Updated
We learned in May that the replacement for the current Infiniti QX56 will be a unibody SUV developed in Japan -- quite a change from the U.S.-engineered, body-on-frame truck we have today. Presumably, it will be a bit smaller as well.
It has been suggested that this new SUV might be based on the Nissan Patrol/Safari, but we're skeptical since the Patrol has always used body-on-frame design.
Regardless, a vehicle that seems to be the 2011 Infiniti QX56 debuted at a venue in the Middle East (ha, just kidding) at a dealer meeting in Las Vegas. Some enterprising attendee managed to get two shots before building/Nissan security came and got him. These not-at-all-sharp shots are now all over the web. And there's an unmistakable resemblance to a 2010 Nissan Patrol spy shot that has also been around the web.
Here's the official comment from Infiniti regarding these images: "Infiniti does not comment on future products, although we do have many on the way. In the coming months, Infiniti will provide official information and photos of those future vehicles."
Second image after the jump.
wasaabi92 says:
06:36 PM, 09/10/09
I know I'm gonna get hated on ... but that looks AWESOME! Vastly improved!
xopowo14 says:
06:43 PM, 09/10/09
Looks like a Lexus LX570. Might as well copy what sells. That tincan piece of junk they're selling now isn't worth the trouble.
jackson611 says:
07:14 PM, 09/10/09
it looks like an LX570/range rover/current QX
albook says:
07:28 PM, 09/10/09
Not bad...improvement. Not feeling the rear end, but I'll have to see it in person. I'm just glad there isn't a hump in the roof.
larryzek says:
07:30 PM, 09/10/09
Loving it. Great looking full-size SUV.
bemerfreak says:
07:56 PM, 09/10/09
mix breed toyota landcrusier/range rover
fuhteng says:
08:04 PM, 09/10/09
And Japanese vehicles keep getting uglier. What a foul creation.
dalaw says:
08:34 PM, 09/10/09
Wow this thing looks good. I think Nissan/Infiniti is on a roll in terms of styling, unlike Toyota and Honda.
icecubefosho says:
08:42 PM, 09/10/09
I'm a Nissan/Infiniti Enthusiast
I've owned a 1991 Q45, a 2000 Q45, and now I drive a 2006 Nissan Xterra SE...
I PRAISE Nissan/Infiniti nonstop and I'm a total Toyota/Lexus basher. I thought the 2011 M56 was brilliant.
Now this...
This is a disgrace...
This is a copy of the Lexus LX.
This is NOT an SUV, the Xterra is! This isn't a sporty vehicle that I can see going offroad comfortably, This is a B***H-mobile and Nissan really has made me ashamed today. I think my plan of getting an FX50S next instead of the QX56 successor is back on track.
drewsrx says:
08:48 PM, 09/10/09
icecube, get your eyes checked man, this looks nothing like the Lexus LX. They are completely different.
This new QX looks pretty great!
mrbacon says:
10:42 PM, 09/10/09
I like it.
carluvr1 says:
11:00 PM, 09/10/09
i live at the beach and i see plenty current gen Armadas/QX56's my parents own an armada. great vehicle i do say big powerful roomy... Im a Nissan/Infiniti fan and enjoy how Infiniti brings out these non conforming designs... aint that what car design is about ?... it shouldnt be bread and butter *coughtoyotacough*... this new gen QX is definitly a brute and its design is excellent.. that side view to me has a hint of ford flex roofline and shape.
carluvr1 says:
11:04 PM, 09/10/09
i live at the beach and i see plenty current gen Armadas/QX56's my parents own an armada. great vehicle i do say big powerful roomy... Im a Nissan/Infiniti fan and enjoy how Infiniti brings out these non conforming designs... aint that what car design is about ?... it shouldnt be bread and butter *coughtoyotacough*... this new gen QX is definitly a brute and its design is excellent.. that side view to me has a hint of ford flex roofline and shape.
rallyandbosox says:
11:41 PM, 09/10/09
and I didn't think Infiniti could make the QX56 any uglier.
ctpax says:
12:02 AM, 09/11/09
looks like a mix of Flex and Range Rover.
zoomzoomn says:
04:29 AM, 09/11/09
So, will Nissan get a decontented version as an Armada replacement? There's alot of Armada owners fretting Nissan's decision to kill it.
wizard8873 says:
05:35 AM, 09/11/09
reminds me of the flex looking at the front. doesn't look good or bad but def looks much better than the current one.
thejohnp says:
09:00 AM, 09/11/09
Looks like a fat Scion.
felonious says:
09:02 AM, 09/11/09
I hereby officially dub this car the "Flexus". :D
iskch says:
09:43 AM, 09/11/09
Either way looks better than the current one. For the NISSAN part just bring the old PATROL.. PERIOD.
rsholland says:
09:46 AM, 09/11/09
From what I can see, I like these upcoming full-size Infinitis and Nissan SUVs. I don't care for the rear-quarter window, however, with it's unusual reverse angle. Besides looking awkward, the shape of the window restricts visibility somewhat; not a good idea in any vehicle, much less a SUV where visibility if often less than ideal.
Also worth noting is that the Infiniti appears to have a height-adjustable suspension, as it is clearly sitting much closer to the ground than the Nissan version.
compliance says:
09:46 AM, 09/11/09
Who slapped Pep-Boys fender vents on Nissan's floor model?
What is with all the incredibly ugly new cars coming out? This thing looks goofy.
fixxxer says:
09:55 AM, 09/11/09
Looks good, except for the wanna-be-gangster/pimp-my-ride/whip/baller side air vent near the front. I get that those are hip and popular, and everything has it, but looks terrible, and fake
tshoe says:
10:32 AM, 09/11/09
I have always like the original but a bit big, bulky for my needs, and not good MPG. This looks better and in a better package too. Front looks better than rear. More of a real SUV vs. their FX.
tigz says:
10:34 AM, 09/11/09
Looks luxurious
silverstang1 says:
11:43 AM, 09/11/09
good job copying the flex and adding some infiniti flair.....
mayoarceo says:
11:49 AM, 09/11/09
Love it, looks pretty mean.
fast_cars says:
12:20 PM, 09/11/09
I like it better than the old model, although the front looks to me like a PT Cruiser without the augmented front fender bulge. And good that Infinity finally got rid of that odd back door handle on the old model. Thank you Infinity!
93aero says:
12:56 PM, 09/11/09
ugh, i like the current qxx56 better, despite its hump. this is what happens when an HHR and G37 have an obese child
roar02ram says:
04:47 PM, 09/11/09
It's a bit over the top (+1 on the side vent hate-aration), but at least there's some STYLING on this thing!
infimini says:
06:30 PM, 09/11/09
I've always loved the current QX and this new one is just a beauty. Infiniti has done a great job coming up with bold and good-looking designs lately. Look forward to seeing the rest of it! (Only problem is the side vents. Get rid of them! This isnt Ford.)
tp660 says:
02:30 PM, 09/12/09
Yeah, you can clearly see the Lexus LX570 influence in the back end design of this. But Infiniti probably got the front end design from this http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2005/01/10/automobiles/10nug.kuraza.583.jpg
majin_ssj_eric says:
06:34 PM, 09/12/09
Lots of complaints for two grainy and incomplete pics of the actual truck..
taataa says:
12:17 PM, 09/13/09
First I would like to say that The 2011 QX56's "Rough Draft" is right on Par. It is a Sweet looking Ride Thus Far, @ least I Think So.... The front looks very Sporty & Nice Too. It's almost right except the Grille needs to contour and cater to the "Jazzy" Lights for a little more continuity and togetherness. Or The lights just needs to be a little bigger to go with Grille. Either adjustment will make it look that much better. Nice wheels but just remember to keep that Nice, Comfortable, Quiet Ride like the 2009 & 2010 QX56 while still Maintaining the Sporty New look. Now the Back of the truck should be sporty too, but come on Infiniti??? If you all will be selling it as a FX, Nissan or the original Patrol, Then It will do ok i guess, But come on, Your Not, So You all can do better than that. This is the United States, We want what we want and we want it fast and done Right The First Time. If we cant get it the way it should be, We wont buy it!!! Its an Infiniti and needs Its own identity. Like Nike says, Just Do It. Blow Past Lexus, And Land Rover. Make them Copy YOU... Take a Look back at the Original Qx56 tailights, make those tailights sportier but still nice at the same time. Infiniti will make this Truck "The Bomb"!!!! You all are almost there.. Great Job So Far
cokoye says:
11:44 AM, 09/15/09
Shame on anyone who copares this to LX. I knew Infiniti will not disappoint me. My heart has been racing and pounding uncontrollablly at the site of the magnificient machine. Is it the look, the poise, elegance, design? Infiniti has hit this out of the ball park. Dealerships better be making spaces for we are going to show this to the world. Have I mentioned the large sedan M56. I am impressed already. Thank God.
deandre94 says:
02:52 PM, 09/15/09
Infiniti is my favorite car company and this just reminded me why. I really like the front but I visually don't see anything wrong with the rear. This is one of the most sportiest styled full size trucks. I love this and my favorite car the INFINITI M.
And for anyone saying this looks like a Lexus cut the crap. If you look at the Kuraza Concept you would see where design cues came from. This is 100 percent Infiniti.
lillysunrise says:
01:45 AM, 09/26/09
OK PPL:) EVERY ONE HAS A DIFFERENT OPINION ABOUT THE INFINITI QX56. WELL AS FOR ME I HAVE THE QX56 2010:) I LOVE IT:) NOW FOR THIS NEW INFINITI QX56 IS VERY NICE CLEAN AND SPORTY AT THE SAME TIME. I DONT HAVE KIDS SO I DONT CARE ABOUT THE ADDITIONAL SPACE. ONCE IT COME TO THE DEALER I WILL CHECK IT OUT AND I WILL POST MY COMMENT. BUT AS DEFENITLY I AM GETTING ANOTHER QX56 TO MY GARAGE:)