Kit Car Magazine

For first time, some foreign media published an imaginary map of new Infiniti QX80. As highest positioned Infiniti SUV, it is also very popular in North American market. However, while current model has been updated to a 2023 model, it's essentially not much different from 10-year-old model and it's time for a facelift.

Going back to most imaginary picture based on spy photos of test car, I have to say that I captured design idea behind new Infiniti car. The oversized grille is full of dynamics. replaced with LED daytime running lights, and slimmer bulbs help improve technology feel. In addition to retaining family-style grille, underside has been substantially redesigned and air intake grille has been further enlarged to form a "smiling face" pattern.

The general side and rear views correspond to current model. Not surprisingly, addition of hidden door handles makes car's body look less old-fashioned. The taillights also keep up with trend and use a through-type design. The light group layout is clearly borrowed from new QX60, and bumper design is also thicker, so mass production is not ugly.

Mechanical changes may be more than anticipated. The current model is powered by a 5.6L V8 engine only. Obviously, it is difficult to meet increasingly stringent emission standards. Rumor has it that a new turbocharged V6 engine will be provided. but news has not been confirmed.

Overview

As a full-size SUV aimed at North American market, Infiniti QX80 has been an unexpected success in China. Although original price in domestic market was close to 1.6 million dollars, but with a more domineering design and luxurious interior style, combined with fairly good mechanical performance at that time, it also had good sales in China. However, with changes in market, competitiveness of this car seems to be lacking: even after lowering price to just over a million, it still loses to Toyota models of same level. The Land Cruiser is gone forever.

It's hard to say if a new car will be able to enter country, but if emissions meet standards, it could also be presented as a parallel car. 2023 models actually have a lot of stock, and quotation is also about 1.2 million to 1.4 million yuan. For a large displacement luxury SUV, this price is acceptable, but since large displacement can be accepted given cheap price. there are quite a few Nissan Armadas, and QX80's appeal isn't great. If it can switch to a smaller turbocharged V6 and come back at right price, it won't be completely uncompetitive.