Originally called QX56 due to its 5.6-liter V8, the QX series became the QX80 for the 2014 model year. Introduced in 2010, the second generation was facelifted twice. It's high time for Infiniti to launch an extensive redesign of its body-on-frame sport utility vehicle, a redesign that might drop next year.
Codenamed Z63 as opposed to Z62 for the second generation, the newcomer has been previewed at Pebble Beach in the form of the QX Monograph concept. It's not the first one, though. Back in April 2017, the Nissan-owned automaker lifted the veils off the QX80 Monograph concept, which previewed the 2018 model year second facelift of the second-generation QX80.
As the headline implies, Nissan is expected to drop the naturally-aspirated V8 in favor of a force-fed sixer. A twin-turbo V6 seems to be the right call for this application, more so if you remember that segment competitors also flaunt six cylinders and spinny lads.
The 3.4-liter V6 of the Lexus LX comes to mind, together with the 3.5-liter V6 of the Lincoln Navigator. Unibody competitors also pack six cylinders as standard. Think 3.0-liter I6 for the BMW X7 xDrive40i and 3.0-liter I6 for the Mercedes-Benz GLS 450 4MATIC.
Rather than developing a brand-new platform, Nissan is rumored to update the F-Alpha vehicle architecture one last time for this fellow and the next-gen Armada. In other markets, the Armada is known as the Patrol. Turning our attention back to the concept, what makes the QX Monograph stand out from the QX80 currently available to configure from $72,700? First and foremost, eye-catching design traits.
Photo: Infiniti
Infiniti makes a statement with the anti-wedge profile of the concept, which gives a sense of motion to the sport utility vehicle. A seven-/eight-seat sport utility vehicle, that is. Infiniti couldn't be bothered with finalizing this concept's interior, hence the lack of interior pictures.
The sophisticated-looking behemoth dons a special paint dubbed Akane, which – translated from Japanese – means deep red. The designers behind the QX Monograph took inspiration from bamboo forests for the front grille. At the very top of the radiator grille, a narrow light strip is flanked by the headlights.
A three-dimensional illuminated emblem brings the point home, and props to Infiniti for giving the middle finger to the flat logo trend that everyone and their dog seems to be crazy about nowadays. The rear end is pretty cool in its own right, yet the rear bumper's openings have an afterthought quality about them.
Infiniti would share anything about what's hiding under the skin of the QX Monograph, nor did the Japanese automaker share an ETA for the next-generation QX80. For future reference, the 2023 model produces 400 horsepower at 5,800 rpm, 413 pound-feet (560 Nm) at 4,000 rpm, weighs 5,701 pounds (2,586 kilograms) in Luxe RWD attire, and promises up to 16 miles per gallon (14.7 liters per 100 kilometers) combined.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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