Following an earlier image leak, our spy photographers have caught up with Infiniti’s next-generation QX flagship SUV. Infiniti confirmed earlier this year that a revised version of the company’s flagship QX SUV would bow sometime in 2010.
Even under yards of heavy wrap, there is no doubt what this is: the 2011 Infiniti QX. These are the very first photos of Infiniti’s flagship SUV out in public and doing real-world testing.
Up front, the big SUV is in store for a more flowing look. Although Infiniti’s bold grille is still front and center, it’s flanked by more stylized headlights, reminiscent of the recently unveiled Infiniti M sedan. A new bumper also looks to be part of the mix, as well as new fender vents just aft of the front wheels.
The rear of the QX also appears to be heavily reworked, featuring a design that is slightly suggestive of the Lexus LX. However, a sharp uptick in the QX’s belt line gives it a unique look.
Under the hood we definitely expect the return of a V8 – at least for U.S. consumers. The outgoing QX features a 320 horsepower 5.6-liter V8, and the latest QX will likely receive the same engine with little to no changes.
Sources are saying this all-new QX was engineered in Japan and will be riding on a unibody, different from today’s body-on-frame SUV. Although the shift from body-on-frame utility vehicles, known as CUVs is quite common, the practice has generally been limited to smaller vehicles. The QX would make for the largest CUV on the market, and potentially violate the rugged nature often demanded by large truck and SUV buyers.
We’re expecting the new QX to reach dealerships in the second or third quarter of 2010, with a price tag starting in the mid-$50,000 range.
10/20, 8:54 AM
posted by:
alsvw
infiniti should just building great cars. their suv’s turn out looking way to ghetto, and this new qx looks no different from the last ghetto qx.
10/20, 9:03 AM
posted by:
DenverGuy217
Hmm Infiniti, sometimes a rear pillar design that works rather well on a car does not do so on a large truck.
10/20, 9:04 AM
posted by:
jayjc08
Which was more expensive- the vehicle, or the thousand rolls of ductape they wrapped it in?
10/20, 9:08 AM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
For a company that tends to build at least decent, if not great looking cars… They sure screwed this ugly thing up…
10/20, 9:34 AM
posted by:
A4
Great… fender vents. Who decided to associate those with luxury again? Let’s kill her.
10/20, 9:42 AM
posted by:
Genesis101
ASLVW
what exactly is a ghetto car? unless its having rims bigger than it handle I don’t see GHETTO. You can’t call a car GAY either like some people (but that actually made me laugh.) I think this is actually nice, can’t wait to to see the new Armada.
10/20, 9:44 AM
posted by:
Genesis101
^^ just pointing something out, i get what your saying alsvw, but there’s worse terms you can use, i think ghetto is the wrong terminology for automobiles.
10/20, 10:09 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Unibody? You have to be kidding me! I mean these things practically live off-road… how are they going to hold up?
10/20, 10:27 AM
posted by:
rzegatl
gross
10/20, 10:43 AM
posted by:
Smegley Wanxalot
Johnny, the unibody will hold up off road with duct tape. [see pics]
10/20, 10:51 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
Yes… of course… the handyman’s secret weapon!
10/20, 10:54 AM
posted by:
vicdub85
Don’t hate cause you can’t afford it.
10/20, 11:18 AM
posted by:
johnnycanuck
vicdub… just how the hell do you know what it is that contributors to this forum can or cannot afford? And what relevance does it have on the conversation? It’s not a f*cking Bentley or a Ferrari it’s a gussied up Nissan so I’ll bet you lots of us could make the stretch if we so chose. Apparently the opinion is we’d rather spend our money on something else.
10/20, 11:41 AM
posted by:
alsvw
genesis 101-
the current qx just looks like a blinged out nissan. or ghetto suv. the infiniti brand makes some great vehicles. like the new q45 or the current g37. but, they lost it on the qx suv.
10/20, 11:52 AM
posted by:
bmwmpower
Not one person made a positive comment about this SU-fail. Why? Cause Infinitefail fails.
Screw Nissan. Screw Inifinity. Screw the land of the rising sun.
Go German or go home.
10/20, 11:58 AM
posted by:
vicdub85
and Lexus is a gussied up Toyota. and Acura is a gussied up Honda. and Cadillac is a gussied up Chevrolet. Yada Yada..
Those who can drop cash on this wouldn’t be on this forum at 9-10 am complaining on how this thing is ugly.
Infiniti doesn’t make cookie cutter vehicles. They’re curvy and unique, which makes them stand out.
10/20, 12:17 PM
posted by:
RaineMan
They haven’t deep-sixed this gas guzzling behemoth yet? I mean really, how many did they even sell last year?
10/20, 1:06 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Oh look… a GERMAN fanboy now… And this one can’t spell Infiniti…
10/20, 1:12 PM
posted by:
PerformanceGuy
Looks good so far.
10/20, 1:37 PM
posted by:
toledojake
If you consider the competition, Lexus, Land Rover, Navigator, this thing is not so bad and likely a much better value. The Lexus is a gussied up Land Cruiser, the Navigator an expensive pickup (as was the last Infiniti) and I’d take my chances on an Infiniti over a Land Rover any day. People love their SUVs and will always want one that says I’ve made it. Any rational choice would not include Navigators, Land Rovers etc. on their shopping list. A few sales of the Q’s goes a long way in off setting many, many Versa sales.
10/20, 5:09 PM
posted by:
mitzo
Should cost $150,000 if a logical system of taxing vehicle size and weight were in effect.
10/20, 8:39 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
I use to be a fan of Infiniti. Now I can’t look at any of their new models. I loved the QX4 and then they replaced it with that sneaker looking FX. And then they made it look even worst when they redesigned it last year. Their other models are hideous. The M use to be a great looking car. Now the 2011 model has the same shovel nose that the other models do. I waiting for them to give the G37 a horrid makeover to complete the lineup of luxury plows.
10/20, 8:39 PM
posted by:
2WheeledSpeed
Under that system would my bikes be like 50 bucks each?
10/20, 8:51 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
Another thing I dont get is why does europe get the more powerful and fuel efficient 3.7L in the EX and FX while we here in America are stuck with the 3.5L which is less powerful and consumes more fuel. I guess they assume that us americans don’t like more powerful cars that are more fuel efficient and like them boring and the more gas it cunsumes the better.
10/20, 10:22 PM
posted by:
DrFill
Looks pretty bad-ass
Stay well below the LX, in the $50’s, and they will come
Good job
DrFill
10/21, 6:17 PM
posted by:
idrinorbarsaku
ahh what??? The FX didn’t replace the QX4!!! the qx4’s production just stopped, I wouldn’t be surprised if it started up again!
10/22, 3:24 AM
posted by:
gritsandeggs
I love the BMWness of Infiniti to Lexus’ Mercedes, but, unless Infiniti steps up is visibility and image (ie product placement on 90210, Desperate Housewives), it will never dawn on folks like a Bimmer or a Lexus does.
10/22, 12:54 PM
posted by:
85ZingoGTR
The FX is considered to be the successor to the QX4. Even though one is body-on-frame and the other is a crossover.
10/24, 1:42 AM
posted by:
Pareidolius
It looks like one of those deep sea creatures that bloats and distorts as it approaches the surface. They should have left this one down in the abyss. And grits, you left out placement on “Real Housewives of (fill in the blank)”, that’s where the market for this level of stupid is.
12/14, 8:51 PM
posted by:
speedcruzr
Cool! Wow, this QX is totally pimpin’ AND it’s gonna be made in Japan! My made-in-the-US Mercedes ML has had sooooo many electrical and mechanical problems. I should’ve read Consumer Reports before I leased it. I thought german engineering was supposed to good?
Also, this QX doesn’t have the predictable (read: boring) lines of many SUVs out there. I drove a co-workers 2008 QX earlier this year and loved it. Much more nimble than my ML and waaay more powerful than the ML and my friend’s weakling (and also made-in-the-US) BMW X5. The Bimmer and Mercedes felt anemic!
If this QX is better made than the current Mississippi-made QX56, and if it has more power, I’m craigslisting my ML for cheap! Anyone interested?
02/17, 1:24 PM
posted by:
zubiee
This car is an epic fail. It looks like they took an lx 570 body and threw on some g37 headlights and some ex taillights, while keeping that huge bbq grill from the previous model. I hope they make some major improvements to this car because it looks like straight crap.
02/19, 12:45 PM
posted by:
winfl55
Apparantly some people here don’t know that this is the same SUV that has been sold in Europe. Also, I own a FX50 sport, and the similarities in the front end are obvious, if you see the uncovered photos. So, I guess they, in saying it is following a Lexus, don’t really know what they are talking about. As, far as a ghetto cruiser, the Caddilac has that pure distinction. The QX is far too coservative and not flashy enough for that. I am more concerned with the technollogy, engine and size. Have heard it will have the same tech as the FX50 sport. Lane change warning and correction, auto slow behind car in front and stop to 0 MPH and intelligent cruise, all tops on my list plus the otehr incredible saftey features. The exterior is secondary. Have heard the engine could be a V8 520 cc w/400HP. Love it. Also, seat 7-8 is necessary for me.