Infiniti QX50 concept – vision for a next-generation premium cross-over

QX50 background

The Infiniti QX50 cross-over has been available in various markets, including South Africa, for a few years now.  When Infiniti returned to SA, this vehicle was initially named EX, and after a year on the local market it had to comply with the international Infiniti renaming, to QX50.  It is about due for replacement, as it is currently living in the shadow of its QX70 bigger bolder brother (which hogs all the attention, and the sales, in SA).

Infiniti QX50 concept – could it become production?

The Infiniti QX50 concept is a preview of some of the styling and features that could carry through to the next production version of the new QX50.  It confidently articulates Infiniti’s “Powerful Elegance” design language, seen in a cabin-forward silhouette combined with flowing lines and heavily profiled surfaces. 

Far-fetched?  Some true-to-concept (make that near-to-concept) production cars saw the Q30, QX30 and Q60 relate concept to road cars, so some or a lot of this QX50 concept could become the QX50 you could buy.

The QX50 concept shows how Infiniti could develop its future presence in the world’s fastest-growing vehicle segment – the premium compact cross-over/SUV.

A newly-created Forged Bronze paint finish has 3 times the amount of metal flake compared to standard metallic paints.

Cabin demos new thinking

The concept demonstrates new thinking for premium-vehicle interior design in terms of materials and craftsmanship.  Instead of high-gloss woods and soft-touch plastics, the Infiniti QX50 concept shows more modern use application of wood, leather and stitching – each applied “in a new way to establish new trends”.

Different leathers wrap the concept’s interior, using genuine leather, semi-aniline and synthetic nubuck.  Rich brown leather line the upper layer of the cabin, contrasted with white leather for the lower dashboard, door trim and seats.

Infiniti has applied for a patent for a new “dot quilting” method, shown here for leather that lines the doors and seats.  The physical characteristics give a more informal interpretation of the diamond lozenge shape of the distinctive Chesterfield lounge chairs.

The gear selector also shows a neat and modern new interpretation.

VC-Turbo

The Infiniti VC-Turbo is the world’s 1st production-ready variable compression-ratio engine.  This concept vehicle suggests a possible installation and application of this new engine.