Nissan’s premium car brand Infiniti is preparing a new version of its QX50 mid-sized crossover, and our spy photographers have snapped the upcoming BMW X3 rival testing in the United States ahead of its anticipated release in 2018.
The car in the photographs is disguised with liberally applied black wrapping but that doesn’t hide the new shape, strongly influenced by the QX50 Concept. The concept car made its debut earlier this year at the Detroit Motor Show, and the final production model seems likely to take on many of its design cues with little or no change.
The new generation design language employed on the QX50 means up front a large grille with an oversized badge is flanked by narrow headlights with LED lighting signatures. A muscular looking front bumper with large air intakes appears to sit underneath it.
Looking at the QX50 side on, the car’s window line rises towards the back, while the roofline gently slopes down. A small roof spoiler, horizontal taillights plus two exhaust exits peeking out of the rear bumper complete what should be a sportier look for Infiniti’s crossover.
In the cabin we expect the production QX50 to stick close to the finish and technology previewed in the concept, boasting a minimalist dashboard design and digital instrument display.
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While in terms of design the QX50 may stick to tried and tested brand methods, big changes should be coming under the bonnet. The QX50 Concept revealed at Detroit was used to preview the brand’s new variable-compression turbo petrol engine –a downsized petrol 2.0-litre power unit that will replace the ageing 3.5-litre V6 petrol engine currently used across the brand’s line-up.
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The QX50 will be the first Infiniti to get the new engine, which could also pave the way for a front-wheel-biased all-wheel-drive system to replace the rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive options on the current model. As previewed in the concept, it should also feature new semi-autonomous driving technologies too.
Will the new Infiniti QX50 be a proper BMW X3 rival? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.