choose full manual mode via paddles behind the steering wheel.
But it doesn’t feel like a car that reflects a racing driver of Vettel’s undoubted class.
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The German might be able to get the FX drifting sideways round corners, but I couldn’t find a sporty side to this SUV.
The other downside is the outrageous cost. A standard FX costs £58,280 — for this Vettel model you pay a whopping £47k more (including the £5k spoiler).
That total price of £100,800 puts it way above the £62,000 Porsche Cayenne GTS which has better handling and badge. In its defence this FX has the kudos of input from the double F1 world champ.
Only 150 more will be built, with just a third making it to western Europe. That will make it one of the most exclusive SUVs you can buy. If you can afford it.
Infiniti continue to improve gradually despite the economic crisis. With Vettel’s backing they have every chance of getting in amongst the big premium boys on the grid.