Automotive

QX80 Monograph signals a new design direction for big Infinitis

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Infiniti is working hard to overhaul its design across the board 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The Infiniti QX80 Monograph design study is on show in New York
The headlamps on the QX80 Monograph are a more elaborate take on the classic Infiniti design formula
Some of the details on the QX80 Monograph are a bit overblown, but expect the production car to look similar to this
The rear of the QX80 Monograph is much cleaner than the current production car
The traditional Infiniti grille has been reworked for service on the QX80 Monograph
Don't expect any downforce, but the QX80 Monograph does have a rear spoiler
The air vents on the QX80 Monograph have been lifted from previous Infiniti concepts
Infiniti has the Audi Q8 and BMW X7 in its sights with the QX80 Monograph
Infiniti wants to be known as a design company, and those intentions aren't harmed by the QX80 Monograph
The details on the QX80 Monograph are all beautifully wrought
The 24-inch wheels on the QX80 Monograph won't make it to production
The QX80 Monograph is a study in a bigger Infiniti
Gold isn't to our tastes, but it's certainly eye-catching on the QX80 Monograph
The details within the QX80 Monograph's headlamps are pretty
Infiniti wants the QX80 Monograph to look "sporty," but there's no hiding the fact it's massive
The QX80 Monograph is on show in New York
The interior of the QX80 Monograph is a secret at the moment
The big nose of the QX80 Monograph headlines a car more than five meters long
The lines on the side of the QX80 Monograph make it look longer
The nose on the QX80 Monograph is, well, bold 
No mirrors on this concept: the QX80 Monograph uses cameras
The side steps on the QX80 Monograph are necessary, given its near two-meter height
The flared wheelarches on the QX80 Monograph give it a racy look 
The QX80 Monograph, launched in New York 
Infiniti is working hard to overhaul its design across the board 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The Infiniti QX80 Monograph on show in New York 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The QX80's boxed wheelarches give it a mean, rally-inspired look 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
Infiniti will likely put a production version of the QX80 on showroom floors soon
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
The QX80 on show in New York 
Angus MacKenzie/New Atlas
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Luxury four-wheel drives are flying off dealer lots at the moment, and manufacturers are scrambling to cash in. BMW is reportedly working on a model to sit above the X5, and Audi has announced the Q8 will go from concept to production vehicle next year. Never one to be left out, Infiniti has created the Q80 Monograph concept for the New York Auto Show.

The first thing to know about the Monograph is that it's seriously big. It's more than 5 m (16.4 ft) long, 2 m (6.6 ft) wide and just under 2 m tall, or similar in size to a Chevrolet Tahoe. What's more, the design team has worked to make it look bigger than it actually is, with long character lines running from the grille all the way along the flanks.

The QX80 is only a design study at the moment, but don't expect things to remain that way for long. Infiniti has a long history of turning its show cars into production vehicles, and the Monograph looks production ready in most aspects. Swap those slimline cameras for proper mirrors, scale down the overblown rims and lose the matte paint and this concept is ready for the showroom.

The QX80 Monograph, launched in New York 

Good thing, too, because it's up there with the prettiest four-wheel drives out there at the moment. Details like the air vents on the front flanks carry over from the Q60 Concept, and the shape of the headlamps is unmistakably Infiniti, but the sheer size of the QX80 gives it a unique look. The grille is big, but it avoids looking like the work of an under-qualified orthodontist, which is more than can be said for the Audi Q8 Concept launched in Detroit.

Infiniti is known for its design work, so it shouldn't be a surprise that the latest concept is a looker, but good looks are never a given in the world of four-wheel drives – just look at the current QX80.

"The QX80 Monograph represents a detailed study into our expertise of exterior design," says Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti. "QX80 Monograph shows our concept of luxury and style on the road, and is an exploration into how we could enhance our future Infiniti offering in the luxury SUV segment."

The Infiniti QX80 Monograph is on show at the New York Auto Show, where New Atlas is on the ground covering all the action. There are plenty of big launches lined up, including the long awaited Dodge Demon, so stay tuned.

Source: Infiniti

View gallery - 29 images
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