- Infiniti is expected to unveil a Sebastian Vettel-themed model at the Frankfurt auto show.
- Vettel, the current Formula 1 champion, is a spokesman for the Japanese luxury brand.
- Infiniti is a sponsor of the championship Team Red Bull grand prix effort.
FRANKFURT, Germany — Nissan's Infiniti luxury brand is expected to reveal a Sebastian Vettel-themed model at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show next month.
Details are scarce, but a video clip showing Vettel discussing details of a future car with Shiro Nakamura, chief of design for Nissan/Infiniti, is stirring some Internet discussion.
Vettel, 24, is 2010 Formula 1 champion and the runaway leader in this year's driver standings. The German superstar races for Team Red Bull, whose racecars are powered by Renault F1 engines and carry the Infiniti logo as a sponsor.
Infiniti signed Vettel as a global representative in May, two months after its alignment as "a major partner" with Red Bull was announced. He has taken part in a schedule of public-relations activities, including sessions with automotive journalists, in conjunction with F1 events around the globe.
Renault and Nissan entered into a corporate alliance in 1999 in a trailblazing partnership of French and Japanese companies. At that time, Infiniti was an engine supplier for the American Indy Racing League in competition with General Motors engines branded first as Oldsmobile and later as Chevrolet.
The effort yielded only two victories, both by Eddie Cheever, at Pikes Peak International Raceway in 2001 and Kansas Speedway in 2002.
The Vettel-themed Infiniti car could be anything from a trim-package edition of the Infiniti Performance Line (IPL) G37 coupe to a newly developed or dramatically revised model, a notion which has been rumored since early in the collaboration between Infiniti and Red Bull.
The video clip, reportedly shot in Geneva in March, shows Vettel and Nakamura looking at images of a new car and focuses on a high-tech steering wheel from an F1 machine.
Inside Line says: Somehow, the shape of an F1 steering "wheel" doesn't seem to lend itself to practical street use, but there are plenty of ways Infiniti might exploit its relationship with Vettel from both a performance and an appearance standpoint.
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mau19 says:
08:25 PM, 08/27/2011
As a fan of Scuderia Ferrari I'm not very fond of Sebastian Vettel or Team RedBull in particular. However, as much as I hate to admit Vettel is a very skilled driver. I think Infinity ( or Nissan for that sense) could have not picked a better driver to represent the brand. I was getting sick of seeing Nascar themed cars, and to see a Formula 1 inspired vehicle that is also inspired by one of the best drivers of the 21st century is a welcomed change of pace. Good job Nissan.
smallfield says:
06:49 PM, 08/27/2011
Four door luxury biased GTR - sold!
bravo1ve says:
08:25 PM, 08/26/2011
It is probably just going to be an appearance package for a G series coupe or sedan. Now if they really wanted to surprise us, they could have a new Infiniti based off the GTR engine / chassis. Considering that the first IPL packages have been really unimpressive so far, this is an opportunity to make a package that takes everything to a new level. In order for it not to be a direct conflict with the Nissan side of the house though, it would most likely have to be four door and with a much higher trim level... so ultimately it would be as fast or slower than the GTR but that would be a true competition for an M3, RS4, C63, etc.
vikasdesai says:
06:28 PM, 08/26/2011
infiniti on vettel's tip, way to go guys, i think its a good move, vettel is the truly next great driver, we thought alonso and hamilton were but vettel has passed them, its a good way to get infiniti into the euro market. Its done quite well in the U.S.