Infiniti to Emerg-E with a world first at GoodWood

An ‘Inspired Performance’ is guaranteed at the 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed – the first year that Infiniti, the performance luxury automotive brand from Japan, officially becomes a sponsor of the iconic motoring and motorsport celebration. Making its world dynamic debut on the hill climb will be Infiniti’s first running prototype of the range-extender sports car known as EMERG-E. When first shown at the 2012 Geneva motor show, the UK-designed and built concept won huge acclaim for its stunning looks and engineering ingenuity. Such a special car demands a safe pair of hands to guide it up the hill each day and they don’t come much safer than F1 pilot Mark Webber, lined up for the Saturday run. Jerry Hardcastle, Global Chief Marketability Engineer, commented: “The Festival of Speed crowds will be seeing EMERG-E in action for the first time ever, even before many of Infiniti’s top executives have seen it! Goodwood’s spectators will see not just an exquisite design but a superb example of Infiniti combining our own technologies with those of our partners to create an environmentally-friendly car, brimming with true Infiniti driver appeal.” Also powering up the Earl of March’s driveway will be the Infiniti FX ‘Vettel Edition’ and of course there could only be one man to drive it: confirmed for Sunday is F1 double World Champion, Sebastian Vettel himself. With just 50 units confirmed for Europe this limited production FX is one of the world’s most exclusive SUV’s. Lighter and more aerodynamic, with 30% greater downforce, the 420PS FX ‘Vettel Edition’ is virtually unchanged from the Frankfurt Motor Show concept and ranks as Infiniti’s most powerful car as well as its most expensive (starting from £100,800). This will be the first chance to see the vehicle in action ahead of deliveries which begin in the first quarter of 2013. The third Infiniti going up the hill will be the M35h hybrid. The world’s fastest-accelerating petrol/electric hybrid saloon, delivering 41mpg and producing only 159g/km CO2, will power past the festival crowd each day. Between runs the Infiniti M will take pride of place in the FoS-Tech arena. Uniquely located between the Supercar Paddock and Goodwood House, in the welcoming luxury of Infiniti’s ‘Inspired Performance’ lounge will be another world champion that partners the brand: the Infiniti-sponsored Red Bull Racing RB7 race car that took both Red Bull Racing and Sebastian Vettel to Formula One Championship titles in 2011. “Like the Festival of Speed, Infiniti is driven by performance which is why it is a pleasure for us to take a leading role in this year’s event,” said Bernard Loire, Vice President Infiniti Europe, Africa and Middle East. “The display both on the track and in the Infiniti lounge embodies the company’s unique approach in such an exciting way.” The Earl of March added: “I am delighted to welcome Infiniti to the Goodwood family, with its distinctive and highly-original way of showcasing its products and brand philosophy. I am proud that Infiniti has chosen the Festival of Speed to dynamically debut exciting products such as the FX Vettel edition and EMERG-E concept globally.” As well as display cars, Infiniti’s ‘Inspired Performance’ lounge will feature a winning piece of work from the Infiniti Digital Art Competition, titled ‘Value Added’, along with automotive/fashion inspired photographs by Jacques Cochin – presented in a relaxing environment that extends the hospitality of the brand’s unique Infiniti Centres to all of Goodwood’s visitors. From motoringnews