Beshoff Infiniti

The Infiniti FX has always been a bit of a wild child in the premium crossover segment. It has a polarizing exterior style, and it's capable of reaching illegal speeds rather quickly. Infiniti has partnered up with Formula One racer Sebastian Vettel to make it even more extreme, and the result is the (rather blandly named) Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version.

What does it take for a F1 star to apply his moniker to anything other than a sports car? Money. Serious upgrades to the overall performance of the vehicle. Vettel worked with Infiniti engineers to transform the FX50 into a lower, sleeker machine. The vehicle sits 20 millimeters lower and wears aero bits that help improve its coefficient of drag by 30 percent.

Those changes are rather welcome because Vettel wanted the FX bearing his name to hit a pretty impressive speed target. The goal was 300 kilometers per hour (186 miles per hour), and this Infiniti FX Vettel Version is capable of achieving that mark.

Engineers were able to squeeze an additional 30 horsepower out of the 5.0-liter V8, bringing total output up to 414 horses. This was done by way of a new exhaust system and reflashing the the engine's computer. Still, 186 mph is a tough task for a bulky vehicle like the FX, so taller gearing was called for. Despite this, Infiniti says the Vettel FX manages to run from 0-60 miles per hour quicker than the standard FX50.

For the moment, the special FX is considered a concept car, though the rumormill has suggested for some time that Infiniti is working toward premium performance models with their cohorts from Red Bull Racing, so a production derivative isn't entirely out of the question. Read more about the Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version by checking out the full press release posted after the jump.

Continue reading Infiniti FX Sebastian Vettel Version unveiled by... Sebastian Vettel

To say that Red Bull has found success in Formula One would be a gross understatement. The energy drink concern bought its way into the pinnacle of motorsports and, after several seasons of building up the team that started life as Stewart Grand Prix and then became Jaguar Racing, has already secured itself both championship titles and is well on its way to repeating the feat.

That's the kind of success that Infiniti - whose sister company Renault provides Red Bull's engines - is keen to tap into. And tap into it they have, prominently sponsoring the team, recruiting its top driver Sebastian Vettel as brand ambassador and unveiling a special edition FX crossover here in Frankfurt. And just beside it sat this mockup of the current RB7 grand prix car.

Though it surely doesn't pack all the mechanical bits of the car with which Vettel and his wingman Mark Webber are winning race after race, you wouldn't know it from looking at the machine up close. See for yourself in our high-resolution gallery of live images.

On Tuesday, August 23, a lone 2012 Infiniti M35h ripped down the UK's rain-drenched Santa Pod Raceway and sped into the record books as the world's quickest hybrid vehicle.

Driven by Tim Pollard, associate editor of the UK's Car Magazine, and overseen by Guinness World Records, the 360-horsepower M35h dashed down the quarter-mile track in 13.9031 seconds (average of all runs). The quickest run of the day tripped the clock at 13.8960 seconds. In describing the M35h's record-setting run, Pollard stated, "At Santa Pod you could feel the instant torque of the electric motor away from standstill - the car just leapt off the line."

Lest you think it's only quick for a hybrid, Infiniti points out that, in the hierarchy of quick vehicles, the M35h's time puts it on a par with the following performance icons:

• 1982 Lamborghini Countach S: 13.9 secs
• 1998 BMW M3: 13.8 secs
• 2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante: 13.6 secs
• 2007 Porsche 911 Carrera: 13.6 secs
• 1966 Shelby Cobra: 13.5 secs
• 1964 Ferrari 250 GTO: 13.5 secs

The M35h scoots from 0 to 62 miles per hour in 5.5 seconds and tops out at 155 mph. On the consumption side, the M35h snagged an official EPA rating of 27/32 mpg city/highway, with a combined rating of 29 mpg. Currently, the M35h is North America's only 350-plus horsepower, 30-plus mpg highway vehicle. Feel free to read all the details in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Infiniti M35h sets hybrid 1/4-mile Guinness World Record

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The Frankfurt Motor Show may be a German car show, but it is host to automakers from around the world. The number and variety of automakers grows, once again, this year, as Infiniti marks their first showing at the event. In the Japanese automaker's opening remarks, they reaffirmed their passion for making use of subtle curves, distinct edges, and their overall passion for performance.

We here at Beshoff Infiniti know that the luxury automaker…

We here at Beshoff Infiniti know that luxury car-buyers want the most that they can get out of their next vehicle. What if you could have the rugged utility of a crossover and as smooth ride of a sports sedan? Does that sound like what you've envisioned for your next ride? Well, according to independent reviewers, the Infiniti EX offers drivers the best of both worlds, which is why we thought we'd take…

In addition to the JX Concept, Infiniti has rolled out another new model here in Monterey: the 2013 IPL G Convertible.

Like its coupe sibling, the IPL (for Infiniti Performance Line) is more about handling and appearance than outright power. The 3.7-liter VQ37HR V6 benefits from the same breathing mods, delivering 348 horsepower and 276 pound-feet of torque through either a six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic gearbox. The body has been festooned with the same angular front and rear fascias, along with 19-inch wheels and a reworked suspension with stiffer springs at all four corners.

The IPL G Convertible concept that debuted in Paris earlier this year (and pictured above at Infiniti's tent in Pebble Beach) is almost exactly what will be available when sales begin in the spring of next year. Hit the jump for the full details.

Continue reading Infiniti announces IPL G Convertible in Monterey

Infiniti today announced that it will double its Infiniti Performance Line lineup of premium performance vehicles in spring 2012 with the addition of a new 2013 IPL G Convertible.

Infiniti today announced U.S. pricing for the 2012 Infiniti QX full-size luxury SUV and 2012 Infiniti EX luxury crossover. Both are on sale now at Infiniti retailers nationwide.

Infiniti released the first image of its upcoming concept car, which makes its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show on September 13th.