New York show: Infiniti teases fresh QX80 SUV

INFINITI has released a single teaser image of what is likely to be the next iteration of the hulking QX80 upper large SUV, revealing updated styling that brings it into line with the brand’s current design language.

The new model will be revealed at an event in New York City the night before the New York motor show kicks off, and will not be shown at the show.

The vehicle in the image bears a striking resemblance to the QX Sport Inspiration concept from last year’s Beijing motor show, that previewed the forthcoming QX50 mid-size SUV.

Similarities include the headlight design, which features a lined LED headlight cluster, the large central grille and beefy lower air intakes that give the front fascia a more muscular look.

The New York concept follows the direction of Infiniti’s ‘Powerful Elegance’ design philosophy, which will be the blueprint of future styling for the brand.

Whether the New York car will be a concept or a production-ready model is unclear.

The controversially styled QX80 went on sale in Australia in mid-2015 for $110,900 plus on-roads, and came equipped with a 298kW/560Nm 5.6-litre petrol V8 mated to a seven-speed torque-converter automatic transmission.

It has been sold in other markets since 2010, following its reveal at the New York motor show under the moniker of QX56 that year.

It is based on the Y62 Nissan Patrol, which also went on sale globally in 2010 before being introduced to Australia in 2013, where it was sold alongside the since discontinued diesel-powered Y61 Patrol.

At $110,900, the QX80 is the most affordable point of entry into the upper large luxury SUV segment, ahead of the Mercedes-Benz GLS350d from $116,615, the Lexus LX570 from $143,030, and the Range Rover HSE from $170,400.

However in 2016 it was outsold by all of its aforementioned rivals, with its 61 sales outstripped by the GLS (847), Range Rover (454) and LX (285).

In the first two months of 2017 Infiniti has found 14 homes for the QX80, which puts it on track to beat its 2016 figure with 84 sales.