Spy Shots: Infiniti QX getting the FX treatment
Posted Oct 20th 2009 12:58PM by Noah Joseph
Next-gen Infiniti Qx – Click above for high-res image gallery of spy shots
Based on the gargantuan Nissan Armada, the Infiniti QX56 is one big beast of an SUV. Especially next to the svelte FX, and even more so now that the EX has joined the line-up. Keeping such a goliath of a truck looking fresh is a challenge unto itself, but Nissan's luxury division is apparently working on it.
The biggest thing to hit Tempe since Super Bowl XXX, this QX test mule was spied by one of our intrepid readers while apparently undergoing hot weather testing around the Phoenix suburb. The vehicle in question, as you can see, is wearing heavy camo, but appears to carry the same pronounced grille as the current model, albeit with more angular headlights to mimic its little brothers. The rear end appears to be undergoing a restyling as well, while the C-pillar-mounted rear door handle – a hallmark of Nissan sport-utes in the Pathfinder family – have apparently moved to the more conventional position. That's about all we can surmise about the behemoth hiding underneath that Michelin Man suit, but you can have a look for yourself in the exclusive gallery of spy shots below. Thanks for sending these in, Justin!
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Parlay84 1:00PM (10/20/2009)
Damn that looks ugly
Reply
Jei 1:12PM (10/20/2009)
Based on the concept version for the Asian market, I'm anxious to see the next N.A.-market QX.
Rick 2:29PM (10/21/2009)
It's getting the FX treatment, or in layman's terms, it's getting the ugly treatment.
dk 1:06PM (10/20/2009)
The camo or the car?
Reply
Parlay84 1:46PM (10/20/2009)
The car, the camo doesn't do it any favors either.
@Jei
I saw that pic from another autoshow, didn't like it then. Maybe seeing it in person will change my opinion, but for now....ugly
dk 1:09PM (10/20/2009)
Actually looks like they're going after the Kuraza concept.
Reply
Erik 1:14PM (10/20/2009)
I cannot think of a vehicle I would want less than the QX56.
Reply
thomas 3:51PM (10/20/2009)
then you need an imagination.
i can think of several.
but then again this styling doesn't bother me at all.
i love the stance/proportion of it.
JW 1:45PM (10/20/2009)
I found this post about a month and a half ago. The finished product should look good.
http://www.burlappcars.com/2009/09/all-new-2011-infiniti-qx.html
Reply
mbslrm 2:26PM (10/20/2009)
It looks just like the one that surfaced in the Middle East a while ago.
Reply
Other Man 3:57PM (10/20/2009)
I thought the same thing.
I kind of like it. It's unique, if nothing else. I like the idea of legitimately competitive large SUVs in this market competing with the few "good" ones out there like the high end GLs, Land Cruiser/LX570, and Range Rover.
For too long we have had laughable SUVs sold to us like the Escalade, Navigator, and well, the current QX56. But even non-SUV enthusiasts tend to at least respect the world class big uts from Land Rover or the like.
By the way, if the new M56 Sport has a 5.6L 420 hp (estimated) V-8, will this have a similar version of that engine (such as the Ram and Charger sharing mostly the same engine)?
Dan 10:56PM (10/20/2009)
Curious what you think makes the Escalade a laughable non-competitor.
MikeofLA 1:19PM (10/20/2009)
Abort it now before it grows up to be a monster.
Reply
Assass1n 1:20PM (10/20/2009)
Kill it with fire
Reply
Craig 1:33PM (10/20/2009)
http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/spy-shots-2011-infiniti-qx56-caught-on-show/
Reply
Franz 1:44PM (10/20/2009)
I think that's gonna be one ugly mother effer.
Reply
Kowell 1:44PM (10/20/2009)
Given the height of this truck, it's a good bet that a lot of kids weren't even able to reach the C-pillar-mounted rear door handle.
Reply
thomas 3:54PM (10/20/2009)
this tester looks to have conventional door latches...
i wonder if its going to be that way for the production vehicle as well
Level 1:55PM (10/20/2009)
why did my comment get deleted when I posted the link to the actual spy shot with out the "Michelin Man suit" Did I hurt someone from Auto blog Staff feelings???
Reply
Sam D 2:02PM (10/20/2009)
Hey Justin - I hope they paid you for those. I heard the guy who shot the other set for Priddy and Company made a few bills. Congrats on the scoop!
Reply