Infiniti QX Monograph Concept Telegraphs Future SUVs
Nissan’s luxury brand shows its future design direction at Pebble Beach.
It's time to change up styling at Infiniti, and that starts with a new QX Monograph Concept that previews the new design direction—at least in the detailing, even if the shape is familiar—for future SUVs from Nissan's luxury brand.
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Infiniti unveiled the QX Monograph concept at the 2023 Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the culmination of Monterey Car Week. It's a preview of what could be the next generation of the QX80 luxury full-size three-row SUV that's due for a full redesign. The current QX80 has been on sale since 2011 with some refreshes. The last QX80 Monograph Concept dates back to 2017, so even it has become dated.
Time for New Face for Infiniti
First thing you will notice is the double-arched grille where the upright lines and inner mesh were inspired by bamboo forests swaying in the breeze.
The main headlights are housed within the front bumper, separated from the daytime running lights positioned above. The DRLs follow the hood line and are a new take on Infiniti's digital piano key animated lighting and adopt an intricate "kimono fold" pattern.
In the rear, the taillights extend across the width of the SUV with a smoked finish and an overall look designed to resemble light shimmering on water. All the lighting is animated to say hi and bye to the driver.
New Infiniti Logo
A signature cue for the future: a new Infiniti logo that now presents as an illuminated (in pure white) three-dimensional emblem on the front of the vehicle.
The exterior of the large three-row SUV is marked by an upright rear pillar and glass, a shape that creates more room inside. The QX Monograph also has a long, straight hood and rides on large wheels with red highlights among the gloss black and chrome spokes.
The folded kimono theme can also be seen in the geometric pattern on the panoramic roof.
Design as Artwork
"We approach each Infiniti design from the perspective of an artwork, with the aim of evoking emotion and intrigue," Infiniti senior vice president of global design Alfonso Albaisa said. "The QX Monograph presented a sizable canvas for us to explore Infiniti's artistry at maximum scale and create something bold."
That includes the paint: a six-layer composition that is designed to look like a red sunset as it transitions to a dark night sky. Furthering the look, the windows and gloss black roof have a subtle red tint.
Although the design language is new, it continues to be inspired by Japanese heritage and artistry. In the studio you hear words likema, which is the mastery of empty space;utsuroi, the seamless transitions the vehicle aims for; andkabuki, which means "provocative and extraordinary."
It was time for an update: The current slate of SUVs harken back to the QX Inspiration Concept shown in 2019. In 2020, Infiniti showed the QX60 Monograph Concept, a precursor to the new QX60.
Alisa Priddle joined MotorTrend in 2016 as the Detroit Editor. A Canadian, she received her Bachelor of Journalism degree from Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario, and has been a reporter for 40 years, most of it covering the auto industry because there is no more fascinating arena to cover. It has it all: the vehicles, the people, the plants, the competition, the drama. Alisa has had a wonderfully varied work history as a reporter for four daily newspapers including the Detroit Free Press where she was auto editor, and the Detroit News where she covered the GM and Chrysler bankruptcies, as well as auto trade publication Wards, and two enthusiast magazines: Car & Driver and now MotorTrend. At MotorTrend Alisa is a judge for the MotorTrend Car, Truck, SUV and Person of the Year. She loves seeing a new model for the first time, driving it for the first time, and grilling executives for the stories behind them. In her spare time, she loves to swim, boat, sauna, and then jump into a cold lake or pile of snow.
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