As if winning back to back Formula 1 World Championship’s wasn’t enough for Sebastian Vettel, he’s recently taken to endorsing cars, specifically the new Infiniti FX. It looks like a bit of a brute and you’d think, for the money, it would go like one too! It’ll set potential owners back a whopping £100,000 for what is, essentially, a sporty Jeep.
Now, of course it’s quite natural for Mr Vettel to endorse cars, but what a car to start with! The Infiniti FX comes complete with a 5.0 litre V8 powerplant, so that does sound promising. This supersized engine produces 415bhp thanks to a new exhaust system and some very clever engine remapping and, by all accounts, the new exhaust system sounds like it should as it gives the FX a muscular V8 burble.
The FX will, thanks to Vettel’s guidance, hit 186mph due to the restrictor being removed while the 0-62mph time stands at around 5.6 seconds, which is very impressive for a hefty SUV. Still, if it’s raw power and performance you’re after, the FX, for £100,000, probably wouldn’t be your number one choice!
Nevertheless it packs a punch in a straight line and Infiniti have also concentrated on sharpening up the steering. They’ve fitted stiffer springs and up-rated dampers and it sits 20mm lower than the standard FX50 S. The Vettel FX also has a 5% lower coefficient of drag and comes in at 46kg less. Those 21 inch black alloy wheels also add to the whole appeal of the car. Inside the car you’ll also get the feel of luxury twinned with performance as there’s lashings of carbon fibre spread about the cabin.
The Infiniti FX looks to be going toe to toe with the Cayenne, X5 and other upcoming SUV’s. Will it be able to compete though?
It is, without a doubt, better looking than the Porsche and the BMW and Sebastian Vettel, for one, is delighted with the FX: “This is the first road car I have helped develop. The result is an Infiniti I am very proud to have my name on. It is all I hoped for: 186mph, plenty of downforce – and I can still fit my mountain bike in the back. Plus it is totally exclusive – and as an Infiniti driver, that’s important.” He definitely sells it well doesn’t he?
[Image Credit - Infiniti]









