Infiniti plots a return to driver-focused performance with Nismo halo editions of the QX80, Q50S and QX65—up to 650 hp and 1,000 units planned over two years.
2025-11-24T03:28:09+03:00
2025-11-24T03:28:09+03:00
2025-11-24T03:28:09+03:00
Infiniti is serious about reclaiming its image as a driver-focused marque. After a quiet spell, Nissan is preparing a lineup centered on true performance: low-volume, high-output versions of core models positioned against BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. The project involves the storied Nismo team, and for the first time in a while, Infiniti is talking about performance without hedging.The strategy is straightforward: create halo models that elevate interest in the brand. Plans include uprated editions of the QX80, the Q50S, and the new QX65 crossover. This isn’t about trim packages or a token 20-hp bump—it’s a genuine step change, with targets of up to 50% more power while maintaining reliability and the brand’s emphasis on comfort. The intent reads like a clear pivot back to driving engagement, without abandoning refinement.The first hints came this summer at Pebble Beach, where the QX80 Track Spec concept produced 650 hp from the standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. It did so without major internal changes—using new turbochargers, an intercooler, upgraded injectors, and a freer-breathing exhaust. That showcase underlines how much headroom Nissan’s engines have to give, and it suggests a strong foundation for the production cars.The company acknowledges that matching the benchmark set by M and AMG is a demanding task, yet premium buyers want a blend of power, quietness, design, and status. Production will be intentionally limited—about 1,000 cars over two years—to keep the series exclusive. Kept at that scale, the effort should sharpen the brand’s desirability while letting the engineering speak for itself.
Infiniti plots a return to driver-focused performance with Nismo halo editions of the QX80, Q50S and QX65—up to 650 hp and 1,000 units planned over two years.
Michael Powers, Editor
Infiniti is serious about reclaiming its image as a driver-focused marque. After a quiet spell, Nissan is preparing a lineup centered on true performance: low-volume, high-output versions of core models positioned against BMW M and Mercedes-AMG. The project involves the storied Nismo team, and for the first time in a while, Infiniti is talking about performance without hedging.
The strategy is straightforward: create halo models that elevate interest in the brand. Plans include uprated editions of the QX80, the Q50S, and the new QX65 crossover. This isn’t about trim packages or a token 20-hp bump—it’s a genuine step change, with targets of up to 50% more power while maintaining reliability and the brand’s emphasis on comfort. The intent reads like a clear pivot back to driving engagement, without abandoning refinement.
The first hints came this summer at Pebble Beach, where the QX80 Track Spec concept produced 650 hp from the standard 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6. It did so without major internal changes—using new turbochargers, an intercooler, upgraded injectors, and a freer-breathing exhaust. That showcase underlines how much headroom Nissan’s engines have to give, and it suggests a strong foundation for the production cars.
The company acknowledges that matching the benchmark set by M and AMG is a demanding task, yet premium buyers want a blend of power, quietness, design, and status. Production will be intentionally limited—about 1,000 cars over two years—to keep the series exclusive. Kept at that scale, the effort should sharpen the brand’s desirability while letting the engineering speak for itself.
