You may have overlooked Infiniti, but Nissan hasn’t. In spite of several broken pledges throughout the past decade and many false starts, the Japanese manufacturer has presented a fresh turnaround strategy for its struggling luxury branch. And guess what: it includes Infiniti developing a performance sedan and rugged SUVs, presumably deriving from the new Nissan Xterra. Is the QX4 making a comeback?
The launch of five new models over the upcoming five years will comprise four SUVs and one sports sedan. The first to arrive will be the new QX65, which was unveiled in New York earlier this month. This fastback two-row SUV, based on the three-row QX60, will be available at dealerships soon.
Following that will be a “high-horsepower” sports sedan featuring an optional manual transmission. Awesome. Details are sparse beyond this, but it’s significant that Nissan hinted at the next-generation JDM Skyline sedan during its presentation, and the prior version was… available in the U.S. as the Infiniti Q50. (Apologies to GT-R enthusiasts, I realize those taillights seem promising, but a rear door handle is visible on the side.) Coupled with Nissan’s announcement of its intent to refine its product lineup by creating more specialized families of vehicles on common platforms, it’s likely we are witnessing the framework of this new enigmatic Infiniti sedan, although Nissan won’t affirm it. Nissan and Infiniti’s Senior VP of U.S. Marketing and Sales Tiago Castro wouldn’t confirm its name either.
The third new model is set to be a compact SUV outfitted with Nissan’s e-Power hybrid powertrain, which operates as a series hybrid. The gasoline engine functions as a generator for the battery pack, which drives the electric motors that propel the wheels. There’s a strong likelihood this will be a luxury reimagining of the Nissan Rogue.
Here’s where things become fascinating: the fourth model will be Infiniti’s interpretation of the forthcoming body-on-frame Nissan Xterra, which will offer both V6 and V6 hybrid powertrains. Savvy individuals will recall Infiniti attempted this strategy previously with the Pathfinder-based QX4 in the early 2000s, and those were commendable vehicles. If Nissan provides Infiniti with an excellent foundation, this entire category could prove to be very interesting. It’s worth mentioning that Lincoln is reportedly developing a luxury version of the Ford Bronco.
Castro didn’t disclose the fifth model, but he mentioned the lineup only necessitates one sedan, could accommodate at least five SUVs, and that the company has a plan that’s even broader than that currently. There’s a notable possibility a future body-on-frame Nissan Pathfinder could lead to an Infiniti variant that sits above the Xterra-based Infiniti, below the QX80, and alongside the QX60.
Castro shared with The Drive that he desires a 700-horsepower QX80 SUV to rival the Escalade V—suggesting that SEMA build generated interest—and that there’s a demand for such a vehicle. There might also be a less powerful version, around 600 hp, in development to deliver a more robust model promptly to meet market requirements and boost sales.
Amid all this, Castro highlighted that 2029 will mark Infiniti’s 40th anniversary, which is significant for the manufacturer. Just a few years ago, it didn’t appear they would reach this milestone. Now, if they can just execute the plan successfully, there is at least hope.
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