Infiniti QX65 Monograph Concept Coming To Monterey Car Week
The next Infiniti Monograph concept is just around the corner, this time previewing what we think will be a midsize, coupe-like crossover. The company confirmed it would be bringing three different SUV concepts, one of which is called the QX65 Monograph, to The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering on August 15 during next week’s festivities on the Monterey Peninsula. Considering the nomenclature echoes the QX55, a fastback variant of the QX50 small crossover, we presume the concept will be a snappy-styled, two-row version of the midsize QX60 luxury SUV that previews a production model due sometime in the next year.
A More Aggressive Grille At Least
The only teaser image of the newest Monograph – Infiniti’s terminology for a nearly production-ready design – shows its slick “piano-key” headlights and a tesselated grille with an illuminated logo in the center. The grille’s texture almost looks like that of an older Acura, although we presume it’ll maintain the signature double-boomerang shape of current Infinitis. Speaking of Acura, taking a three-row SUV and turning it into a swoopy crossover isn’t a completely new idea, as the first-generation ZDX borrowed its MDX sibling’s platform and powertrain but ditched the styling in favor of something much more aggressive (and less practical).
Infiniti QX50 vs. Infiniti QX55
But we can’t quite imagine what a coupe-styled version of the QX60 will look like. We appreciate the Infiniti FX–inspired roofline of the QX55 and hope it shows up in longer, more graceful form on the QX65 Monograph, but at the same time, applying that legendarily athletic SUV’s styling to a front-drive–biased, four-cylinder crossover was a bit of a bummer the first time around. We’re rooting for the QX65 to be something a little cooler than its 268-horsepower QX60 sibling, hopefully offering a more enthusiastic engine and some genuine handling chops. That said, we won’t hold our breath – the automaker promised the QX55 would be more exciting to drive than its long-roof equivalent, but it isn’t.
Two New QX80 Concepts On The Way
Alongside the QX65 Monograph, Infiniti will reveal two very different takes on the QX80. The first, called the Track Spec concept, seems to preview a performance-oriented version of the full-size SUV. We think it’ll probably follow the same formula as the Nissan Armada Nismo, which would mean a 10-hp bump for the QX80 – from 450 to 460 – as well as a stiffer suspension and retuned steering for more athletic handling. The teaser shows an even more aggressive front bumper than the recently revealed QX80 Sport trim, which seems to donate its front grille to the concept. However, the Track Spec is still likely a body-on-frame sport-ute, so we think the other SUV variant may be more appropriately conceived.
Called the QX80 Terrain Spec and previewed by a single head-on silhouette, the concept looks like it features a higher-clearance front bumper, knobbier tires, and a wider track, as well as tie-down points on the fenders, a roof rack that incorporates a light bar, and wheel arch extensions to cover up the off-road rubber. Although Infiniti hasn’t confirmed the production odds for either concept, it seems likely that at least the Terrain Spec will make it to showrooms in order to give the automaker a rival for the well-regarded Lexus LX 700h Overtrail.
We’ll be seeing the concepts in person at Monterey Car Week, so if there’s anything specific you’d like to know, leave a comment below.
Source: Infiniti
