A freshened 2018 Infiniti QX80 made its global debut at the Dubai Motor Show sporting a new front clip and revamped interior appointments. The redesign, which uses more crisply defined character lines contributes to the appearance that the new QX80 is longer.
With headlamps that wrap into the front corners of the fenders, the QX80 sports a revamped and more upright grille that is more in line with other vehicles in the Infiniti range. It has a more purposeful look, with a new strip of aluminum beneath the opening emphasizing the vehicle’s width. The leading edge of the hood extends further forward and sits taller, creating a squared-off, vertical nose and a longer, flatter hood appearance when viewed in profile. The lower section of the bumper is raised, giving the QX80 a higher visual center of gravity.
Other new detailing includes upright air vents behind the front wheels and a wider aluminium running board. At the rear, the similar attention has been paid using straighter character lines to give the car a taller and more muscular look.
Another signature, the crescent-cut D-pillar runs parallel with the roofline. Like the shoulder line, the elegant design of the D-pillar enhances the horizontal aspect of the QX80’s upper body.
Interior updates
The revamped interior makes extensive use of new high quality materials including perforated and quilted leather on the seats, door panels and armrests, as well as new wood veneers to give the vehicle a more upscale look.
Buyers can opt for standard leather or a new semi-aniline leather with color-contrasting piping. A new saddle brown leather option uses black contrast stitching and piping to give it an elegant look. There are also lighter colored wheat and graphite color combinations to choose from.
Interior accents include a variety of ash wood veneers in varying colors to match the upholstery. Other luxury touches include a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift lever. All the leather surfaces make use of higher density padding that gives the interior a plusher feel.
Also: Get your first look at the new and redesigned cars of 2018
Carryover drivetrain
Mechanically, the vehicle is unchanged, using a 400-horsepower 5.6-liter V8 mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Buyers can opt for either rear- or 4-wheel drive. One of the new driver assist features is a rearview mirror that can be used conventional, or switched over to a panoramic view camera. Other assists including blind spot and rear traffic alerts, lane keeping assists and adaptive cruise are also available.
“The new Infiniti QX80 has been designed and engineered to allow customers to travel everywhere in luxury. It strengthens the brand’s position in the global full-size SUV segment, which currently accounts for more than half of all full-size luxury car sales around the world. The new model will further enhance our profile in an area of the market that prizes modern exterior design, high-tech cabins engineered for relaxation, and effortless, empowering performance,” Christian Meunier, head of Infiniti brand said.
The 2018 Infiniti QX80 will go on sale by the end of the year with pricing announced closer to its on sale date.
