Infiniti FX Vettel Edition Review: Worthy Of An F1 Triple World Champ?

Under the hood

The best way to describe the Infiniti FX Vettel Edition would be to liken it to Ronnie Coleman. Like him, the Vettel possesses Zeus-like power, an unnaturally beefcake body and will get the world bowing down to you in both respect and fear.

In the Vettel’s case – congratulations on the third world championship, Seb – we’re looking at some serious engine protein. The Vettel Edition’s 5.0-litre V8 will bench press 420hp, meaning it’ll also squat from 0-62mph in just 5.6sec, before maxing the gym out at a limited 155mph. We’ve also been told that there will be an option to ditch the limiter, giving the Vettel a top speed in excess of 180mph. “Yeahhhhh Buddy!”

Behind the wheel

With only 150 of these Vettel Vikings planned for production – a mere 10 destined for the UK – we were asked to ‘take it easy’ on our test route. With a howling V8 power station nestled between Vettel’s legs, however, we’re sorry to report that we did anything but. Boy does this 2.2-tonne leviathan shift...

While acceleration isn’t as organ-altering as you might expect, the Vettel Edition’s V8 piles on its power so smoothly, that before you know it you’re into license-losing territory. In-gear performance is equally impressive as is the seven-speed automatic gearbox, which flits through each cog fairly rapidly.

So we’re happy with the Vettel’s straight line performance, then. How does it cope on the twisties, you ask? Thanks to a 20mm lower-than-standard centre of gravity, improved aero kit that produces 30 per cent more downforce than standard and beefed-up suspension, the answer, surprisingly, is ‘very well’. This super SUV corners with minimal body roll, and clings on to the tarmac impressively. The massive 21-inch lightweight alloys and rude-boy rubbers also play a crucial role here. Steering feel is also surprisingly decent and small steering inputs get the FX's long nose pointing in either direction quickly and sharply.

So what don’t we like? Well, it’s those massive, grippy wheels that let the Vettel’s refinement down when you take to a motorway. Tyre roar is extremely noticeable and the hot FX’s ride quality won’t leave you with a smile on your face; firm spring rates are great for going round corners quickly, but not so good for glossing over speed bumps and seemingly innocuous potholes.

Splash the cash?

As if Infiniti cars weren't a rare enough sight already, this super-duper limited edition Vettel FX takes some serious beating in the rarity stakes.

Infiniti tells us that most of the FX Vettel Editions will find homes in the Middle East. And for good reason; the Vettel costs over £100k and is priced similarly to the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S, an SUV that’s already popular with ‘don’t-like-change’ UK buyers.

If you’re after something that your mates have never heard of, but which is guaranteed to blow their minds for all the right reasons, then the Infiniti FX Vettel Edition could be just what you’re looking for. Oh, and when you do buy one, you also get a ‘money-can’t-buy’ experience to go with it. While we’re sworn to secrecy, let’s just say that it involves a certain German triple world champion...