As the new Infiniti Director of Performance, Sebastian Vettel is keeping busy between racing and fine tuning Infiniti’s newest machines.
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Three-time Formula 1 World Champion Sebastian Vettel has been named Infiniti’s Director of Performance.
Infiniti Red Bull Racing has revealed its race car that will be used to defend its Formula One Drivers’ and Constructors’ titles in the 2013 Formula One season.
Sporting a 414-hp V8 engine, the Sebastian Vettel Edition Infiniti FX50 is the most powerful Infiniti the Japanese automaker has released, and with a price tag of around $150,000, it’s also the most expensive.
F1 racer Sebastian Vettel is emerging as an on-screen presence, starting with movies, and now music videos in pop singer Melanie Fiona‘s latest music video.
Driving an Infiniti IPL G Coupe, F1 star Sebastian Vettel set tires smoking and caught some serious speed racing around the New Jersey roads that will mark the Grand Prix of America course in 2013.
The Sebastian Vettel Edition Infiniti FX50 became official back in September last year, featuring a 414-hp V8 powerplant, improved aerodynamics, 21-inch wheels, and carbon fiber components.
Last month, we got word that Sebastian Vettel was working on filming a film titled Kung Fu Vettel: Drive of the Dragon. Now Infiniti has launched the official film starring its Formula One champion and Hollywood actress, Celina Jade.
Formula 1 two-time world champion Sebastian Vettel isn’t having his best year. He hasn’t been able to put the car on pole in qualifying nor has he won any races, but changing to an acting career? That seems drastic.
OK, so the Redbull Infiniti F1 star isn’t actually pondering a career change, but he did recently appear in a martial arts film with the actress Celina Jade.
“Kung Fu Vettel: Drive of the Dragon” is the first of many films Infiniti is planning to launch this year as part of their “Inspired Performers” series.
Infiniti is continuing to leverage its relationship with two-time Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel with the launch of a new global ad campaign. Earlier this month, the Japanese luxury automaker announced the official production model for the Sebastian Vettel Special Edition FX.
The marketing campaign will feature an onslaught of material including digital media, viral content films, a series of collector’s posters, and will mark the first globally broadcasted television commercial for Infiniti. The launch of the global television ad will coincide with the 2012 Monaco Grand Prix on May 26-27.
The ad, featuring the Red Bull driver, was shot in Spain prior to the pre-season F1 test session in Catalunya earlier this month. This is just the second year of the partnership between Infiniti and Red Bull Racing, both of which hope to continue expanding their relationship. We can expect to see more prominent Infiniti branding on the F1 cars, drivers, and equipment. The two are also looking into opportunities for technical collaborations in the future.
“This is an exciting new campaign which, following on from last year’s successful Vettel FX project, further illustrates how Infiniti is maximizing its partnership with Sebastian Vettel,” said Nissan’s Corporate Vice President, Global Marketing Communications Simon Sproule.
As for what Vettel had to say about the upcoming ad? “Having driven the range of Infinitis for the past year and co-developed a special edition FX, I was happy to work with Infiniti on this campaign. I had great fun shooting the advert in Spain, and I can’t wait to see the finished product in the coming weeks!”
GALLERY: Infiniti Behind-the-Scenes with Sebastian Vettel
In the 2010 F1 season, Sebastian Vettel was crowned the youngest F1 champion ever at the final race. A year later, the German Red Bull driver had absolutely no problems defending his championship, locking it in with three races to go.
Formula One’s head honcho, Bernie Ecclestone, doesn’t seem pleased with how things went last year. Ecclestone is hoping that this season’s championship will go down to the final race in Brazil.
It’s not so much that Ecclestone wants a new F1 champion, but more that he wants the series to have life at the end of the season. Ecclestone believes that Vettel’s recent dominance of the sport could be harming it as interest wanes further on in the year if the championship is decided early.
“We always say this, but I hope the last race is going to be the one where the championship is won,” Ecclestone said Thursday. “We don’t want what happened last year, which was not too good … The only person that would say no to that would be Sebastian, but I think everybody else would agree with it.”
He went on to elaborate, ”But it wasn’t good. I am surprised we survived with (the TV ratings) we got right at the end. I often wonder whether people watch because of the championship or watch because of the particular race.”
Before Vettel, Lewis Hamilton claimed the crown in 2008 and Jenson Button was the 2009 champion. Button finished second last season, Hamilton was fifth.
[Source: ESPN]
Red Bull livery. It’s not just for Honda CBRs any more. Not since Infiniti teamed up with the energy drink company’s F1 team last year and Sebastian Vettel won the World Championship for the second year running.
To celebrate the event, Infiniti is giving just 10 customers in the UK the opportunity for a behind the scenes look at the Red Bull Racing UK factory. And all they have to do is buy an Infiniti FX.
Those lucky few will be able to have their FX outfitted in a Red Bull Racing inspired wrap at no extra cost. Infiniti will also be offering the custom wrap to other FX drivers, although exact pricing has not been released.
If you’re an avid follower of Formula 1, you’d have already known that Sebastien Vettel has won the 2011 Drivers Championship. Even though his F1 car is powered by a Renault engine, it is branded an Infiniti for marketing purposes, as Infiniti only launched in Europe this year.
Starting with the FX Sebastien Vettel edition. First shown as a concept vehicle at the Frankfurt Auto Show, this special vehicle is now rumored to be approved for production. While the looks will pretty much stay intact, it is yet to be seen if the production model will also be limited to a top speed of 186 mph.
While Vettel might be a double world champion, F1 is not big in North America, so this hot FX might not even come to our shores. We hope that it does.
Gallery: Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel
[Source: Autoblog]
Sebastian Vettel’s Version of Infiniti‘s FX is now official, packing 414-hp, improved aerodynamics, 21-inch wheels and carbon fiber components giving the FX over 101-lbs in weight savings. The special edition FX was designed to Sebastian Vettel’s vision and built by Infiniti in just six months and is based on the V8 FX50S Premium. And best of all, we’re glad Infiniti and Vettel changed more than just the FX’s good looks on their collaboration.
The aerodynamic changes on Sebastian Vettel’s FX were a result of Infiniti designers and engineers working closely with Vettel and Red Bull Racing personnel. In fact, Red Bull Racing’s RB7 was shipped over to Japan to give Infiniti real life inspiration. The FX sits about 0.8-inch lower than the standard FX, an Essence-inspired grille and sports a carbon fiber rear wing. This results in a 30-percent improvement in the coefficient of lift while the coefficient of drag is 5-percent lower. Carbon is also seen on the splitter, sills, front grille, mirror covers and rear diffusers.
The stylish 21-inch wheels are finished in a black and silver shade, giving the FX a stylish and sporty appearance. For performance, a new exhaust system along with reprogrammed ECU is all it took to free up another 30 or so hp from the factory FX50S. In the inside, more carbon fiber was used on the doors and center console while the steering wheel sports Alcantara and special seats with additional support are covered in black-quilted suede with purple stitching and “SV” logos. A metal plate on the center console features Vettel’s signature.
No word yet if production of this special edition FX will make its way to America.
GALLERY: Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version
When it was first revealed that Infiniti was planning a Sebsatian Vettel edition model, the immediate assumption was that it would be some sort of G37 Coupe. Not so.
Rumors then turned towards an FX model, and those reports have proved accurate, with the Nissan luxury division releasing a photo of custom crossover. Unfortunately few details have been provided, other than the fact that it will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13th and that Formula One World Champion Sebastian Vettel helped design it.
The image does, however, give away a few hints, with this FX sporting some aggressive styling, additional LED lighting, badging and wheels. And even though the FX50 already features a 5.0L V8 powerplant with 390-hp and 369 lb-ft of torque, we’re hoping Vettel designed some more performance DNA into the special edition.
The original assumption of Sebastian Vettel collaborating with Infiniti to produce a special edition IPL G37 Coupe may still be accurate, but now rumors are stirring that the Sebastian Vettel Edition Infiniti may actually be based on the FX model, rather than the G37. The belief is that Infiniti has already enhanced the G37 with the IPL line, and it wouldn’t make as much sense to further customize it by adding a Sebastian Vettel Edition.
In a new teaser video regarding the Vettel collaborating with Infiniti, a hint is dropped that the debut of the special edition model may occur at the Frankfurt Motor Show. Unfortunately everything is speculation right now, but Infiniti is causing some curiosity with how they’ll be taking advantage of their partnership with Vettel and whether or not it’ll pay off in the long run. Hopefully whatever model it is, Infiniti has done more than just some aesthetic changes but rather some serious performance modifications to give it a true Vettel-inspired driving experience.
Check out the video after the jump:
[Source: Jalopnik]
Formula 1 has decided to implement the 1.6-liter V6 for the 2014 race year. Teams have been grumbling over the 1.6-liter turbo four-cylinder plants but are more eager to compromise with the V6.
The difference in size between the two engines may seem very small, but the idea is to get all of the current teams to agree on a standard so the series doesn’t lose any of its relatively few participants. A Kinetic Energy Recovery System hybrid has also been part of the new proposal. With the 1.6-liter V6 already approved, the next step is for the World Motor Sport Council to vote.
Stay tuned for more info!
[Source: Motor Authority]
Infiniti’s Performance Line (IPL) seems to be a little bit underwhelming right now, but it looks like the luxury car manufacturer is continuing to push forward to prove their IPL G37 Coupe can be a total blast to drive. By teaming up with Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull’s Formula One defending champion, Infiniti is planning to come out with a special edition G37 Coupe that’s inspired by the young driver’s prowess.
Sebastian Vettel is the best driver out there in Formula One right now, and this video shows just how smoothly and effortlessly he commands the IPL G37 Coupe. It’ll be interesting if this partnership really helps influence demand on the IPL line of offerings from Infiniti, but here’s to hoping that it’ll feature some real performance add-ons and not just some special badging and minor accessories.
Check out the video of Sebastian Vettel behind the wheel of an IPL G37 Coupe after the break.
[Source: FastLaneDaily]
Sebastian Vettel, the reigning Formula One world champion and currently in first place on the F1 leaderboard, has been appointed brand ambassador in the hopes of boosting the Infiniti brand.
Vettel has been provided with several Infiniti products including a personal car, according to the manufacturer.
“Since our first contact with Infiniti I liked their cars. A car can impress you in two ways: its looks and its handling. After I had the chance to test some cars in the range I became a big fan,” said Vettel.
“They are comfortable as well as sporty when you ask for it. I am sure we as a team and myself can benefit a lot from the experience of Infiniti and I am very much looking forward to our partnership in the future.”
Since the beginning of the 2011 F1 season, the Infiniti logo has appeared on the successful Red Bull Racing team’s clothing, their equipment, and the race car as well, helping gain valuable exposure.
Not only does Red Bull give you wings, it also makes you feel like you’re Sebastian Vettel. How does the energy drink do that? With it’s new Playseat Red Bull-branded racing simulator.
In order to replicate the feel of a Formula One car, the Playseat is almost like driving Red Bull’s new RB7 – except, of course, you never leave the comfort of your own living room. The seat is in the same location relative to the pedals and steering wheel – just like in an F1 car, and it’s set up to plug into a variety of gaming systems.
If you have the extra cash lying around, you can pick up one of these bad boys for $1,300 (that’s the price when it’s on sale – you can also buy it at the regular price of $1,400). If you don’t, you’ll just have to live vicariously through Vettel.
[Source: Crunch Gear]
With all the introductions of next-generation electric cars at this year’s Los Angeles Auto Show, it’s safe to say that they’re becoming the vehicles of the future. Whether or not electric cars and/or hybrids will fully replace what we’ve known to love over the last decades, we won’t know for a while, but it’s nice to see that many sanctioning bodies of motorsports are already accepting electric cars and hybrids.
Tesla, known for their high-end stylish electric car, recently took their roadster race cars out to the 2010 Race of Champions to show off what modified electric cars can do. This particular race cars can hit 62 mph in under 4 seconds and has a top speed of 125 mph.
Driven by Formula 1 world champions Sebastian Vettel and Alain Prost, the Tesla Roadster race cars made quite the noise (despite being so quiet themselves) out at ROC. It’s simply fascinating to see how these vehicles will pave the way for the future with performance and zero emissions bundled into one nifty package.
GALLERY: Tesla Roadster Race Cars
