Frankfurt show: F1 champ Vettel ‘designs’ Infiniti FX

FORMULA 1 world champion Sebastian Vettel has helped design a modified version of his company car, the Infiniti FX luxury crossover, which he will personally unveil at the Frankfurt motor show on September 13.

The aggressive-looking concept predictably features plenty of F1-inspired carbon-fibre accoutrements, including a combined lower air intake and spoiler that closely resembles an F1 car’s front wing, plus carbon-fibre side-skirts, door mirror caps and sizeable rear wing.

The Vettel-tweaked FX appears to be the facelifted model announced earlier this month and features a ‘pinched’ four-bar grille similar to that of the recently revealed JX seven-seat SUV with which it will share stand space at Frankfurt.

The aggressive theme is carried through to how the car sits, with its wheelarches riding low over huge black alloys.

Vettel badges on the front guards replace the side indicator lights.

Technical details are scarce but under the skin of the FX could be a tuned version of Infiniti’s 290kW 5.0-litre V8 plus an uprated chassis to provide improved dynamics.

The interior is rumoured to feature an F1-inspired multi-function steering wheel.

Mr Vettel – team-mate to Australian F1 driver Mark Webber at Red Bull Racing F1 –was announced as global ambassador for Nissan’s luxury brand in May following the announcement in March that Infiniti would sponsor the team that takes its engines from Nissan’s alliance partner Renault.

The Infiniti line-up is set to make its Australian debut in September 2012 with a three-model launch line-up in an attempt to muscle in on Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Audi, Lexus and other premium brands.

The FX is expected to be the cornerstone of Infiniti’s range in Australia and will be joined by the M executive sedan range and a BMW 3 Series-rivalling G line-up that comprises sedan, coupe and convertible variants.