IT has been a little over a year since the introduction of the new QX80 – the marque's flagship full size SUV, and the vehicle continues to deliver in spades for Infiniti. Launched in December 2014, the uptake for the new model has been strong with Infiniti delivering 1,521 vehicles in 2015, up 7% compared to the previous year. "We have delivered over 1,700 of the new QX80's across the Middle East since the introduction of the new vehicle. This number is even more significant because it marks the highest such results for this model, since we first launched it in 2010," said Juergen Schmitz, Managing Director, Infiniti Middle East. Sales for the Infiniti QX80 are led by Saudi Arabia accounting for 32%. This is closely followed by UAE and Oman which have both contributed strongly for 2015. The extensive exterior design refinements focus on the QX80's frontend appearance, with new upper grille shape and added lower grille. The revised front fascia also features new LED high/low beam headlights, LED turn signals, LED fog lights and a new bumper with flush-mounted sonar sensors. "The successes of the QX80 are testament to the number of design changes to the exterior as well as the host of new features inside that deliver supreme comfort for up to eight passengers alongside the latest safety technologies," added Schmitz. The QX80 boasts several new technologies starting with the advanced High Beam Assist and Predictive Forward Collision Warning (PFCW) systems. The PFCW system, which comes as standard on the Luxury Grade, warns the driver of risks that lie beyond the driver's forward field of vision. It not only senses the relative velocity and distance of a vehicle directly ahead, but also of a vehicle travelling in front of the preceding one. Rounding off the suite of advanced safety systems, the QX80 also includes Front Emergency Braking and Front Collision Warning System, alongside available features such as Blind Spot Warning, Blind Spot Intervention, Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP). On the promise of performance, the QX80 doesn't disappoint. The proven 5.6-liter V8 engine combines the responsive acceleration of Infiniti's VVEL (Variable Valve Event & Lift) technology with the efficiency of Direct Injection Gasoline (DIG) to produce 400 horsepower and 560Nm of torque. A smooth 7-speed automatic transmission is standard on all models.
