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Design and Aerodynamics
As Sebastian says, the first priority
for his ultimate FX was to give it more performance. However, whether on the
racetrack or the road, speed is just one part of the mix that goes to make a
world-beater. All the car's systems, and in particular the aerodynamics, must be
up to the task. In the FX Sebastian Vettel version they are.
Infiniti claims that the car's
revised aerodynamics profile is the result of changes made by Infiniti designers
and engineers after meetings involving Sebastian and Red Bull Racing personnel.
A Red Bull Racing RB7 was even shipped to Japan to provide real life inspiration
for the team bringing the World Champion's road car dream to life.
Riding
20mm lower than standard and featuring a more aerodynamic, as well as more
distinctive, Essence-inspired grille, the most obvious change is the addition of
a carbon rear wing. Tests show that it delivers everything that its looks
promise - and Sebastian sought - in terms of increased downforce, and stability,
at the 186 lb-ft (300 km/h) speeds of which the FX Sebastian Vettel version is
capable.
As well as a 30 per cent improvement in the coefficient of lift
(Cl), the special FX boasts a 5 per cent lower coefficient of drag (Cd).
Boosting downforce while simultaneously cutting drag is one of the concept's
major claims to fame. Even the door mirror housings have been shaped to increase
downforce.
Carbon is used for the splitter, sills, front grille, mirror
covers and rear diffuser, trimming the weight of what is already one of the
lighter SUVs in its size class. Design of the splitter and diffuser is inspired
by the F1 car, as is the central rear fog light - just like an F1 car's rain
light.
The wheels are 21-inch black multispoke alloys with silver rims,
designed exclusively for this car; they don't just look the part but also save
weight over the standard 21-inch FX50 wheel. At 4517 lb-ft (2049 kg), the FX
Sebastian Vettel version weighs 101 lbs (46 kg) less than a standard FX50S
Premium.
Lower and even more distinctive with new LED daytime running
lights set just below the front bumper section, the concept FX exudes dynamic
power. The new look enhances the sports car-like proportions and makes the
flowing profile even more seductive. Dark smoke lights back and front complete
the look - along with Vettel logos on both sides and at the rear.
Shiro
Nakamura, Infiniti Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer: "We are
always keen to listen to what our customers have to say about our cars, whoever
they are. Equally we are always keen to show how individual our cars are, and
how personalization can subtly alter their character. Making the perfect FX for
Sebastian was the ideal demonstration of this.
"It was at this year's
Geneva Show that Sebastian first suggested to me that we collaborate on making
his perfect FX. So we haven't had long, but with very clear objectives we have
been able to realize his ideas in a very satisfying manner."
Interior
The bespoke carbon fiber exterior detailing is echoed in the FX's cabin by
tailored panels of black carbon - real, not applique - on the doors and centre
console. Highlights that would normally be silver chrome are treated to a
special black chrome finish, while in true F1 style, Alcantara is used on the
steering wheel and gearshift paddles. Special seats, with extra support, are
covered in black quilted suede cloth finished with purple stitching and special
"SV" logos. The material also features on the pillars, roof lining and sun
visors.
A metal plate on the centre console featuring the World
Champion's signature provides the unique finishing touch.
The luxury
fittings, comprehensive features including Connectiviti+, one of the car world's
most complete and easily understood infotainment systems, and the FX's
award-winning range of safety technologies are all included.
Mechanical Changes
With an already potent 5.0-liter V8 under the
bonnet, relatively little needed to be done to enable the world's most special
FX to hit Sebastian Vettel's maximum speed target of 186 mph (300 km/h).
The first job was to free the car of its speed limiter which electronically
restricts all other FXs to 155 mph (250 km/h). Even in standard form, with the
VVEL V8 producing 390 hp at 6500 rpm, the car has plenty of performance beyond
its artificial top speed, but even so more power had to be found to deliver 186
mph.
No radical engine reworking was necessary to gain the extra 30 hp
that takes the FX Vettel concept's power output to 420 hp. A new exhaust system
liberates some of the extra horsepower while a reprogrammed engine ECU takes
care of the rest, with no discernible difference to the V8's response or
efficiency. And it sounds better than ever.
In addition to the extra
power is a longer final drive ratio to deliver 186 mph (300 km/h) Autobahn speed
without any detrimental effects on refinement. The longer overall gearing means
the car is not as quick off the line as it could be - but at 5.4 seconds for
0-60 mph, two tenths of a second ahead of the standard car, no one is
complaining. Least of all Sebastian Vettel.
Stiffer springs and re-rated
dampers take the FX50's already highly focused sports chassis into a new area of
precision control for the smooth-surface, high-speed driving for which the car
exists. Essentially, however, making an FX to the World Champion's specification
required no major changes. Like any FX in sporting S guise, the concept features
dual-flow path (DFP) dampers with continuous damping control (CDC); the same
wishbone front/multilink rear suspension, much of it constructed out of
aluminum; opposed 4-piston (front), 2-piston (rear) calipers for the 355/350mm
brake discs; and vehicle-speed variable rack and pinion steering.
Rear
Active Steering, an important ingredient in any FX S's blend of agility with
stability, plays a key role in ensuring handling fulfils the World Champion's
requirements for a road car.
Infiniti FX50 Sebastian Vettel Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications