Infinit’s concept for a mid-sized premium SUV had made its European debut at the 2016 Paris Motor Show.

The Infiniti QX Sport Inspiration is an elegant and powerful expression of progressive SUV design. Laying down markers for future Infiniti QX models, the QX Sport Inspiration explores the brand’s vision for a next-generation, premium mid-size SUV. 

The concept includes several new design elements.

The QX Sport Inspiration stands out in its segment with its taut lines, muscular haunches, high visual center of gravity, long bonnet and raked, coupe-like silhouette. Immediately recognizable as an Infiniti, the QX Sport Inspiration is inspired by Infiniti’s ‘Powerful Elegance’ form language and bears the brand’s design hallmarks – including the signature double-arch grille, focused ‘human eye’ headlamps, ‘crescent-cut’ pillar and masculine, fluid body sculpting.  

Flowing lines and advanced craftsmanship characterise the spacious and beautifully appointed interior, which follows Infiniti’s ‘driver-centric, passenger-minded’ approach to cabin architecture. 

The interior’s color palette – predominantly black and white with flashes of the hide’s natural tan color, as well as new dark brown leather for the Paris Motor Show – is striking, yet harmoniously blended through careful use of line, form, and texture.

“The QX Sport Inspiration is a statement of intent from Infiniti, showcasing a daring design philosophy and a demonstration of our capabilities in the mid-size SUV segment,” says Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti.

The concept promises off-road versatility, aided by its raised, 230 mm (9.1 in) ground clearance, as well as the empowering, in-control on-road driving characteristics and cruising comfort that is expected of any Infiniti. The concept features a lean, purposeful form, with a short front overhang and wide stance – total width (excluding rear-view cameras) is approx. 1,900 mm (74.8 in), while length is 4,600 mm (181 in).

Infiniti has launched a number of new models recently which adhere closely to the form and philosophy of concept models – notably the Q30, the QX30 and the Q60. All share a suite of signature design cues that help ensure each is immediately recognisable as an Infiniti.

The QX Sport Inspiration evolves these signature design elements, including a new interpretation of Infiniti’s hallmark ‘crescent-cut’ D-pillar, where the leading edge of the crescent is raised – echoing that of the acclaimed Q80 Inspiration Concept. Bringing added emphasis to this feature, the curvature of the D-pillars is mirrored in the lines of the rear hatch window. 

In profile the bodywork tapers down from the concept’s roof (1,650 mm – 64.9 in – maximum height) toward a rear hatch that has been angled to accentuate the vehicle’s ‘lean-forward’, coupe-like silhouette.

At the front, the line from the top of Infiniti’s familiar double-arch grille extends through the sharp, high-performance, focused ‘human-eye’ headlamps, with new chrome detail for its Paris appearance. The ‘human-eye’ element is another Infiniti signature design theme and, contoured around the edge of the hood, forms a character line that runs over the wide, flared front wheel arches and along the flanks to the tapered rear.

Infiniti Motor Company is headquartered in Hong Kong with sales operations in over 50 countries.  

The 2016 Paris Motor Show runs until October 13.