The announcement was made by Nissan Executive Vice President Andy Palmer at an interview for the company's corporate blog.
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At this week's 64 International Auto Show in Frankfurt, the Japanese automaker put the spotlight on a one-off Infiniti FX50 designed in conjunction with Vettel. The special crossover features a host of aerodynamic, styling and mechanical improvements, all designed with Vettel's input.
Sebastian Vettel, who already owns an FX as Infiniti's Global Brand Ambassador [sic...], cooperated with the company's engineers to create the concept model that sports several changes over the standard production version both mechanically and cosmetically.
The new pictures show that along with the revamped front end that sports a carbon fiber apron shaped like an F1 car's front wing, the carbon fiber mirrors and side sills, the one-off FX50 also sports a new rear bumper design with a diffuser made out of –you guessed it- carbon fiber.
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The Infiniti FX50 Performance Concept was inspired by reigning Formula One World Champion and Red Bull driver, Sebastian Vettel. The 24-year old German, who is Infiniti's first ever Global Brand Ambassador, is said to have helped in the design of the FX50 study.
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Four months ago, before the Shanghai Grand Prix, the 24-year old world champion who is already an Infiniti “ambassador” drove an Infiniti FX50 in a demonstration (as you can watch in the video that follows) describing it as “sporty” and “very well handling”.
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The apparently intoxicated owner of this black Infiniti FX along with his equally messed up friends went berserk on a Russian beach (or at least the person who uploaded the video on Youtube claims that the incident took place in Russia) and put everyone in danger including themselves when they drove the Japanese crossover into and out of the sea.
In their third attempt to show their pedigree to beach goers they managed to sink the Infiniti, which of course was flooded with sea water once the driver opened the door... Follow the break to watch the video for yourself.
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The Japanese company said it will create Infiniti Centres in each of the three major east coast capitals of the country in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane. The initial lineup will include the FX sport crossover, G37 hardtop convertible and coupe, and the M luxury sedan.
"As part of Infiniti's worldwide expansion, Australia is a mandatory next step for the luxury brand," said Dan Thompson CEO, Infiniti Cars Australia. "In a little more than a year, the promise of luxury vehicles with a unique combination of inspired performance, attentive hospitality and unparalleled quality will become a reality for the Australian market.”
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"In 2011, Western Europe will be somewhere between 7,000 and 8,000 units" said Infiniti Europe Vice President Jim Wright in an interview with Automotive News. That is a substantial increase over the 4,500 units sold in the 2010 fiscal year ending March 31, albeit still not even close to challenging the other premium automakers in Europe (i.e. BMW sold 45,600 cars in January 2011 alone).
And true enough, Infiniti has now presented its first ever diesel engine with the arrival of a newly developed 3.0-litre V6 that will be launched this year in Europe on the EX and FX SUVs as well as the M sedan.
Designated V9X, the new 238HP V6 diesel has been developed in Europe by Infiniti engineers working with other engineers from Renault and Nissan and it can be used to power front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and four-wheel drive models. It is manufactured in Cleon in France, some 100km west of Paris.
Renault premiered its version of the 3.0-liter V6 dCi turbo diesel in the Laguna Coupe at the 2008 Paris Motorshow, in October. On this model it produces 235HP and 450 Nm (332.9 lbs-ft) of torque.
There are a number of key differences between the Infiniti engine and the version used in front-wheel drive applications.
As used in Infiniti models, the V6 diesel has a different cylinder block, a new design of crankshaft as well as new or revised intake manifold, fuel injection system, exhaust gas recirculation, turbocharger, oil sump and manifold catalyst. Furthermore, Infiniti claims that it is tuned differently for more responsive performance.
In the EX30d and FX30d, the 3.0-liter V6 diesel produces a maximum output of 238 horsepower and a heft 550Nm or 405 lb-ft of peak torque available from 1,750 rpm to 2,500 rpm, while as much as 500 Nm or 368.7 lb-ft is available from a mere 1,500 rpm.
In order to fit under the the bonnet of both the EX and FX models, Infiniti went ahead and created a new front subframe, altered the front bumper designs to enhance air flow into the engine bay and redesigned the sheet metal within the engine bay to house additional radiators needed for cooling.
Matted to a standard 7-speed Automatic transmission, the V6 turbo diesel propels the EX30d to 100km/h (62mph) in 7.9 seconds and the FX30d in 8.3 seconds.
The EX30d returns a combined fuel figure of 8.4 lt/100km (28mpg US or 33.6mpg UK) in the European cycle with 224 g/km of CO2. The equivalent figures for FX are and 9.0 lt/100km (26.1mpg US or 31.8mpg) and 240 g/km.
"The new diesel engine allows us access to a far greater sector of the market without compromising on our core values. More than that, it's an exceptional engine, with impressive torque from very low revs helping to deliver progressive, linear acceleration with none of the typical disadvantages of unwanted noise and vibrations," says Jim Wright, Vice President, Infiniti Europe.
"By creating a bespoke sporting diesel, we have been able to maintain the combination of performance and luxury expected from an Infiniti with the added bonus of lower emissions and improved fuel economy. It's a win-win position," Wright added.
Infiniti's European division will first launch the EX30d and FX30d onto the market with the M30d to follow later in the year. The diesel models will have their world premiere at the Geneva Salon in the beginning of March.
The Renault-Nissan Alliance has said in the past that it wants to offer its new V6 diesel engine on certain Nissan and Infiniti models in the States, but the company has yet to announce specific plans.
Based on either the V6-powered FX37S or the V8-powered FX50S, the FX Limited Edition is offered in a Black Obsidian 'Scratch Guard' finish as standard and in a Moonlight White pearl metallic as an option.
Unique features on the outside include dark smoked headlight surrounds, specially commissioned 21-inch 'Turbine' design alloy wheels finished in dark Graphite, while the same finish is applied on the radiator grille, side air vents and roof rails.
Inside, the FX Limited Editions feature illuminated 'Infiniti' entry guards, carbon fiber trim that replaces the standard maple wood veneer, Graphite leather upholstered seats, upper door panels and dashboard with contrasting stitching and Alcantara headlining.
Finally, both engine variants are offered with a Connectiviti+ technology package that includes a fully integrated navigation, communication and entertainment system comprising an 11-speaker Bose Premium Sound System, the Michelin Guide, full iPod connectivity and a 10GB music box with Gracenotes database.
In the UK, pricing for the FX Limited Edition starts at £55,855 for the 320HP V6 engined FX37S rising to £62,035 for the 390HP, V8 powered FX50S.
The first Infiniti Centre in Europe will open in 
All of the sudden BMW’s X6 makes sense to other carmakers like Acura who from the looks of these scoop pictures taken in the California desert, is readying its own crossover-coupe hybrid. Other than these photos from Car Magazine, there’s not much information going around the Japanese automaker’s newest proposition that will rival large-crossovers like the BMW X6 and the Infiniti FX. However, we'll try to find out more details on the yet unnamed Acura so stay tuned.Via: Car
