Infiniti has made a dramatic entrance at Monterey Car Week 2025, unveiling the QX65 Monograph Concept at The Quail. Unlike many restrained design studies shown at prestigious automotive gatherings, this one feels like a declaration of intent. The QX65 is not here to blend into the crowd of midsize luxury SUVs. Instead, it is positioned as a coupe-inspired SUV that revisits the brand’s daring past while pushing into a new era of design.
Infiniti’s message is clear: this concept is not just another show car, but a shot across the bow of rivals like BMW, Audi, and Porsche.
A Nod to the FX Legacy
The first thing enthusiasts will notice about the QX65 Concept is its familiar silhouette. Its fastback roofline pays deliberate homage to the Infiniti FX, the brand’s early-2000s pioneer that broke the mold for SUVs. When the FX debuted, it was bold enough to make established European rivals rethink their approach to performance utility vehicles.
The QX65 takes that DNA and evolves it. The roofline is sleek, sweeping downwards in a coupe-inspired design, while the stance is athletic and low-slung. This is more than a nostalgic throwback; it is Infiniti reminding the industry that it played a central role in making coupe-SUVs fashionable long before they became mainstream.
Summary Table
Feature | Details |
---|---|
Model | Infiniti QX65 Monograph Concept |
Debut | Monterey Car Week 2025, The Quail |
Design Inspiration | Infiniti FX (early 2000s coupe-style SUV) |
Paint Finish | “Twilight” – shifts between reddish-purple and molten gold |
Wheel Size | 22-inch twisted-spoke alloy wheels |
Design Theme | “Artistry in Motion” – sleek, fastback SUV styling |
Unique Features | Fighter jet-inspired taillights, bamboo-pattern grille, piano key LED lights |
Status | Concept vehicle; production not yet confirmed |
Official Site | www.infiniti.com |
Design Language: Artistry in Motion
Infiniti describes its modern aesthetic direction as “Artistry in Motion.” Marketing terms aside, the QX65 brings that phrase to life with a striking presence. The proportions are long, lean, and aggressive, giving the impression of speed even when the vehicle is stationary.
Key design highlights include:
-
Pronounced wheel arches that emphasize power and stability.
-
Confident fender flares that add muscularity.
-
A wide, planted stance suggesting authority on the road.
-
A grille pattern inspired by bamboo forests, interpreted with dramatic vertical elements resembling stalks that have survived a storm.
This approach transforms the QX65 into more than just a luxury crossover; it becomes a rolling sculpture that commands attention.
Paintwork and Finishing: Twilight Drama
One of the standout features of the QX65 Concept is its unique Twilight paint finish. At first glance, the name sounds romantic, but the execution is far more dynamic. Depending on how the light hits the surface, the paint shifts between hues of reddish-purple and molten gold, resembling the tension of a sunset colliding with a supernova.
This dramatic color treatment is enhanced by:
-
Bronze roof accents that add a premium, contrasting tone.
-
Blacked-out 22-inch wheels with twisted-spoke designs, appearing as though frozen in motion.
The overall effect makes the QX65 appear almost alive under different lighting conditions, ensuring it stands out in any environment.
Lighting and Aeronautical Influence
Infiniti’s design team has infused the QX65 with subtle aviation-inspired elements. The taillights, for example, are shaped in a way that draws comparisons to fighter jet tailfins, though they avoid cliché or overt imitation. Instead, the design is more of an understated nod to performance and engineering precision.
At the front, a digital “piano key” lighting system runs across the fascia, presenting an LED display that feels as dramatic as a Las Vegas light show. This helps the QX65 carve out a futuristic identity, distancing itself from competitors like the BMW X6 and Audi Q8, while making vehicles such as the Range Rover Velar seem understated by comparison.
Concept Today, Future Tomorrow
As of now, the QX65 Monograph remains a concept vehicle, meaning Infiniti has not confirmed production details. However, judging by the reception at Monterey and the brand’s track record, there is a strong possibility that a production model could follow closely in design spirit.
If Infiniti decides to move forward, the QX65 could mark a return to the brand’s disruptive roots challenging norms, rewriting rules, and restoring excitement to the luxury SUV space.
Key Takeaways
The QX65 is more than just an eye-catching showpiece. It re-establishes Infiniti as a daring force in luxury automotive design, one that is willing to make bold choices while drawing on its legacy of innovation. Just as the FX once changed the perception of what an SUV could be, the QX65 might have the potential to do the same for the next generation.
FAQs
Q1: What is the Infiniti QX65 Concept?
A. The Infiniti QX65 Monograph is a midsize luxury SUV concept revealed at Monterey Car Week 2025. It showcases Infiniti’s vision for a bold, coupe-inspired SUV that pays homage to the original Infiniti FX.
Q2: Why is the roofline design important?
A. The fastback roofline is a direct nod to the Infiniti FX, which pioneered coupe-inspired SUV styling in the early 2000s. It symbolizes Infiniti’s heritage in creating unconventional yet stylish vehicles.
Q3: What makes the QX65’s paint unique?
A. The “Twilight” paint finish shifts between reddish-purple and molten gold depending on the lighting, giving the car a dynamic, almost living appearance.
Q4: Will the QX65 go into production?
A. Infiniti has not confirmed production details. However, given the concept’s reception, a production model inspired by the QX65 is highly possible.
Q5: Which vehicles will it compete against if launched?
A. The QX65 would likely compete with the BMW X6, Audi Q8, Porsche Cayenne Coupe, and Range Rover Velar.
Click HERE for more