Infiniti apparently decided a hot version of its flagship QX80 SUV needs some more time in the oven.
As ferociously competitive as even the full-size SUV market is these days, there are really only a few players around if you want absolute, insane performance. There’s the BMW X7 M60i, the Mercedes-AMG GLS63, the Audi SQ7 and the Cadillac Escalade-V. Short of going for something slightly smaller (like a Dodge Durango SRT Hellcat) or jumping into the ultra-premium segment, those are pretty much your options. Earlier this year, Infiniti showed off a special QX80 concept and reports surfaced that it was working on a hot Red Sport version to take on the high-power competition. However, according to a new Automotive News report, the automaker is headed back to the drawing board and delaying its launch by several months.
Per that report, Infiniti said the original plan — previewed by the QX80 Track Spec concept — “lacked the depth needed to to credibly challenge” the competition. That’s probably a good reason to have a bit of a rethink, particularly when you’re a brand that’s been working to establish a clear and consistent identity in a space that demands its customers fork over huge lumps of cash just to take part.
The Infiniti QX80 Red Sport was reportedly going to hit dealers later this summer. That time frame is now out the window, possibly by as much as a full year. That means the production model may hit the scene just in time for a wider mid-cycle refresh for the 2028 QX80 models.
What will we get for the wait? Well, the Track Spec promised at least 600 horsepower, reworked suspension, beefier brakes and (naturally) wider fenders and other sporty bits for looks and aerodynamics. Vice President of Infiniti Americas Eric Ledieu told Automotive News, “As we have started to work on the project, we’re realizing that power alone is not sufficient. We know we have one chance at a first impression when it comes to this time of product. When you’re paying six figures for a performance-based SUV of this size and scale, it needs to deliver.”
Keep in mind, the R-Spec SEMA build took the QX80 to over 1,000 horsepower…and while a production Red Sport probably won’t go that nuts, it does get you thinking about how much more potent Infiniti’s full-size SUV could be.
For reference, the standard QX80 packs a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 kicking out 450 horsepower. The 600 horses Infiniti initially promised with the Track Spec was already a big bump, but it certainly sounds like we’re going to get a QX80 Red Sport that’s even more hardcore by 2028. With such power comes an even higher price tag (we’re talking well into the $100Ks), but if this report proves accurate, we could be in for one hell of a performance flagship from Infiniti.
You know how the saying goes about counting chickens, so we’ll have to wait and see. Ledieu is right about needing to stick the landing here, however, so here’s hoping that extra time will cook up a serious (and seriously awesome) performance SUV.
