Just ahead of the weekend’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, Infiniti Director of Performance, Sebastian Vettel took to the race track early to drive the all-new Infiniti Q50 – the car he helped develop. The new four-time consecutive Formula One Drivers’ World Champion took the wheel of a production specification Q50 to demonstrate to guests how his development input has shaped this significant new Infiniti vehicle.
Vettel drove the 328hp, 3.7-liter V6 Q50 on the tight and twisting Al Forsan venue in Abu Dhabi. The Infiniti Director of Performance was keen to show his passengers the dynamic qualities of the all-new sedan, in its full production specification. Sebastian Vettel said: “It’s great to be able to demonstrate the final production version of the Q50 on this challenging circuit. I have enjoyed working on this car in my Director of Performance role for Infiniti, and I am really impressed with the final result and what Infiniti’s talented engineers have achieved with the car following my feedback. I’m looking forward to spending even more time in the Q50 now it is on sale, and also immersing myself in the development of Infiniti’s new premium compact model.”
The Infiniti Q50 is the first of a new breed in Infiniti’s quest to challenge established brands in the premium automotive sector. It sets the fresh design, performance and technology direction for new generation of Infiniti vehicles. The all-new Q50 brings distinctive design, engaging performance, world’s first technologies and unmatched levels of connectivity and personalization. While Infiniti sports sedans have always been noted for their outstanding proportions and presence, the new Infiniti Q50 adds a new dimension of premium style. Taking many of its seductive styling cues from the Infiniti concept trilogy – Essence, Etherea and Emerg-e, the Q50’s tight, athletic appearance blends low, wide proportions with excellent interior roominess.
Infiniti’s renowned performance comes in the shape of a refined 328-horsepower 3.7-litre V6 or 3.5-litre Hybrid featuring Infiniti’s Direct Response Hybrid System with Intelligent Dual Clutch Control. A 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine with 170PS, 400Nm of torque compliments the powertrain options. Direct Adaptive Steering, the world’s first steer-by-wire system in a production car, is the standout feature of Infiniti’s raft of intuitive technologies. DAS is a digitally enhanced steering connection — allowing for an unprecedented level of handling customizability and filtering out unwanted vibration. This Middle Eastern Q50 launch event marks the final stage of the model’s international rollout, with the new premium sports sedan now on sale in all Infiniti global markets. Sebastian Vettel will continue his role as Infiniti’s Director of Performance through the development of an upcoming premium compact model previewed in the Infiniti Q30 Concept.
