Infiniti will debut a special Sebastian Vettel-inspired FX at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month, boasting a series of changes said to be developed by the reigning F1 World Champion.
The Infiniti FX ‘Sebastian Vettel’ is being shown as a concept car but will reach production soon after the show: Infiniti has even gone to the trouble of creating a special ‘Vettel’ badge for the front wings, as a sign of its intent.
Vettel himself will be present at the show, to unveil his perfect Infiniti FX.
The changes over the standard Infiniti FX large SUV are surprisingly far-reaching. This is more than just a badge-engineered special edition, with the teaser image showing a wide range of aerodynamic-inspired enhancements.
Already on show is an entirely new front bumper with F1-style front wing splitter. This layered setup is made from carbon fibre and has a raised middle section that looks like it’s been designed to carefully manage front airflow.
It sits beneath high-intensity LED running lights and a redesigned grille boasting a bigger Infiniti badge (the shape of the grille does, however, mimic the ‘spindle’ design of the 2012 Lexus GS…).
There are body-coloured wheelarch extensions, presumably to conceal wider tyres, and new carbonfibre door mirrors that house the side indicator repeaters (which have been moved from the front wings). Side sills are also finished in carbon fibre, while the gills in the wings have been colour-matched.
All the chromework has been given a dark titanium finish and the roof rails of the standard Infiniti FX have been removed, to further boost aerodynamic performance. However, it is at the rear that things look particularly interesting.
Infiniti has not released a shot of the Vettel FX from the back, but just visible is a large tailgate spoiler and what looks like a beefy diffuser-style rear bumper construction. Does this mean the Vettel Infiniti FX has been in the Red Bull F1 wind tunnel, to receive a motorsport-style aerodynamics tune?
It’s an intriguing thought that will ensure the Infiniti stand receives plenty of attention at next months’ Frankfurt Motor Show. Come back to MSN Cars next month to find out more.
