NEW FOR 2015:
– Updated styling with new grille, LED lighting, wheel designs
– Available Intelligent Brake Assist, Forward Emergency Braking, and Predictive Forward Collision Warning
– New colours: Hermosa Blue, Smoky Quartz
– New Limited Edition trim for seven-passenger with unique wheels, interior trim, and exterior colours
With sales of full-size luxury sport utility vehicle market still booming, Infiniti has given its QX80 full-size sport utility vehicle a full-size makeover to attract new customers in 2015. OK, that’s not quite true, but there are some noteworthy differences and additions to be found.
While the body’s metalwork remains the same, a new Q50-inspired grille and front bumper with chrome mesh insert makes a big statement, as do LED headlights, fog lights, and turn signals. Revised wheel designs also give it a bit of extra visual panache. The whole thing is wrapped up in two new colours including the rather fetching Hermosa Blue as pictured here.
Meanwhile, the 2.7-ton QX80 slowly creeps towards autonomy with the optional Technology Package gaining autonomous emergency braking, and the ominous-sounding Predictive Forward Collision Warning.
Infiniti is also capitalizing on the market’s hunger for poshness with the new QX80 Limited. Offered exclusively in seven-passenger form, it adds unique Truffle leather upholstery with quilted stitching, open-pore Ash wood trim, silver switchgear trim, an Ultrasuede headliner and leather-wrapped speaker trim (!) and grab handles. You can quickly tell the Limited apart from standard models by its dark-painted 22-inch wheels, dark chrome exterior details and stainless steel running boards.
A natural rival to the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 570, and Cadillac Escalade, the QX80 offers more than just palatial luxury; all models come standard with a low-range transfer case, four-wheel independent suspension, and a stout frame that enables it to tow up to 8,500 lbs. The QX80 can be had with seven or eight seats, and comes standard with a direct-injected 5.6-litre V8 that develops 400 hp.
Standard features include 20-inch alloy wheels, three-zone automatic climate control, automatic air rear leveling system, automatic LED headlamps, LED turn signals, LED fog lights, LED tail lights, auto-dimming power-folding heated mirrors with integrated turn signals, running boards, roof rails with crossbars, cruise control, power sunroof, power liftgate, solar and privacy-tint glass, rain-sensing wipers, ten-way driver and eight-way passenger power seats, heated and ventilated front seats, driver’s side memory, heated second-row captain’s chairs, power 60/40 split-folding and reclining third-row seats, second-row centre console, leather-wrapped heated steering wheel, power tilt and telescoping steering column, Stratford Burl wood trim, proximity key with push-button start, remote starter, illuminated vanity mirrors, electroluminescent gauges, analog clock, rear-seat entertainment system with wireless headphones, Bluetooth, Moving Object Detection and Around-View Monitor with front and rear parking sensors, 8.0-inch display audio system with hard-drive based navigation, 15-speaker Bose audio system with AM/FM/CD/DVD/MP3, satellite radio, USB port and aux-in jack, and Infiniti Connection telematics system.
Eight-passenger version replaces second-row captains chairs with 60/40 split-folding bench seat.
An available Technology Package adds 22-inch alloy wheels, Hydraulic Body Motion Control (7-passenger only), chrome mirror caps, advanced climate control system, variable speed-sensitive power steering, surround sound audio system, auto-leveling adaptive headlamps, radar cruise control, leather and wood steering wheel, lane departure warning and prevention system, blind spot warning and intervention system, backup collision intervention, distance control assist, intelligent brake assist, predictive forward collision warning, forward emergency braking, and pre-crash seatbelts.
The Limited Package (requires Technology Package) adds dark-finish 22-inch alloy wheels, dark headlights and tail lights, stainless steel running boards with rubber grips and welcome lights, Truffle Brown leather upholstery with quilted stitching and contrast piping, Truffle Brown leather steering wheel, Ultrasuede headliner and pillars, open-pore Ash wood trim, silver-finish console buttons, unique floor mats with contrast binding, and unique exterior paint choices.
