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Infiniti QX Monograph Concept debuts at Pebble Beach looking large

The Infiniti QX Monograph Concept is here, and it sure presents like a veiled look at the next Infiniti QX80 SUV to us. Now, Infiniti didn’t make any allusions to the QX80 in its announcement at Pebble Beach, but the full-size dimensions and general shape tell us pretty much everything we need to know. This reveal is also a continuation of InfinitiÂ’s “Monograph” line of concept cars with the most recent one being the QX60 Monograph. That concept previewed what would become the production QX60, suggesting that this next Monograph concept will do the same for the larger QX80. As for the details of this particular design concept, Infiniti went into great detail about all its elements. Starting up front, the grille is meant to evoke a bamboo forest with its gentle arcing lines surrounding the new Infiniti logo. Meanwhile, the black finish and surround hint at the power found behind it — Infiniti didnÂ’t say what this concept is powered by, but we fully expect the next QX80 to have a gasoline engine situated under the hood. Flanking the grille are the lights that Infiniti says feature its “digital piano key” design and both “welcome” and “farewell” animation sequences. Since the headlights and DRLs are separated, Infiniti went ahead with that intricate “piano key” look for the DRLs to create a distinct signature. They wrap from the grille to around the side of the front bumper in an attempt to emphasize the width and height of the QX Monograph. You really get a sense of the QX MonographÂ’s size from its side profile. It has a vast monotone greenhouse that visually separates itself from the body by being painted entirely in black. The minimalist styling Infiniti says it used for this vehicle is best seen from this angle. It has electric door handles that pop in and out to create an uninterrupted look all the way down the side of the SUV. Meanwhile, the massive wheels bring some visual pizazz to the whole package. TheyÂ’re machine-finished wheels with both black and red accents arcing through, and Infiniti says its design inspiration for them was wind turbines. And on the topic of paint, Infiniti says it developed a new hue called Akane for this concept. ItÂ’s difficult to tell in photos, but the six-layer paint glows in the sun in an attempt to mimic “a warm glowing red sunset as it transitions into a dark night sky.” Of course, in most conditions, itÂ’ll likely just look gray.

2014 Infiniti Q50

Avoiding An Identity Crisis... For Now
Infiniti is a brand that has been quietly undergoing major upheaval - and not just with the numbers and letters on its trunklids. Back in December, Nissan's premium brand rankled fans and pundits by announcing it would redo its alphanumeric nomenclature, yet that decision was but a PR speedbump - there are bigger fish to fry. After all, this is a marque that was on the chopping block just a couple of years ago, and now it has a major opportunity to succeed thanks to new investment, new independence (Infiniti is now responsible for its own design, engineering, marketing, quality and human resources), a new global headquarters in Hong Kong, and new marching orders from new leadership that calls for a revitalized and expanded portfolio.
Yet if you think that the Q-based naming convention is the first sign of the brand's new direction, you might have missed Infiniti's biggest signal flare: the 2013 JX crossover. Fine premium three-row crossover that it may be, it's still the first Infiniti in ages that operates without a scintilla of driving entertainment at the core of its genetic makeup. (The last - and perhaps only - previous example was also Pathfinder-based, the 1997 QX4). To be fair, three-row CUVs have a laundry list of priorities before driving enjoyment figures in, but the message the JX (henceforth known as the QX60) sends is clear: Infiniti is going after more segments and more customers. Plans are afoot to expand the company's product line by a whopping 60 percent over the next five years, and in short, that means Infiniti is no longer content to be the unsung Japanese BMW - it needs vehicles that satisfy a wider swath of consumers. Despite all this, Infiniti officials we spoke with were keen to assert that driving pleasure remains very much core to their mission, and to that of this 2014 Q50 in particular.

Next Infiniti FX to gain interior volume

The Infiniti FX, soon to be renamed QX70 thanks to the Japanese brand's convoluted naming scheme, is currently in the midst of its second-generation. And while we like the compact, sporty crossover's driving character a lot, it lacks the "utility" part of the CUV moniker. That lack of cabin space will be addressed in the future, though.
Automotive News recently sat down with Nissan's global design boss, Shiro Nakamura, to talk about the future of what he called "the icon of Infiniti." And while Nakamura-san admitted the FX/QX70's worth to the brand, its sales have long been something of a disappointment. "Exterior and styling-wise, it's very strong as an icon. But to be honest, its sales volume has not been as big as we wanted," a reality Nakamura believes is due largely to its tight cabin relative to its competition.
Finding the right balance might be difficult, though. The FX/QX70 is selling extremely well in both China and Russia, according to Nakamura, because of its looks. Altering that style in order to increase interior space risks alienating a new and important group of buyers for Infiniti. The designer put it best when he told AN, " It is selling well in China and Russia because it stands out. So we want to maintain that striking look." As it stands, we'll likely be living with the current vehicle for a few more years - AN doesn't expect the third-generation of the FX/QX70 to arrive until 2015 or 2016.