What if Infiniti made a QX80 "Red Sport" or "IPL"?

[ArmadaBound]

Okay, this is something I've been thinking about, especially after the last few conversations.

@QX_Luxury, you made the point that the Armada NISMO is a collection of "sporty features" rather than a true luxury-performance vehicle. That got me wondering: what would a true, no-compromises performance version of the QX80 look like to you? Infiniti has played with performance brands before, like "IPL" and the current "Red Sport." So what would a hypothetical QX80 Red Sport need to have to earn your respect as a legitimate contender, not just a features package?

I'm talking specifics. More power? How much... 550 hp? A different suspension setup than the NISMO? Real carbon fiber instead of "carbon-look"? Carbon ceramic brakes? Personally, I think a vehicle like that would be awesome, but it would have to cost well over $150,000 to compete with the Germans. I agree with the user who said it would probably price most people out of buying it, leaving it as a cool but very niche vehicle that wouldn't sell well. What do you all think?

 

[QX_Luxury]

Okay, this is something I've been thinking about, especially after the last few conversations.

@QX_Luxury, you made the point that the Armada NISMO is a collection of "sporty features" rather than a true luxury-performance vehicle. That got me wondering: what would a true, no-compromises performance version of the QX80 look like to you? Infiniti has played with performance brands before, like "IPL" and the current "Red Sport." So what would a hypothetical QX80 Red Sport need to have to earn your respect as a legitimate contender, not just a features package?

I'm talking specifics. More power? How much... 550 hp? A different suspension setup than the NISMO? Real carbon fiber instead of "carbon-look"? Carbon ceramic brakes? Personally, I think a vehicle like that would be awesome, but it would have to cost well over $150,000 to compete with the Germans. I agree with the user who said it would probably price most people out of buying it, leaving it as a cool but very niche vehicle that wouldn't sell well. What do you all think?

That's a pretty good question. You're right, I would absolutely be the target market for such a vehicle.

To me, a "QX80 Red Sport" would be defined by enhanced capability without compromise.

- Powertrain: The engine wouldn't just be tuned for more horsepower, say 550 hp, but also for a broader and smoother torque curve. The transmission would need to be recalibrated for assertive yet imperceptibly smooth shifts. It's about effortless, refined speed, not just raw thrust.
- Chassis: It would need an advanced, performance-tuned version of the hydraulic body control and air suspension. The goal would be to virtually eliminate body roll in corners while maintaining the ability to deliver a serene ride on the highway—something a fixed steel-spring NISMO suspension simply cannot do.
- Brakes: Yes, massive, multi-piston brakes would be standard. Carbon ceramics would need to be an option, not for the track, but for their fade resistance and reduced brake dust, which keeps the wheels cleaner—a luxury concern.
- Interior: This is key. It would feature genuine forged carbon fiber trim, not hydro-dipped plastic. The headliner would be Alcantara. The leather would be of an even higher grade, perhaps with unique quilting. It would need to feel as special as an AMG's "Designo" interior.

You're right about the price. To do this properly and compete with the likes of a Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 or a BMW Alpina XB7, the price would inevitably start around $140k-$150k. And yes, it would be a niche, halo vehicle. But that's the point. It wouldn't be for everyone; it would be for the discerning few who want that ultimate blend, and it would elevate the prestige of the entire brand.

 

[Das Auto Fan]

The problem with this hypothetical QX80 Red Sport is that it already exists. It's called the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63. Or the BMW Alpina XB7.

These SUVs have over 600 horsepower, meticulously engineered chassis technology, and decades of performance and luxury heritage. The market for a $150,000 SUV is incredibly small and brand-conscious. Why would someone choose a first-attempt Infiniti over the established and proven German options that already dominate this segment?

Infiniti's failed "IPL" brand is proof that it takes more than just bolting on performance parts to compete at this level. It requires a pedigree that, with all due respect, Infiniti does not have in this space. It would be a sales disaster.

 

[ArmadaBound]

The problem with this hypothetical QX80 Red Sport is that it already exists. It's called the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63. Or the BMW Alpina XB7.

These SUVs have over 600 horsepower, meticulously engineered chassis technology, and decades of performance and luxury heritage. The market for a $150,000 SUV is incredibly small and brand-conscious. Why would someone choose a first-attempt Infiniti over the established and proven German options that already dominate this segment?

Infiniti's failed "IPL" brand is proof that it takes more than just bolting on performance parts to compete at this level. It requires a pedigree that, with all due respect, Infiniti does not have in this space. It would be a sales disaster.

I have to agree with you on this one, which feels weird to say. A $150k Infiniti SUV is a tough sell. The entire appeal of the Armada NISMO is that it offers near that level of performance for what we assume will be half the price. It's the "smart money" performance choice. Once you're spending that much money, you're not just buying performance; you're buying a badge. And in the $150k+ SUV world, the German badges (and maybe Land Rover) are the ones that carry that weight.

That's a pretty good question. You're right, I would absolutely be the target market for such a vehicle.

To me, a "QX80 Red Sport" would be defined by enhanced capability without compromise.

- Powertrain: The engine wouldn't just be tuned for more horsepower, say 550 hp, but also for a broader and smoother torque curve. The transmission would need to be recalibrated for assertive yet imperceptibly smooth shifts. It's about effortless, refined speed, not just raw thrust.
- Chassis: It would need an advanced, performance-tuned version of the hydraulic body control and air suspension. The goal would be to virtually eliminate body roll in corners while maintaining the ability to deliver a serene ride on the highway—something a fixed steel-spring NISMO suspension simply cannot do.
- Brakes: Yes, massive, multi-piston brakes would be standard. Carbon ceramics would need to be an option, not for the track, but for their fade resistance and reduced brake dust, which keeps the wheels cleaner—a luxury concern.
- Interior: This is key. It would feature genuine forged carbon fiber trim, not hydro-dipped plastic. The headliner would be Alcantara. The leather would be of an even higher grade, perhaps with unique quilting. It would need to feel as special as an AMG's "Designo" interior.

You're correct about the price. To do this properly and compete with the likes of a Mercedes-AMG GLS 63 or a BMW Alpina XB7, the price would inevitably start around $140k-$150k. And yes, it would be a niche, halo vehicle. But that's the point. It wouldn't be for everyone; it would be for the discerning few who want that ultimate blend, and it would elevate the prestige of the entire brand.

QX_Luxury, I get what you're saying about creating a halo car, but I think the Armada NISMO is the real halo for the entire platform. It's the one that will get all the attention and magazine covers. A super-expensive QX80 would be a footnote. Nissan's approach here is just smarter for the brand as a whole.

 

[DIY_Dad]

This is where the business side of cars gets interesting. What's the point of a car that doesn't sell? QX_Luxury's ideal "Red Sport" sounds amazing, but the research and development costs to engineer all those bespoke parts—the unique suspension tuning, the carbon ceramic brakes, the forged carbon interior—would be astronomical. To make that money back, they'd have to sell it for an astronomical price.

Like Das Auto Fan said, the customers in that price bracket are already loyal to other brands. It would be a huge financial gamble for Infiniti. It makes much more sense for them to let Nissan take the lead on pure performance with the NISMO, while Infiniti focuses on what it does best: comfortable, stylish, and reliable luxury at a price point that undercuts the Germans. The two models complement each other perfectly that way.

 

[TrailHybrid]

Let's be honest, Infiniti already tried this with the IPL (Infiniti Performance Line) on the G37, and it was a flop. The performance gains were minimal, and it didn't convince M3 or C63 buyers to switch brands. They've had much more success with their "Red Sport" models, which are more like a top-tier engine package than a full-blown performance sub-brand like AMG or M.

I think a $150k "QX80 IPL" would suffer the same fate. Nissan is being much more realistic. They know the NISMO brand has real heritage and credibility from the Z and GT-R. They're leveraging that to create a unique, high-performance truck that doesn't try to be something it's not. It's not a German luxury cruiser; it's a Japanese muscle truck. And based on this discussion, there's clearly a market for that.