One would expect a Formula 1 world champion to drive something spectacular as his everyday car. Fernando Alonso drives a Ferrari 458, Jenson Button a McLaren MP4-12C, and Schumacher an SLS AMG. Well Red Bull doesn’t have its own supercar. However, with Renault supplying their engines, they do have a close relationship with the Nissan/Renault Alliance. But, its drivers could drive something sporty like a GTR or even a sporty sedan from Infiniti – Nissan’s luxury brand that is widely visible on the rear wing of the Red Bull F1 racing cars. So, imagine the surprise when Sebastian Vettel said his everyday car is an Infiniti FX50 – a car that’s part-SUV and part-sedan, and is commonly referred to as a crossover. To find out if Vettel’s ride is more than a soccer mom special, I tested an FX50 and drove it from San Francisco to Los Angeles, a roundtrip of about 1,400 kilometers.

With a 5.0 liter V8 engine that produces close to 400 horsepower, the FX50 certainly has the muscle to keep the driver entertained. To say that the FX50 looks distinct is an understatement. With its long hood, stretched wheelbase, and short front and rear overhangs the FX has aggressive styling that serves notice of its performance underpinnings. According to Infiniti, subtle cues like the side air vents located behind the front wheels allow air to flow through the engine compartment, reducing front end lift. With its large wheels and ample ground clearance, it looks a lot like a sporty hatch that’s sitting on stilts. The front of the car has the standard Infiniti grille, however, the FX’s profile is what really makes it stand apart from the crowd. With a powerful engine and distinct styling I begin to understand why Vettel agreed to have this as his vehicle.



The Infiniti FX’s interior is modeled along the lines of a cockpit with all the controls nicely laid out close to the driver. The leather appointed front seats offer 10-way power adjustments and are available with a heating and cooling function that makes traveling long distances very comfortable. A unique feature on the FX is the automatic driving position system, which moves the steering wheel and outside mirrors adaptively into the correct position when the seat is adjusted – allowing the driver to change the seat position and keep the same mirror viewpoint and relationship between the steering column and driver’s shoulder position. Two passengers can sit in the rear comfortably, however a third person sitting in the middle has to deal with a hard cushion and a stiff backrest – not the place you want to be stuck on a long journey. It’s a surprising error by Infiniti, given that the FX50 was designed to seat five in comfort. The Infiniti FX50 has a good navigation interface, and comes with a Bose Sound system that provides excellent acoustics.

Fire up the engine and the V8 settles into a nice rumble. The large dual exhaust outlets help accentuate the cars sporty credentials and complement the engine sound perfectly. The 5.0 liter V8 engine features Infiniti’s variable valve control technology, which continuously adjusts valve timing and lift amounts. The engine is rated at 390 horsepower and 500Nm of torque. The number may not say much, but the FX does have astounding performance. The engine has a 6,800rpm redline and torque is available right through the rev band. This large vehicle goes from standstill to 100km/h in under 6 seconds, and again one begins to understand why Vettel drives this beast. The FX comes with a seven speed automatic gearbox with steering mounted controls. The gearbox works best when left in automatic mode, however isn’t as quick to respond to driver input as the twin-clutch boxes from Audi. The FX50 is an all-wheel drive machine, with power normally going to the rear wheels. Torque can be split 50:50, depending on road and driving conditions.

While the power delivery is good, it’s the handling of the FX that is a revelation. The car corners like its on rails with no body roll whatsoever. The combination of a well sorted chassis, adaptive suspension, and large 20-inch wheels give the FX50 ride and handling characteristics that are exceptional for a vehicle of this class. Under the FX’s aggressive styling is a rigid body structure. And with extensive use of aluminum in the doors and hood, Infiniti has done its best to reduce weight and give the FX balanced front-to-rear weight distribution.

The FX features independent suspension on all corners. The suspension also incorporates electronically controlled shock absorbers that use inputs from a variety of sensors and continuously alter the damping of the shocks to provide optimal ride and handling. A driver selectable switch with two settings, ‘auto’ and ‘sport,’ allows the driver to choose the damping based on driving style and road conditions. The party trick of the FX is without a doubt the rear active-steer system, which turns the rear wheels up to one degree, helping generate a nimble steering response at low speeds and enhanced handling at high speeds. The FX feels composed through the corners and the brilliant handling encourages the driver to push harder. Having driven the FX50 extensively, I have to admit it’s an impressive machine that provides an ideal blend of performance, comfort, and convenience. It’s easy to understand why Vettel chose the FX over other models in the Infiniti line up.

To celebrate Red Bull and Vettel’s championship victories, Infiniti has launched a special edition FX50 with slightly more power and subtle styling cues that have been inspired by Red Bull’s F1 cars. The most notable addition being an F1 inspired spoiler that’s mounted on the front bumper of the vehicle. Its certainly unique, and one which Formula 1 fans will appreciate. In addition to the V8 powered FX50, Infiniti offers the FX35 that comes with a 306bhp V6. Given that Infiniti has been expanding globally in the last 12 months it’s only a matter of time before the brand is launched in India. In fact, there have been persistent rumors for some time that Infiniti’s launch in India is imminent, but these have, as yet, been proven unfounded. But, with the countries varied road surfaces and, now, fanatical Formula 1 following, the FX has the potential to be a serious hit!