Infiniti QX80 Red Sport Could Bring 600-Plus Horsepower to the Luxury SUV Fight
Infiniti may finally be ready to give its flagship SUV a much more aggressive edge. According to a new report out of Automotive News, the brand is planning not one but two high-performance versions of the QX80, starting with a revived Red Sport model that could land with roughly 600 horsepower. For a full-size luxury SUV that has traditionally leaned harder into comfort and presence than outright speed, that is a pretty major shift, and it suggests Infiniti wants a bigger piece of the performance-luxury conversation.
The first move is expected to be a limited-production QX80 Red Sport, reportedly headed to dealers next spring. This version is said to add a noticeable bump in power along with hardware and visual upgrades that better match the badge. Think larger brakes, red brake calipers, red “S” badging, and possibly 24-inch wheels to help separate it from the standard QX80 lineup. It sounds like Infiniti is aiming for something that feels quicker, sharper, and more special without completely turning the big SUV into a track toy.
That more extreme version may come a little later. The report claims Infiniti is also working on an even hotter QX80 inspired by the Track Spec concept shown last year, with output expected to climb to around 680 horsepower when it arrives in 2028. If that happens, the QX80 would move well beyond a simple appearance-and-badge package and into more serious territory. Wider fenders, a dedicated suspension tune, and an active exhaust are all reportedly part of the plan, which could make it the most performance-focused Infiniti SUV we have ever seen.
What makes this especially interesting is the strategy behind it. Infiniti reportedly is not expecting these models to be volume sellers, and that actually makes sense. The QX80 Red Sport is said to be targeted at around 600 units per year, which gives it a level of exclusivity while still letting the brand test the waters. It also feels like a smart way to inject some energy into the lineup without overcommitting before seeing how buyers respond to a more muscular take on the company’s biggest SUV.
If this all comes together, Infiniti could have a compelling new halo play on its hands. The standard QX80 already brings the size, luxury, and road presence buyers in this class want, but adding genuine high-performance variants would give the SUV a much stronger personality. In a segment where bold statement vehicles matter almost as much as sales numbers, a 600-plus-hp QX80 Red Sport and an even harder-core follow-up could be exactly the kind of attention grabber Infiniti needs right now.
