Vettel-Inspired Infiniti FX Concept Bound for Production

The Infiniti FX50 Performance Concept  inspired by F1 world champ Sebastian Vettel is bound for production, Infiniti announced on Tuesday. The concept was introduced last month at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show .

Details of the production version, including pricing and launch date, have not been revealed.

"Doing the FX Sebastian Vettel version for Frankfurt was fun, but it's also kind of a pilot," said Andy Palmer, Infiniti executive vice president, in a statement. "It's about our equivalent of Mercedes-Benz AMG or BMW M Cars. We wanted to test the organization and see if it could cope with this type of special version.

"Sebastian's FX demonstrates we are able to do low-volume specials, and the FX Sebastian Vettel version is one of the first that will go to market."

The concept is equipped with a 414-horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine and a high-downforce aerodynamics package developed by Infiniti in collaboration with Red Bull Racing. Infiniti is a sponsor of Vettel's Red Bull F1 racecar.

The production announcement comes on the heels of Vettel winning Sunday's Korean Grand Prix and clinching the constructors championship for Team Red Bull.

Infiniti said Vettel had a hand in designing the concept following a conversation with Infiniti Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.

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