Infiniti Announces Vettel as Director of Performance and Reveals Prices of New Models

InfinitiInfinitiJapan, 1989 > present31 models
993 photos
5 videos
made some major announcements at the New York Auto Show including that Sebastian Vettel be the brand's official Director of Performance and pricing for the new QX60 HybridInfiniti QX60 HybridJapan, 2014 > present1 photo
and Q50Infiniti Q50Japan, 2013 > present12 versions
26 photos
sedan. 

Vettel’s role will be to provide feedback to engineers on the development of new models. Infiniti says that the first model he gave his opinion on was the new Q50. He and Sebastien Buemi drove pre-production Q50s in Japan, around the Nürburgring and at the Circuit de Catalunya.

"As our technical collaboration with Infiniti Red Bull Racing continues to deepen, so does our relationship with Sebastian who will be crucial to the development of our future vehicle line-up, ensuring Infiniti stands for passion and performance in a brand that challenges the status quo,” said Infiniti President Johan de Nysschen

Infiniti also used the auto show to announce US pricing for its new QX60 Hybrid and Q50 sedan.

The Q50 will start at $36,450 in the US, which is $900 lower than the outgoing G37Infiniti G37 SportJapan, 2009 > present2 photos
. It will come standard with adaptive power steering and active lane control. The base engine will be the same 3.7-liter V6 from the G37, and the other engine option will be a hybrid with a 3.5-liter V6. Both cars will be available with either rear- or all-wheel drive.

The QX60 Hybrid will start around $44,000 and shares a platform and engines with the Pathfinder Hybrid. It gets the same 2.5-liter supercharged four-cylinder with a electric motor and range over 500 miles.