Almost two years after the world premiere of the second generation FX at the 2008 Geneva Show, Infiniti has announced the launch of a special edition version of its luxury crossover named the FX Limited Edition. Production will be limited to just 100 units for Western Europe, of which only 18 will be coming to the UK.
Based on either the V6-powered FX37S or the V8-powered FX50S, the FX Limited Edition is offered in a Black Obsidian 'Scratch Guard' finish as standard and in a Moonlight White pearl metallic as an option.
Unique features on the outside include dark smoked headlight surrounds, specially commissioned 21-inch 'Turbine' design alloy wheels finished in dark Graphite, while the same finish is applied on the radiator grille, side air vents and roof rails.
Inside, the FX Limited Editions feature illuminated 'Infiniti' entry guards, carbon fiber trim that replaces the standard maple wood veneer, Graphite leather upholstered seats, upper door panels and dashboard with contrasting stitching and Alcantara headlining.
Finally, both engine variants are offered with a Connectiviti+ technology package that includes a fully integrated navigation, communication and entertainment system comprising an 11-speaker Bose Premium Sound System, the Michelin Guide, full iPod connectivity and a 10GB music box with Gracenotes database.
In the UK, pricing for the FX Limited Edition starts at £55,855 for the 320HP V6 engined FX37S rising to £62,035 for the 390HP, V8 powered FX50S.
4 Comments:
Looks very good.
UK Footballers rejoice, only 18 RHD FX Limited Editions in the world!
With the initial one dealer (not even London got this honour) currently serving 60 million people in the UK and 3 more UK dealers planned for 2010, Infinity have definitely being realistic about their sales potential. With this apparent lack of commitment to after-sales, and no diesels in the G, EX or FX for the penny pinching to viral about, brand awareness in the European countries with heavy emissions-taxes and high gasoline prices will continue to remain non-existent. No mass brand awareness will naturally lead to heavy depreciation, with some excellent vehicles becoming used bargains for wannabe footballers in the near future. Can Infinity really survive long in those nations on that?
However the pricing strategy Infinity has chosen for the UK with regards to 0-60mph performance and equipment levels has been well thought out, even for the FX Limited Edition with its approx 11% premium over a fully optioned standard top spec FX. Meaning spec-for-spec pricing of the FX, like the rest of the Infinity range, genuinely beats the competition hand down.
So footballers take a good look at the 5.0 V8 FX Limited Edition, with guaranteed supercar-like exclusivity, a V8 pumping a 0-60mph that edges the Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged and Cayenne GTS into your rear-view mirror, all packaged with a competitive but respectable all-inclusive purchase price. Go and make them a deserving sell-out hit!
Infinity have styling, performance and packaging on their side for Europeans to respect this new entry to their choice. But evidently, depreciation, fuel costs, top-tier insurance premiums and emissions taxes, are minor details to the current Infinity Europe strategy……. and to the fortunate ones whose biggest worry is what to add to their current garage collections.
CC
Just checked the UK, US Pricing for the FX50s
UK Price £54,400 or $87,737
US Price £36,575 or $58,400
There may be an 11% increase in the equipment level. But that doesn't make up for the 18 grand differance in price!
A US to UK price comparison is always a misleading illustration. Hopefully I can help with why the FX50 UK price isn't actually that bad! (Apologies in advance for the lengthy explanation!) Using £1 = $1.61
FX50 (UK base spec includes the US Hands-free & Sport Packages):
UK price £54,950 or $88,470
US MSRP £39,938 or $64,300 (With Hands-free & Sport Packages - FX50S)
X5 48i xDrive:
UK price £51,515 or $82,939 (SE base model)
US MSRP £34,969 or $56,300 (base)
ML500/ML550:
UK Price £53,460 or $86,071 (SE base model)
US MSRP £35,248 or $56,750 (base)
Range Rover Sport 5.0 Supercharged HSE:
UK price £62,928 or $101,314
US MSRP £46,084 or $74,195
Cayenne GTS:
UK price £57,594 or $92,726
US MSRP £44,969 or $72,400 (base)
Using this flawed simple comparison technique results in a UK difference in price: FX50 is 15k more, X5 is 16.5k more, ML is 18k more, RR is 17k more, and Cayenne is 13k more.
However add the fact the UK prices are always inclusive of taxes and charges at point of purchase, and that the RR and Cayenne are built in Europe so don’t even suffer EU import tax levies, comparing prices between different markets as if they have the same statistical baselines isn’t the best method when assessing the consumer value of a vehicle.
The optioned US FX50 at £39,938 with combined UK customs & VAT at 27.5% is £50,921. Add transport from Japan (the extra distance over US destined units), possible claimed RHD build costs, paperwork bureaucracy, dealer margins, and a current Yen/Sterling exchange conversion at an historically unfavourable rate (for Japanese exporters), a price of £54,950 is a wholly reasonable total.
All of the UK base model prices mentioned above still exclude the cost of any options equating to a standard UK spec FX50. Even a fully optioned FX50 at £55,700 is a well placed market price against the rest of the competition in the UK.
Maybe the focus on price difference should be on why are the EU built Cayenne GTS and Range Rover Sport Supercharged more expensive to purchase in the UK than the US!
CC
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