Infiniti FX50 S: Sebastian Vettel edition SUV gets $150K price tag

Autocar has learned the Formula One driver’s special edition Infiniti FX50 S will cost in excess of 120,000 euro in mainland Europe, which will translate to a UK price of around £100,000 - approximately $154,000 in a straight conversion to Australian dollars.

With just 50 examples heading to Europe and a UK allocation yet to be decided on, the likelihood of any Infiniti FX50 S special editions reaching our shores appears slim to say the least. But all is not lost, as Infiniti Cars Australia has confirmed the 291kW/500Nm 5.0-litre V8-powered FX50 will be among the brand's launch range when it opens its local showrooms in August.

Infiniti says it has nine confirmed European orders for the Formula One-inspired SUV - the first one of those heading into the capable hands of Vettel himself.

The production version will be almost identical to the 2011 Frankfurt motor show concept, meaning a carbonfibre body kit and a 300kW version of the standard 5.0-litre V8 engine delivering a 300km/h top speed. It will be available only in pearlescent white paint instead of the show car’s matt white finish.

The car is due to enter production in October of this year ahead of the first European deliveries in 2013.

The price tag alone puts the Infiniti FX50 S alongside some very heavy-hitting company including the $208,000 Range Rover Autobiography Ultimate Edition and $215,000 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG. It may even rock the Italians' boat in regards to the Lamborghini Urus and Maserati Kubang-based SUV.

Click on the Gallery for more photos.