Despite the tough times Nissan is facing, the company is still operating business as usual in many respects, including reveal of the Infiniti QX60 Monograph ahead of the Beijing Motor Show.
While the QX60 is an actual vehicle, the Monograph is a concept, aimed at showing where the future of the model is headed in terms of its overall design. The concept previews some of the proportions and design elements that will be hallmarks on the luxury brand’s future three-row SUV.
“We commenced the design of the Monograph knowing this was an opportune time to start a discussion about where we are planning to take the QX60 in the future and more broadly, where we are heading as a brand with our design language'” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president, Global Design, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., during the online presentation made available on social media.
(First Drive: Infiniti Q50 Red Sport AWD.)
Albaisa noted that the QX60 is the brand’s go-to choice for families so it was important to keep the design relatable while adding more sophistication, even some masculinity, to the exterior, telling the world that this is a luxury vehicle.
“Viewed from the side, the Monograph shows off its powerful horizontal hood, muscular fenders and long wheelbase. Paired with the gentle rake of the A-pillar and tapered, teardrop-like glasshouse, the result is a long sweeping, sophisticated profile,” the company noted.
It also features some unique touches, including wheels embossed with the Infiniti name. The QX60 Monograph rides on large alloy wheels that fill the pronounced fenders that basically scream that this is an athletic, performance-oriented vehicle.
(Infiniti teases coupe-like QX55 crossover.)
At the rear, the wide body and track, paired with horizontal window line are supposed to give the QX60 Monograph a sense of stability — this is a capable machine, if you will. That feeling of stability is enhanced by the high shoulder line, which raises its “visual center of gravity.” That shoulder melds into the gloss black roof, a design cue aimed at making the ute look aerodynamic, accented by the integrated rear roof spoiler.
“The QX60 Monograph embodies the Japanese concept of `Ma,’ a sense of minimalism where designers seek harmony, adding just the right number of elements with very specific meaning to create something special,” said Albaisa. “This is evident on the body, where at a glance it is simple, but when you get closer, you see that there are elements that are playing against each other in a sense of harmony.”
Designers also wanted to capture that bit of culture, accomplishing this through the intricate folds of traditional Japanese origami that are the inspiration for the inner mesh of the signature `Double Arch’ Infiniti grille as well as the side air intakes. The result is a two-dimensional surface that projects a sense of three-dimensional depth, the company noted.
(Infiniti QX30 is one of the many familiar nameplates going away during the 2020 model year.)
No exterior update would be complete without statement lighting, and the Monograph certainly shines in that arena. Featuring intricate “Digital Piano Key” lighting at the front and rear that projects a futuristic appearance, it reveals the brand’s “desire to blend human artistry with the latest technology.” The new production version of the QX60 is set to be revealed sometime next year.
