Infiniti Executive Envisions 700-HP QX80 to Compete with Escalade V, Mentions 'Significant' Demand

      Infiniti

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      Car enthusiasts have every reason to feel let down by Infiniti, but it appears the automaker is ready to make amends and enter the horsepower competition. This expansion includes their flagship SUV, the QX80.

      On Wednesday at the 2026 New York Auto Show, Tiago Castro, Nissan and Infiniti’s Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales, told The Drive that ideally, the company could produce a QX80 with 700 horsepower. However, timing is crucial.

      Castro, who is an enthusiast and started with Infiniti in a manual G35, expressed his support when it was mentioned that Cadillac is struggling to keep up with demand for the Escalade V's supercharged V8 engine that delivers 682 horsepower. He recognizes there is a market for an extremely powerful SUV in the U.S.

      "We're working on several opportunities for a performance line, as you've probably heard from rumors. We believe that Infiniti will resonate well with that type of vehicle. The QX80 is one of the models we’re looking into. I can’t provide a specific date, but stay tuned," Castro stated.

      In March, it was reported that Infiniti is developing a more powerful QX80 with 600 horsepower (and potentially 24-inch wheels) to launch a new Red Sport performance era. This era will also introduce a “high-horsepower” sports sedan with a manual transmission option, according to Castro.

      “The QX80 currently has 450 horsepower, and we want something significantly better. So, should we aim for 700 horsepower? Ideally, can we achieve that immediately, or would it be better to have something in between? That’s the discussion at hand. Timing is critical. We also need to assess the opportunity to capitalize on this. Should we launch a QX80 with, say, 600 horsepower? There’s a substantial demand for that," Castro explained.

      Castro's current dilemma is whether to wait or to proceed.

      This isn't just a far-fetched idea. At SEMA in November, Infiniti showcased a 1,000-horsepower Nissan GT-R-powered QX80 in Midnight Purple. Is it feasible? Perhaps. However, Castro acknowledges the existence of a market and is excited to see sales of the Escalade V supporting this business case.

      Ideally, Castro envisions a QX80 with around 700 horsepower, saying, “Yeah, but it would likely be one step at a time," he remarked.

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