Infiniti Crams 1,000 Horsepower Into QX80, But Just for SEMA
It wasn’t enough for Infiniti to add a darker-looking QX80 Sport model for 2026 or to show a 650-horsepower QX80 Track Spec concept during Monterey Car Week this past summer. The struggling Japanese luxury brand wants to make an even bigger statement—for what it’s worth—with a crazy build for the upcoming SEMA Show in Las Vegas (Nov. 4-7).
Meet the QX80 R-Spec, another concept that turns the full-size SUV into a 1,000-horsepower beast. Sounds crazy? Well, maybe it is.
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The “R” in this case refers to Nissan’s now-discontinued GT-R, the twin-turbocharged V6 of which has been heavily modified including custom turbochargers, intercoolers and exhaust manifolds, plus an upgraded fuel system.
The road-going QX80, remember, uses its own twin-turbo V6, but this one has a displacement of 3.5 litres and generates 450 horsepower along with 516 lb-ft of torque.
"With the QX80 R-Spec build, we challenged ourselves to explore an even more extreme direction for QX80 as we look to a future with high-performance variants that offer a broader breadth of adrenaline-pumping capabilities for our clients,” Infiniti Americas VP Tiago Castro said. “We gave our team the freedom to be creative and dream of the unexpected as we redefine the future of luxury in a way that combines visceral performance with incomparable refinement."
Of course, you don’t kid around with 1,000 horsepower under the hood of such a large and heavy SUV. Some killer brakes are required, hence the custom carbon ceramic brakes fitted by Infiniti. That’s in addition to a custom coilover suspension that optimizes handling and 315 section-width tires for exceptional grip.
Meanwhile, the bronze 24-inch wheels are designed to resemble those from the GT-R, the custom body kit is wider, lower and aerodynamically enhanced following the example set by the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition, and the colour-shifting wrap pays homage to the Midnight Purple made famous on the R34 and R35 GT-R generations. Pretty cool.
Rounding out the exterior modifications are restyled exhaust finishers, diffusers, fog lights and badges. Take a closer look with our photo gallery at the top of the page, and keep following The Car Guide to see other head-turning builds and concepts from the 2025 SEMA Show!