Holy horsepower, Batman! This Infiniti QX80 R-Spec isn’t just flashy…it’s packing some serious grunt.
When Infiniti first launched the new QX80, one of its biggest changes came with its new 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 powertrain. You’d think that would form the basis of a new SEMA concept build when the automaker lands in Las Vegas next week — something like the QX80 Track Spec concept it showed off during Monterey Car Week. But oh no…Infiniti is going one better here. In fact, it’s going 650 better, as this GT-R-powered QX80 R-Spec model makes a cool 1,000 horsepower.
Of course, the VR38DETT engine at the core of this R-Spec build sees quite a few changes to handle that much power. Infiniti’s engineers fit custom Garrett G-Sseries turbochargers, a custom intake with twin front-mount intercoolers, exhaust manifolds and an upgraded fuel system with 2600-cc injectors, for a start. The crazy part about that overall 1,000-horsepower figure is that it’s not even close to what other folks have extracted from that engine — some have cranked things up to produce 1,600 hp or more. Nevertheless, this is still the most extreme QX80 we’ve seen yet.
Rounding out the powertrain changes, the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec also gets JE pistons, Bloostline rods and ARP connecting bolts to further toughen up the internals. It also gets R35-inspired exhaust pipes, a custom CNC tranmission adapter, CSF engine and transmission coolers, a MOTEC engine management system and an e-locker at the rear.
Beyond the power boost, the QX80 R-Spec also gets 24-by-12-inch wheels with 315 section-width Yokohama Parada Spec-X tires to help put all that power down. It also wears a custom body kit and coilover suspension that makes the car look far more aggressive, drops the ride height and improves aerodynamics. To bring things to a quick halt, the R-Spec also borrows the GT-R’s carbon ceramic brakes, though they see some tweaks here to handle the extra ton (literally) of weight.
And finally, because it wouldn’t be enough of a GT-R nod without it, the QX80 R-Spec gets the iconic Midnight Purple wrap to really hammer home this concept’s inspiration (the outgoing GT-R’s Takumi Edition).
While it will remain a one-off, Infiniti is coming to this year’s SEMA with a display of what their engineers can do when they’re able to let their hair down. We’ll have some more coverage of this insane QX80 next week when we’re on the ground in Las Vegas, so stay tuned for that.
