Monterey Car Week is always a proving ground for bold new concept cars, and this year was no exception. Japanese luxury brands were in full force. Lexus rolled out its Sport Concept coupe, Acura showcased the RSX Prototype, and Infiniti followed suit with not one, but three SUVs that demand attention: the QX80 Track Spec, QX80 Terrain Spec, and QX65 Monograph, with each concept answering a different question about what luxury SUVs can be.
Now, for some context, Infiniti added a new SPORT Grade to its 2026 QX80 lineup last week. This Track Spec appears to build on that. Besides the name itself, the QX80 Track Spec immediately conveys its sporty intent. Matte black-blue wrap, massive 24-inch wheels, fender flares, and quad exhausts.
As for performance, Infiniti engineers were able to extract over 650 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque from the twin-turbo 3.5-liter VR35DDTT twin-turbo V6, which, for some context, is roughly a 50 percent increase over the stock powerplant. For reference, the aforementioned SPORT Grade QX80 packs 450 horsepower. The increase in power was achieved with upgraded turbochargers, a higher-capacity intercooler, new fuel injectors, ram air intake, and freer-flowing exhaust, turning the QX80 into the brand’s most powerful SUV ever. Brembo brakes ensure this performance can be tamed.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, sitting alongside the Track-spec was the QX80 Terrain Spec, which completely flips the script. Raised suspension, all-terrain tires, rugged fender flares, and protective covers showcase readiness for serious off-road action. Roof-mounted lights, a pop-up tent, and side-exit exhaust showcase this SUV’s practicality and durability. Invisible Hood View and the 3D Around View Monitor with Moving Object Detection give real-time awareness of rocks and obstacles, long before you reach them.
Finally, Infiniti also teased its vision for the highly competitive midsize luxury segment with the QX65 Monograph. Its fastback roofline, pushed-to-the-corner wheels, and dramatic Twilight color-shifting paint are attention-grabbing. Every element, from the aircraft-inspired taillights to the textured bamboo-like grille, is a sign of Infiniti’s future design direction.
All three concepts reflect Infiniti’s strategy to explore two customer mindsets: those seeking heart-pounding on-road performance and those craving confident off-road capability, while advancing its fast-to-market design philosophy.
Infiniti is betting that you want SUVs that engage every sense, whether on asphalt, dirt, or simply parked in your driveway. Could a vehicle like the QX80 Terrain Spec replace a traditional overlanding rig without sacrificing comfort? Land Rover and Lexus have managed to do so with models like the Defender, Range Rover Sport and the Lexus LX 600, have successfully managed to do it. The real question is whether Infiniti can now replicate the same, and if production versions of these concepts can capture this delicate balance of capability and luxury in a single comprehensive package.
Source: Infiniti