Infiniti has revealed a new crossover concept ahead of next week’s Beijing Auto Show. The QX Sport Inspiration shouldn’t shock anyone with its sleek yet brawny design, which has become common on recent Infiniti concepts and production vehicles.
While some of the design cues are certainly not production-ready, the corporate grille, vertical air inlets, LED headlights, and swoopy roofline all look ready for primetime. Styling from the latest Q30 and Q60 models are massaged into the QX Sport’s exterior perhaps as a preview of the next generation QX70.
Some of the QX Sport’s more standout features include air channels behind the front wheels, a rounded D pillar, and chrome trims to outline character lines. New-for-Infiniti designs include rectangular exhaust ports and a satin diffuser incorporated into the rear bumper.
Inside, the center console angles towards the driver, front passengers are treated to sport bucket seats, and there’s a flat-bottomed steering wheel, along with a few other hints as to the concept’s performance intentions. Considering how hot sporty SUVs have become lately, there’s a very good chance Infiniti is considering a “Red Sport” version of one of its models or a standalone performance crossover vehicle.
On the technology side, the QX Sport features a digital driver display and a tablet-like infotainment system.
As far as powertrain details are concerned, it’s all speculation at this point. That being said, a twin-turbocharged V6 seems like the right fit and could be borrowed from the 2017 Q60 to churn up 350 or more horsepower. Though Infiniti has yet to dabble much in electrically assisted platforms (beyond the hybridized Q50), a performance-oriented gas-electric hybrid setup may also find its way into the production QX Sport.
Should Infiniti give the concept a ‘go’ for assembly, its main rivals would include the Jaguar F-Pace, Porsche Macan, BMW X3, and Mercedes-Benz GLC, all in their high-output designations.
