Infiniti delays launch of the "hot" QX80 Red Sport SUV

The Japanese have decided to push back the debut of the previously announced 'hot' new model by roughly a year. An indicative price tag has already been revealed.

Infiniti, the premium brand owned by Japanese company Nissan, has been producing its full-size SUV since 2004, although it was originally presented under the index QX56. The second generation arrived in 2010, and four years later the model underwent a facelift, during which it was renamed QX80. In March 2024, the current third-generation SUV was unveiled, and in August 2025 the line-up was joined by the Sport variant – with its own distinctive features, but with standard mechanicals.

It is worth noting that the current SUV is powered by a petrol-powered 456bhp twin-turbo V6 engine with a displacement of 3.5 litres, producing a maximum torque of 700Nm. The engine works in conjunction with a nine-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, with drive going to the rear or all four wheels. Nevertheless, the company had previously been seriously considering producing a 'performance' version of the Infiniti QX80 with a more powerful 'heart'.

The result of these deliberations was two concepts. In August 2025, the Japanese marque presented the Infiniti QX80 Track Spec. This show car was fitted with the same twin-turbo six-cylinder engine, albeit with a different turbocharging system and a revised exhaust system. As a result, the engine's maximum output increased to 659bhp, with torque rising to 1016Nm.

The second concept – the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec – was shown in October last year. It was equipped with an upgraded twin-turbo V6 engine from the VR38DETT series with a displacement of 3.8 litres, which was inherited from the Nissan GT-R Nismo. The engine received Garrett G-series turbochargers, a Motec engine management system, an air intake with two front intercoolers, ETS exhaust manifolds and an upgraded fuel system. The result was an increase in output from 608 to 1014bhp.

As previously reported, the production 'performance' SUV will be called the QX80 Red Sport. It is worth recalling that this suffix was previously used, for example, on the Infiniti Q50 saloon, which was retired in 2024, but the manufacturer is currently continuing work on preparing its successor. According to unconfirmed reports, the engine output of the Infiniti QX80 Red Sport was expected to be around 608bhp, with improved dynamics also promised.

Moreover, the 'hot' variant was originally scheduled to arrive in December 2026. However, it has now emerged that the debut of the 'performance' newcomer is likely to be delayed: according to Automotive News, the release date of the Infiniti QX80 Red Sport will probably be pushed back by more than a year. The company has attributed this to the need to review the project for the forthcoming model.

"We know we only have one chance to make a first impression when it comes to this type of product," Infiniti's head of North and South America, Eric Ledieu, told the agency. "Once we started working on the project, we realised that power alone is not enough." Incidentally, it is expected that the output of the 'hot' version's engine will exceed the previously anticipated 608bhp. In addition, the QX80 Red Sport is likely to receive upgrades to the chassis and braking system, as well as changes to the exterior and interior design.

According to preliminary data, the Infiniti QX80 Red Sport will be around $30,000 more expensive than the 'standard' QX80 Sport trim. At present, on one of the model's key markets, the United States, the price of such an SUV stands at $103,285 (equivalent to roughly 8.07 million roubles at the current exchange rate). This means that purchasing the Red Sport variant will set buyers back approximately $133,300 (around 10.4 million roubles).