2022 Infiniti QX60 Revealed (Based on the QX60 Monograph Concept)

supra93

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https://usa.infinitinews.com/en-US/releases/release-14c4b42a4cf3322ddd3a44d136077e89

September 24, 2020
Provides vision of how INFINITI plans to transform the future QX60
Showcases new elegant and muscular design direction
Details draw inspiration from brands Japanese heritage
Next-generation production QX60 to be revealed in 2021

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Dressed in a reflective platinum hue, the INFINITI QX60 Monograph* previews a more upscale and commanding design for the brand’s popular family-focused SUV.

“We commenced the design of the Monograph knowing this was an opportune time to start a discussion about where we are planning to take the QX60 in the future and more broadly, where we are heading as a brand with our design language’” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president, Global Design, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

More than a design study or concept, a “Monograph” provides a tangible insight into how INFINITI plans to transform a future model. The QX60 Monograph previews some of the proportions and design elements that will adorn the brand’s future three-row SUV.

Reimagining the future QX60 SUV
Focused solely on the exterior, INFINITI designers imagined the QX60 Monograph as a sophisticated yet functional solution for a busy, modern family. The proportions include a wide stance, sleek greenhouse, horizontal shoulder line and muscular wheel arches. The combination of which creates a commanding posture and defined SUV persona.

“In crafting this Monograph, we wanted to change the tonality of the QX60 and transform the nameplate from a sculptural and architectural point of view. We raised the visual center of gravity, giving it a strong, straight shoulder line that carries through to the hood, with a higher, more prominent grille, and longer-looking cabin to deliver a sense of muscularity and a commanding presence” Albaisa said.

The current QX60 is popular with families and is known for offering spacious packaging and comfortable, dedicated three-row seating. The proportions of the QX60 Monograph illustrate INFINITI’s intention to maintain these strengths while transforming the model with a more aerodynamic, muscular silhouette.

Viewed from the side, the Monograph shows off its powerful horizontal hood, muscular fenders and long wheelbase. Paired with the gentle rake of the A-pillar and tapered, teardrop-like glasshouse, the result is a long sweeping, sophisticated profile.

Embossed with the INFINITI name, QX60 Monograph features large alloy wheels that fill the pronounced fenders and reinforce the performance-inspired aesthetic.

At the rear, the wide body and track, paired with horizontal window line give QX60 Monograph a sense of poise and stability.

The high shoulder line raises its visual center of gravity. The roof flows into a subtly integrated rear roof spoiler — also in gloss black — to further enhance the car’s aerodynamic appearance. Each of these measures create QX60 Monograph’s strong, stable stance.

Reflecting Movement
“The platinum paint on the QX60 Monograph projects a sense of warmth. The highly reflective nature mimics the qualities of liquid metal, allowing the surface of the body to capture the shadows and lights of the environment in which it is displayed creating a sense of dynamism” said Taisuke Nakamura, senior design director, INFINITI Global Design, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd.

The black roof creates a strong contrast to the rich body color for a dramatic visual statement. The pillars, roof, front, side and rear glass all seamlessly connect — giving a panoramic feel to the cabin and promoting a sense of openness. Slim-line roof rails provide a practical counterpoint to the QX60 Monograph’s sleek, sporty proportions.

Japanese Inspirations
“The QX60 Monograph embodies the Japanese concept of ‘Ma,’ a sense of minimalism where designers seek harmony, adding just the right amount of elements with very specific meaning to create something special. This is evident on the body, where at a glance it is simple, but when you get closer, you see that there are elements that are playing against each other in a sense of harmony.” Albaisa explains.

The intricate folds of traditional Japanese origami were the inspiration for the inner mesh of the signature ‘Double Arch’ INFINITI grille. The result is a two-dimensional surface that projects a sense of three-dimensional depth. The same mesh pattern is echoed in the side air intakes in the lower corners of the bumper. The wide track and the sharp lines in the bodywork combine to deliver a sense of stability and a sophisticated visual statement.

A large panoramic roof features a “kimono fold” pattern. This geometric feature, a series of intricate perpendicular lines, draws inspiration from the folds of a silk kimono and the structures of Japan’s modern architecture.

Lighting the path forward
Intricate “Digital Piano Key” lighting at the front and rear projects a futuristic appearance and showcases INFINITI’s desire to blend human artistry with the latest technology. The inner structure of the headlamp features a shape and pattern of lines inspired by an electrical heatsink device.

Bright white at the front, and ultra-red at the back, the QX60 Monograph’s lamps are accompanied by the glowing “infinite road” brand emblem. Combined, the opening light sequence begins at the logo and fans out to the headlamps in a dynamic welcome for drivers.

The rear lamps are tinted and, when extinguished, appear to wrap around the back of the vehicle and into the rear flanks in one continuous shape. Illuminated, the piano key lighting shines through to form a beautiful, futuristic light signature.

As a complete package, QX60 Monograph reveals a transformation in the direction that INFINITI’s designers are adopting for the next-generation QX60. The production version of the next generation QX60 is expected in 2021.

The QX60 Monograph will be available for the public and media to view at INFINITI’s global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan and on the INFINITI stand at the 2020 Beijing International Automotive Exhibition.

About INFINITI
INFINITI Motor Company is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan with operations around the world including regional offices based in the Americas, China and INFINITI International Markets based in Dubai. The INFINITI brand of premium automobiles are assembled in manufacturing facilities in Japan, North America and China. INFINITI design studios are located in Atsugi-Shi near Yokohama, London, San Diego and Beijing.

More information about INFINITI and its industry leading technologies can be found at www.INFINITIUSA.com. You can also follow INFINITI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, and see all of our latest videos on YouTube.

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mikeavelli

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I find the current one to be as ugly as anything ever produced.

This is much nicer and looks like their version of the Lincoln Aviator which mimics Range Rovers. Not a bad idea.

My goodness that front door line is right by the front fender.
 

Gecko

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Some thoughts:

I give Infiniti credit for this because overall, I think it's nice just as the concept was, which is great because the concept was well received.

The exterior is clean, handsome and expected coming from the QX 60 monograph concept. It doesn't feel particularly groundbreaking though and the rear looks and feels a lot like the Pathfinder... it is a nice design and I think it will do well for Infiniti and probably continue to be their best selling model. Something about it feels like the Japanese Velar, and it kind of looks like the follow up from the original FX (a very good thing).

On the interior: design, quilted leather, ambient lighting and trims are upscale and on point for the class. The leather color in these pics is beautiful. This is a big interior change for Infiniti because everything else, even the QX 50/55, have the early 2000s double screen, vertically oriented interior layout. This brings them into the modern era and is a very nice, upscale design. Detailing in the doors, speakers and dash is very nice.

Interesting to me that Acura nor Infiniti really pushed the envelope on performance with carryover powertrains. I guess Infiniti might not have been able to afford a full model redesign with new powertrains and new platforms, so I would say they did the best with what they had. As worried as I was about another "RX 350" for the next generation, it seems like the T24A-FTS will compare pretty favorably with these two, then there is the RX 500h to take on the MDX Type S. It's also possible that the RX 350 will get a stronger tune than the NX 350.

Overall, this is a nice new chapter for Infiniti even it feels a bit more like a "Part II" of the last chapter in some ways. I hope this does well for Infiniti and they're able to build on this design and momentum with the QX 50, QX 55 and QX 80. I like the design and the interior a lot, so I want to see where this goes in the years ahead.

Just my .02: is anyone else noticing how anonymous car design is becoming now? Everyone has:
  • Unified horizontal rear light bar or arrangement
  • Blacked out A pillar and/or greenhouse
  • Some variation of 5 spoke or split 5 spoke wheel
  • Mesh grill
  • Double layered horizontally designed dash with screen coming out of the first "layer"
  • "Piano black" plastic trim
  • Stylized lower dash portion where one side curves towards the driver or passenger (Camry, NX, QX 60, etc)
  • Ambient lighting under trim
You could throw any variation of those cues in a blender, pour them out and bake them, and it could be any brand or product.
 

Ian Schmidt

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I don't dislike it, but the interior reads as very 1970s to me. The color and pattern on the leather, and the center console control thing with nothing below it feels like how people used to mount a CB radio or aftermarket head unit. And the vents above the center control hub look more than a bit like an 8-track, which doesn't help. I half expect a trim level with a landau top.
 

mikeavelli

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Again 1000 times better than the current one. It’s a SUV so gonna sell if they hold the price.

gecko nails it… I’m sure at this point Range Rover has to be annoyed how this, Lincoln, Kia etc all ripped their basic theme off.
 

Sulu

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Just my .02: is anyone else noticing how anonymous car design is becoming now? Everyone has:
  • Unified horizontal rear light bar or arrangement
  • Blacked out A pillar and/or greenhouse
  • Some variation of 5 spoke or split 5 spoke wheel
  • Mesh grill
  • Double layered horizontally designed dash with screen coming out of the first "layer"
  • "Piano black" plastic trim
  • Stylized lower dash portion where one side curves towards the driver or passenger (Camry, NX, QX 60, etc)
  • Ambient lighting under trim
You could throw any variation of those cues in a blender, pour them out and bake them, and it could be any brand or product.
There is definitely a lot of cross-pollination among the automakers lately, especially between Japanese automakers, I believe. What is happening is that automakers' latest models are losing their unique design languages that automakers had worked hard to implement in the past decade.

Examples:
  • Cadillac, which once had a unique front-end design language with vertical headlamps, has adopted the now-generic narrow horizontal headlamps, losing its unique styling. New Cadillac models are no longer instantly identifiable as Cadillacs.
  • I regularly mistake the new Rogue's rear three-quarter view for the current RAV4 (especially the D-pillar and where it meets the floating roof).
  • When I first saw front three-quarter view of this new QX60, I thought I was looking at the Toyota Corolla Cross (the shape of the grille and the narrow headlamps remind me of the Corolla Cross). And the rear (hatch) styling also reminds me of Toyota styling.
  • What happened to the once distinguishing and uniquely-Infiniti design language of that pinched grille and unique kink in the D-pillar?
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2016 Infiniti QX60