Vettel Inspired Infiniti FX is built for champions.

This time around, the Frankfurt Motor Show is even better. It is practically a bigger, better paradise for an enthusiast. Not only are their fast cars, there are cars inspired by one of the best Formula One drivers. Showcasing today at Frankfurt is the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version which is, you guessed it, a crossover worthy for a champion. Don’t let the good looks of the car fool you, its 420 PS, five liter V8 is good enough to take this beast from a standstill to the 100 kmph mark in just 5.6 seconds.

What’s more? Well, the explanation is endless when it comes to Vettel briefing Infinti about how he wants a car to be. But, the fact is that this crossover was made in a matter of six months. What started with a chat between the Chief Creative Officer, Shiro Nakamura and the Red Bull Formula One driver at the Geneva Motor Show in March, turned into the best projects for Infiniti.

Changes in performance include increased power, lower weight, no limiter on top speed, longer gearing, increased downforce and lowered and stiffer suspension and have transformed a crossover to a super crossover with a top speed of 300 kilometers an hour. The racer said, “I have been driving an FX all this year and it is a car I love. It fits my lifestyle perfectly and is great fun to drive. But of course, it could go a little faster. I drive a lot in Germany on motorways that have no speed limits and have enjoyed my FX around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Driving at high speed where safe and legal is part of my life. This is the first road car I have helped develop. Usually I have hundreds of engineers building one car just for me. So it is fantastic for me to contribute to the design of a car. The result is an Infiniti I am very proud to have my name on.”

2011 Frankfurt Motor Show: Hot launches & brilliant concepts, click here

Features like Rear Active Steering for maximum agility, the V8 FX50s Premium, Infiniti’s flagship model and best seller in some markets. Infiniti’s Corporate Vice President Toru Saito said: “The FX Sebastian Vettel version is unique and very much Sebastian’s car. But at the same time it is a concept car for Infiniti globally.”

The car’s revised aerodynamics profile is the result of Vettel and Red Bull Racing personnel shipping a Red Bull Racing RB7 to Japan to provide real life inspiration for the engineers. The crossover rides 20 mm lower than the stock version. Essence inspired grille, carbon rear wing also add to the appeal and distinctiveness of the car. Tests show the Infiniti FX is one road car that can also perform extremely well on tracks.

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The 21 inch multispoke alloys with silver rims don’t just look the part, but save weight over the standard 21 inch FX50. At 2949 kilograms, the Sebastian Vettel FX version weighs 46 kilos less than a standard FX50S Premium. Thanks to the carbon used for the splitter,sills, front grille, mirror covers and rear diffuser. The rear fog light placed in the centre is also just like an F1 car’s rain light.

As for the mechanical upgrades, the potent V8 already produced 390 PS at 6500 rpm and all that was done was to get rid of the speed limiter and remap the ECU for faster and higher performance. A new exhaust system also helped a bit in this. The longer final drive ratio means that the car is not quick off the block, but, only theoretically. It still holds a good one tenth lead than the FX50S Premium.

2011 Frankfurt Motor Show: Hot launches & brilliant concepts, click here

The design silhouette and materials also extend inside the car. Bespoke carbon fibre detailing on the doors and centre console. Highlighting details which would normally be silver chrome have been treated to a special black chrome finish, desire for any car to be and any owner to have. The luxury fittings, comprehensive features including Connectiviti+, one of the crossover’s most easy to understand gadgets.

2011 Frankfurt Motor Show: Hot launches & brilliant concepts, click here