When we first covered the possibility of an Infiniti QX80 Red Sport, the idea was already intriguing: take Infiniti’s full-size luxury SUV, give it a major power bump, and create something with enough presence and performance to challenge the high-output luxury SUV crowd. Now, the story has changed slightly, but perhaps in a good way. The QX80 Red Sport is reportedly being delayed to 2028 because Infiniti wants it to deliver more than just extra horsepower.

The original plan called for the QX80 Red Sport to arrive much sooner, possibly as early as this year, with around 600 horsepower and a sportier visual treatment. That would have been a sizable jump over the current QX80’s 450-horsepower twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. But according to the latest report, Infiniti realized that power alone would not be enough for a six-figure performance SUV of this size. Buyers in that space expect the whole package, not just a hotter engine tune.

That means the delayed QX80 Red Sport is now expected to get more serious mechanical upgrades, including a retuned suspension, stronger brakes, and a more aggressive setup overall. Infiniti is reportedly targeting a 0-to-60 mph time under five seconds, which would be a major improvement for a three-row luxury SUV this large. For comparison, the standard all-wheel-drive QX80 Autograph has been tested at just over six seconds to 60 mph, so the Red Sport would need meaningful power and chassis improvements to hit that goal confidently.

The styling is also expected to become more dramatic than originally planned. Look for wider fenders, a revised grille, a reworked lower front fascia, aerodynamic add-ons, 24-inch wheels, and an active exhaust system to help separate the Red Sport from regular QX80 models. The cabin should also receive upgrades that make it feel more special than the already well-appointed QX80 Sport and Autograph trims. If Infiniti is asking buyers to spend well into six-figure territory, that extra sense of occasion will matter.

Pricing has not been finalized, but the Red Sport is expected to cost about $30,000 more than the current QX80 Sport, which starts at $104,140. That would likely place the performance model somewhere above $130,000 before options. Infiniti reportedly hopes to sell more than 600 units annually, which suggests this will be a niche flagship rather than a mainstream trim. That also makes the delay easier to understand, as the brand may only get one shot to make this kind of model feel credible.

The bigger question is what this means for the QX80 Track Spec concept that was previously expected to sit above the Red Sport with nearly 700 horsepower. With the Red Sport now getting more of the hardware and attitude originally reserved for the Track Spec, that more extreme version may no longer make the same business case. For now, the follow-up to our earlier QX80 Red Sport coverage is clear: Infiniti still appears serious about building a performance flagship SUV, but it wants the finished product to feel properly developed. If that means waiting until 2028 for a stronger, sharper, and more complete QX80 Red Sport, the delay could be worth it.