Infiniti Executive Seeks 700-HP QX80 to Compete with Escalade V, Points Out 'Significant' Demand

      **Infiniti**

      The latest automotive news and reviews, no nonsense.

      Subscribe to our free daily newsletter for important stories delivered to you every weekday.

      Car enthusiasts are understandably frustrated with Infiniti, but it appears the automaker is on the verge of redemption and is ready to join the horsepower race. This development includes its premier SUV, the QX80.

      During the 2026 New York Auto Show on Wednesday, Tiago Castro, Nissan and Infiniti’s Senior Vice President of U.S. Marketing and Sales, told The Drive that the company could potentially produce a 700-horsepower QX80, though timing is crucial.

      Castro, a car enthusiast whose first vehicle was a G35 with a manual transmission when he joined Infiniti, expressed excitement regarding the Cadillac Escalade V’s struggle to meet demand for its supercharged V8 engine that produces 682 horsepower. He recognizes the appetite for a highly powerful SUV in the U.S. market.

      “We're exploring, as you may have heard from rumors, various opportunities for a performance line. We think Infiniti will resonate well with this type of vehicle. The QX80 is one of the models we are working on. While I can’t provide a specific timeline, stay tuned,” Castro indicated.

      In March, a report surfaced indicating that Infiniti is preparing a more powerful QX80 featuring 600 horsepower (potentially with 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, as per Castro.

      “When we consider the performance line, currently the QX80 has 450 horsepower. We want to significantly improve on that. Should we aim for 700 horsepower? Ideally, can we achieve that immediately, or would something in between be preferable? That's part of our current discussion. Timing is crucial. Additionally, we must consider whether we can fully capitalize on this. Should we release a QX80, for example, with 600 horsepower? There is considerable demand for that,” Castro noted.

      Castro’s present challenge? Deciding whether to proceed immediately or wait.

      This concept is not merely speculative. At SEMA in November, Infiniti exhibited a 1,000-horsepower QX80 powered by a Nissan GT-R engine in Midnight Purple. Is this feasible? Perhaps. But Castro is aware of the market demand and acknowledges it, excited to see Escalade V sales validating the business opportunity.

      Ideally, Castro mentioned there would be a QX80 with around 700 horsepower, saying, “Yeah, but it would probably be implemented in steps,” the executive concluded.

      Do you have tips about upcoming products? Reach out to us at tips@thedrive.com.