- Infiniti is coming around to futurist design as it reveals the ultra-modern 2024 Infiniti QX Monograph at Monterey Car Week.
- Based on the flagship QX80 SUV, Infiniti says it’s entering an evolutionary state of design, as it cites specific Japanese design philosophies like Kabuku.
- Red dominates the color palette of the QX Monograph, featuring red highlighted wheels, red tinted windows, and a light-changing paint color based on a setting sun.
There was a time when Infiniti was one of the legendary Japanese automakers, ushering in the four-door, gentle person’s version of the 350z. Its G35/G37 sedans and Q-series coupes have become ubiquitous in the enthusiast scene, but its crossover and SUV offerings haven’t always reached such desirable levels.
But a fresh, exciting design could change all that, as Infiniti reveals its 2024 QX Monograph edition at Monterey Car Week. At a glance, this SUV certainly looks like a major change, but the company says it’s actually part of the brand’s ongoing design evolution.
“We approach each Infiniti design from the perspective of an artwork, with the aim of evoking emotion and intrigue,” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president of global design. “The QX Monograph presented a sizable canvas for us to explore Infiniti’s artistry at maximum scale and create something bold.”
On this QX80 canvas, a few key features stand out, namely the digital piano key lighting wrapping around the front of the car. A new Infiniti logo is also present for the first time, 3D enlarged on the nose of the car.
By shaving down the door handles, the QX Monograph has a smoothed finish, in a purposeful move to de-emphasis the formerly boxy shape.
Proportioning out the QX Monograph was arguably the most important part of its design, Infiniti said. Inspired by the Japanese design philosophies of “Ma,” the mastery of empty space; “Utsuroi,” representing seamless transitions; and “Kabuku,” which translates to provocative and extraordinary, Infiniti wanted to reinterpret the QX80’s shape.
Infiniti didn’t say what size wheels are fitted, but we suspect these are at least 21-inches.
What that translates to visually is a tall hood line that continues to the hips of the trunk, but it’s not this geometrically satisfying design that stood out to us. The most striking part of the SUV is its red highlighted, gloss black, and shadow chrome spoked turbine-looking wheels.
Similarly, the model-specific paint hue is a visual dance of sorts, as it goes from dark and reflective to light and creamy depending on the light. Infiniti calls this paint color Akane, citing its inspiration as a warm glowing red sunset transitioning into a dark night sky.
The double arch form grille is new for 2024 and is allegedly inspired by a tranquil bamboo forest.
The red highlights continue through the glass, as Infiniti says the windows are ever-so-slightly tinted red for ultimate privacy and sun protection. Coming around the rear of the car further invokes the red vignette, as the body-contoured tail light housings sport factory-installed smoked lamps.
The boxy QX platform has undeniably received a strong but legacy-honoring makeover, even if we don’t know much about its mechanics. Given its QX80 bones, the burly, 400-hp 5.6-liter V8 may be present, though the evolutionary rhetoric means Infiniti may opt for a more modern powerplant.
Additionally, being based on Infiniti’s flagship model means this special edition won’t be cheap, especially considering the QX80’s nearly $75,000 sticker price. Infiniti has yet to reveal its price, production numbers, or delivery date, but we suspect this model will go for upwards of $80,000, especially if its interior is characteristically draped in cushy leather.
How do you feel about boxy vehicles with rounded edges, like the QX Monograph or Hyundai’s new Santa Fe? Does it remind you of any previous design era? Please share your thoughts below.
Associate Editor
A New York transplant hailing from the Pacific Northwest, Emmet White has a passion for anything that goes: cars, bicycles, planes, and motorcycles. After learning to ride at 17, Emmet worked in the motorcycle industry before joining Autoweek in 2022. The woes of alternate side parking have kept his fleet moderate, with a 2014 Volkswagen Jetta GLI and a 2003 Honda Nighthawk 750 street parked in his South Brooklyn community.
Read the full article here