Infiniti recently debuted the QX80 Track Spec concept. It was a not-so-subtle hint that Infiniti’s baller QX80, which is the brand’s halo product, could get even more baller. That fire-breather was said to be tuned for 650 horsepower and 750 foot-pounds of torque. That’s way above the stock QX80’s 450 horsepower and 516 foot-pounds of torque from its twin-turbo V-6, which is code-named VR35DDTT.
Now that’s fine as a one-off, but apparently the mad minds at Infiniti were only teasing. For next week’s Specialty Equipment Manufacturer’s Association show in Las Vegas (shorthand: SEMA), Infiniti will bring what they’re calling an “R-Spec” QX80 with a 1,000-horsepower V-6 from the now-discontinued Nissan GT-R. The build is quite impressive. The question is whether it matters. But we’ll get into that right here.
What’s With The “Spec?”
First of all, Nissan and Infiniti have a thing for the word “Spec.” With the GT-R, there was a Spec-V version of that car, which was a uniquely “lightweighted” GT-R. And the letter R matters here, too, because RXX (fill in the XXs) referred to the series of GT-R model, as in R32, R35, etc. As for production Spec-R vehicles, in Japan there was a Silvia that went by Spec-R back in the 1990s. So the nomenclature is no accident.
The Spec Of The QX80 R-Spec
By the numbers, this thing is indeed a monster. It gets the VR38DETT GT-R NISMO engine. Mind you, at the end of production, the NISMO version of that V-6 was goosing out 600 horsepower and 487 pound-feet in the GT-R sports car. Here, Infiniti is claiming north of 1,000 horsepower. Infiniti says they swapped out the stock turbos for a set of G-Series from Garrett, and went with custom ETS exhaust manifolds. They also used modified fuel injectors for increased delivery, changed the engine management system, then went to racing JE pistons, Boostline rods, and ARP rod bolts. Basically, the top of the motor has been modified to something more appropriate for the track than the street.
Infiniti also added a rear e-locker for the differential, to handle the excessive power output.
Beyond The Muscle
For the suspension, Infiniti switched out the stock suspension for coilovers, with Eibach ERS springs. They also modified the steering rack for quicker response while also going with stiffer bump-steer knuckles, and then revamped the brakes. The latter are off the R35 GT-R, and they’re now carbon-ceramic stoppers. Grip comes from massive, Yokohama PARADA Spec-X tires (315/35/24-inch). The wheels are customized and riff off a GT-R theme, and unlike in the shots of the Track Spec concept on this page, are painted bronze. Infiniti didn’t mention how this Godzilla handles, but given that there’s an available NISMO edition of its cousin, the Nissan Armada, it only makes sense that Infiniti began with that fast people mover as their floor and shot skyward from there.
Purple: For Royalty
Although this is just a wrap, Infiniti says the hue matters. It’s called Midnight Purple, and pays tribute to GT-R R34 and R35 GT-R generations. Infiniti also revised the rig’s exhaust finishers, diffusers, fog lights, and badging. Tiago Castro, vice president, Infiniti Americas didn’t say this vehicle will come to dealers, but he did say the goal with this show car is to inspire the brand to bring…
“…high-performance variants that offer a broader breadth of adrenaline-pumping capabilities for our clients. [Cars] that combine visceral performance with incomparable refinement.”—Tiago Castro, Vice President, Infiniti Americas
TopSpeed’s Take
Infiniti hasn’t exactly been firing on all cylinders during Nissan’s many struggles. But like the parent company, it’s pretty clear the carmaker isn’t sitting still. And they are making surprising inroads, particularly boosting their reputation for quality. They’ll need more models, but doing more with less—by making muscular versions in limited runs—is an age-old solution to boosting demand while you wait for diversified offerings. Infiniti certainly used to stand for performance, especially as a more serious rival to the Germans, while Lexus went after softer luxury. Infiniti still has that potential, and the Godzilla DNA to lean on.
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