Infiniti is calling the crossover concept the FX Sebastian Vettel Version. Aside from its awkward name, the FX50-based SVV boasts a host of performance and cosmetic upgrades over a normal FX. It features a coat of pearlescent white paint, while the rear valance, rocker panels, mirror caps, goofy rear spoiler, grille slats, and lower front fascia are rendered in carbon fiber. Infiniti says that the spoilers and side mirrors were specifically designed to lower the FX’s coefficient of drag and improve downforce. The SVV’s ride height was lowered 0.8 inch and its springs and dampers were stiffened to further increase its stability at speed and improve handling. The big 21-inch wheels are dark save for the tips of the spokes and the outer rims, which impart a bit of visual sparkle. Finally, Vettel’s personal logo—a V-shaped badge featuring his last name and a winding road that forms an “S”—is slapped on both sides and the rear.Apparently, one of Sebastian Vettel’s key requirements for his Infiniti FX was a higher top speed. Pedestrian FX50s are electronically limited to 155 mph, but the Vettel Version can scamper all the way up to 186 mph. The drastic speed improvement isn’t due solely to the removal of the speed limiter, however. Not only did Infiniti increase the 5.0-liter V-8’s output from 390 hp to 420 by reprogramming the ECU and bolting in a free-flowing exhaust, it also fitted a longer final-drive ratio. The new final drive dulls the FX’s off-the-line spirit a bit, lengthening its 0-to-62-mph time to a claimed 5.6 seconds.
The inside of the Vettel Version FX has been made a bit racier with liberal application of Alcantara and carbon fiber accents. The steering wheel and shift paddles are wrapped in Alcantara, and the unique seats are upholstered in quilted black suede with purple stitching and SV logos. The same black suede also graces the roof pillars, sun visors, and headliner. The doors and center console get carbon-fiber touches, and anything that is silver in a normal FX is black chrome in the Vettel.
The concept appears to be production-ready, and is likely to make it to the streets. If it does, it will probably be in limited numbers and likely only in markets that actually care about Formula 1.
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