Infiniti delays launch of 'performance' QX80 Red Sport SUV

The Japanese have decided to postpone the debut of a previously announced 'hot' new model by roughly a year. An indicative price tag is already known.

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

It is worth noting that the current SUV is powered by a petrol-fuelled 456-horsepower bi-turbo V6 engine with a displacement of 3.5 litres, delivering a maximum torque of 700 Nm. The engine is paired with a nine-speed hydromechanical automatic gearbox, with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive. Nevertheless, the company had previously been seriously considering producing a 'performance' version of the Infiniti QX80 with a more powerful setup.

The result of these explorations were two concepts. In August 2025, the Japanese brand presented the Infiniti QX80 Track Spec. This show car was equipped with the same bi-turbo six-cylinder engine, but with a different turbocharging system and a revised exhaust system. As a result, the engine's maximum power increased to 659 hp, and torque to 1016 Nm.

The second concept – the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec – was shown in October last year. It was fitted with a modified bi-turbo V6 engine from the VR38DETT series with a displacement of 3.8 litres, which the show car 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 1014 hp.

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

Moreover, the 'hot' variant was originally planned to appear in December 2026. However, it has now emerged that the debut timeline for the 'performance' new model is likely to shift: according to Automotive News, the release date for 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 upcoming new model.

"We know we only have one chance to make a first impression when it comes to this type of product," Eric Ledieu, head of Infiniti in North and South America, told the agency. "Once we started working on the project, we realised that power alone is not enough." Incidentally, it is expected that the power output of the 'hot' version will exceed the previously assumed 608 hp. In addition, the QX80 Red Sport will likely 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. Currently, on one of the model's key markets, the United States, the price of such an SUV stands at $103,285 (equivalent to approximately 8.07 million roubles at the current exchange rate). This means that purchasing the Red Sport variant would cost roughly $133,300 (around 10.4 million roubles).