Infiniti QX55 – the all-new mid-size luxury crossover SUV and successor to the FX – was unveiled in late November as part of a streaming concert experience, starring Aloe Blacc, from the iconic Belasco Theater in Los Angeles.
The event also included immersive conversations about the debutant by some of the top brass at infinity. Peyman Kargar, Infiniti’s Chairman, noted: “The new Infiniti QX55 is a statement-maker, designed to deliver first-class comfort and stand out everywhere it goes. It’s a unique fusion of style and substance.”
Known for his hits “The Man,” “Wake Me Up,” and “I Need A Dollar,” Blacc added: “The QX55 is classy. It just looks sleek, and it feels like it’s quality. Ultimately, the only thing I ever want to engage with is quality. From the musicians that I pick, to the food that I eat, to the car that I drive. I like to know that something is crafted with intention and purpose and that there’s quality behind every measure of it.”
The QX55’s design, while retaining Infiniti’s distinctive design hallmarks, it possesses a fresh interpretation of the FX silhouette. The signature double-arch grille is complemented by a distinctive, origami-inspired mesh pattern that delivers visual depth. The grille is flanked by standard LED headlights that are designed to mimic the human eye.
The QX55’s profile is defined by the elegant and fluid lines that flow from the hood, over the front fenders, across the doors, and over the rear wheels. Twenty-inch wheels are – standard on all QX55 models – fill the wheel arches and assert the SUV’s dynamic presence.
The rear of the QX55 is a study in Japanese minimalist design. The uncluttered liftgate with handsome, clean lines is coupled with understated technology. The digital “piano key” taillights combine 45 separate LEDs in a single housing to create an elegant light signature. This architecture made its debut on the QX60 Monograph design study. The Infiniti logo on the tailgate houses the power liftgate release, which adds to the minimalist ethos.
Inside, the QX55 features Infiniti’s dual-screen, InTouch infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, and multiple USB inputs for charging. The upper 8-inch and lower 7-inch high-resolution screens inform the driver and entertain passengers with an available Bose audio system for a premium acoustic experience.
Leatherette, leather, or semi-aniline leather appointments for the seats adorn the QX55’s spacious interior, and its sliding second-row seats provide flexible cargo capacity or increased legroom, depending on need.
Under the hood of every QX55 is Infiniti’s award-winning Variable Compression Turbo four-cylinder engine that makes 268 horsepower and 380 Nm of torque. The dynamic engine imperceptibly changes its compression and displacement to deliver either enhanced efficiency or on-demand power, based on the driver’s needs.
That power is shifted through a confident Continuously Variable Transmission with manual shift mode, before being delivered to Infiniti’s Intelligent All-Wheel Drive system. The latter comes as standard on all QX55 models. A Drive Mode Selector empowers the driver with programmable settings (Standard, Eco, Sport and Personal) to tailor each drive.
According to official statements by the marque, the QX55 is bound for U.S. and Canada in spring 2021 with other key markets to follow “shortly after.”
