- Infiniti could launch a hotter QX80 variant with 600 horsepower.
- This could be a ‘first step’ towards a model inspired by the 650-horsepower QX80 Track Spec.
- The high-performance QX80 will allegedly go on sale next spring.
Over the past few years, Infiniti has scaled back its portfolio, killing off many of its cars and focusing on crossovers and SUVs. In 2024, the company launched the new QX80, which will soon spawn a high-performance version.
Brian Maragno, the luxury brand’s director of product marketing, said Automotive News that this new variant will be the “first step” to offer an SUV version inspired by the QX80 Track Spec concept. This new QX80 variant will offer an “additional level of performance” but will not provide “full” performance.
Photo by: Infiniti
The hotter QX80 will allegedly make 600 horsepower and go on sale next spring, according to “a person familiar with the plans” who spoke with the publication. The car may have 24-inch wheels, S badging and large red brake calipers. Maragno said A that the changes would be “noticeable but not drastic”.
The regular QX80 packs a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 that produces 450 hp and 515 pound-feet of torque. The flashier QX80 will probably come with a Red Sport badge, at a 10 percent price premium over the regular model.
The 2026 QX80 starts at $85,940 (including destination), and an extra 10 percent will raise that to about $95,000. Infiniti allegedly plans to produce just 600 units of the cooler QX80.
Motorcycle Pickup1: If Infiniti is serious about competing with Mercedes-AMG and BMW M, it needs to offer a proper lineup of high-performance cars. The 600-horsepower QX80 is a great start, but we’re excited to see where it goes.
