It seems the trend of celebrity special-edition SUVs is taking Europe by storm, following the Victoria Beckham-enhanced Range Rover Evoque unveiled in Beijing. Now, current reigning Formula One champ Sebastian Vettel is putting his stamp on the Infiniti FX50, according to Autocar.
The Vettel-ized FX is primarily for the European and Middle Eastern markets, and only 50 of those will stay on the continent, the rest presumably destined for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, and other well-heeled Persian Gulf markets.
So what does the six-figure price tag get you? A tuned version of the 5.0-liter V-8 producing 414 hp, up 24 from the standard 390, and taller gearing on the seven-speed automatic transmission, reportedly giving the SUV a top speed of 186 mph. Vettel's Team Read Bull offered its design expertise with the carbon fiber front splitter and roof spoiler, which reportedly are functional. Good thing with its nearly 200 mph claimed top speed. Vettel was also reportedly involved in the suspension tuning for the special-edition model himself.
Already a modest-selling niche model in the U.S., deciding against selling the pricey Vettel-edition FX in the NASCAR-crazed U.S. market is probably ultimately the right move.