Infiniti delays the launch of the 600-horsepower SUV to avoid losing to AMG and M
Infiniti is restarting its most ambitious sports car project in recent years. Instead of hastily releasing the QX80 Red Sport with a more powerful engine and cosmetic changes, the luxury brand has decided to delay the model’s launch by more than a year, transforming it into a true competitor for Mercedes-AMG and BMW M. This means a longer wait for buyers but also signals that Infiniti may be reclaiming its former soul.
According to Autonews, the Red Sport was originally set to appear this December with approximately 600 hp (447 kW), faster acceleration, and a more aggressive exterior. However, during development, Infiniti concluded that simply increasing power was not enough to justify a six-figure price tag or convince enthusiasts to take the model seriously.
“We know we only have one chance to make a first impression with such a product,” Infiniti Americas head Eric Ledue told the publication. “When we started working on the project, we realized that power alone was not enough. When you pay a six-figure sum for a sport SUV of this size and scale, it needs to meet expectations.” We couldn’t agree more: the main idea here is to get it right, not fast.
More than just muscle
Infiniti QX80 Track Spec concept
Instead of focusing solely on straight-line speed, the updated project now includes comprehensive suspension tuning, more powerful brakes, a more aggressive aerodynamic package, an active exhaust system, and a significantly reworked interior. Ledue also noted that buyers should not expect the model to resemble the current QX80: a redesigned front end, widened wheel arches, and massive 24-inch wheels are promised.
Under the hood, the 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 engine will receive a significant power boost over the standard QX80’s 450 hp (336 kW). Ledue stated the increase will be “much greater” than 20 percent, suggesting that power could easily exceed the previously claimed 600 hp (447 kW). Infiniti plans to achieve a 0-100 km/h time of under five seconds. This is not lightning-fast, but it is a significant step forward for the brand.
The delay makes sense if you drive the current QX80 Sport and its close relative, the Armada NISMO. Both leave much to be desired when the road starts to twist. They have power and visual aggression, but neither feels particularly lively or composed behind the wheel. Adding roughly 150 more horsepower to that mix would make the vehicle an interesting “buffalo” on the track, but hardly anything more.
That is why the postponement might prove to be a smart move. Instead of relying on brute force, like some Japanese Durango SRT Hellcat, Infiniti now seems intent on creating an SUV that is genuinely enjoyable to drive. The updated QX80 Red Sport is expected to arrive alongside the model’s planned refresh in the first half of 2028. The price will likely be about $30,000 higher than the current QX80 Sport, which starts at $103,945 (including delivery), firmly placing it in the six-figure price range.
An even crazier variant is not yet buried
Infiniti is also considering an even more extreme version of the QX80 Track Spec, although the project has not yet received final approval. Early concepts reportedly had around 700 hp, possibly using technology from the Nissan GT-R, as demonstrated on the QX80 R-Spec show car. Infiniti says creating such a model would require much deeper changes to the powertrain and significantly higher costs before it reaches production.
“This is a completely different type of development compared to what we are working on now,” Ledue told Autonews. “We need to evaluate the business perspective and the timelines this would require.”
Infiniti’s decision to delay the QX80 Red Sport demonstrates a maturity of the brand, which previously often relied on design and comfort but not on dynamics. Acknowledging that 600 horsepower without a proper chassis and brakes is only half the success indicates a change in strategy. If the company manages to create a truly cohesive product, it could be a turning point for Infiniti in the high-performance SUV market dominated by German players. At the same time, the delay until 2028 risks competitors not standing still, and by then, the bar for such vehicles may be even higher.