Loading
Facebook YouTube Twitter RSS Feed Newsletter

Free Car Insurance Quote - Enter Zip Code:

Review (2/2)

Infiniti FX50 Sebastian Vettel Version: The Crossover Fit for a Champion

Source: Infiniti | Published: Tue Sep 13, 2011

(continued from the previous page)

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

Top Top
Infiniti
Latest Updates
2013 Lexus LS 4602013 Lexus LS 460

Tue Jul 31, 2012

2013 Infiniti M35h GT2013 Infiniti M35h GT

Thu Jul 05, 2012

2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider2013 McLaren MP4-12C Spider

Wed Jul 04, 2012

2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS 500 Shooting Brake2013 Mercedes-Benz CLS 500 Shooting Brake

Tue Jul 03, 2012

2013 Audi TT Coupe S line competition2013 Audi TT Coupe S line competition

Tue Jul 03, 2012

Top 18





Desktop Wallpapers
Highlights:
Copyright © 2003-2012 Cardotcom.com. All rights reserved. Contact Us :: Terms of Use :: Privacy Policy