Infiniti QX56 (2011) leaks

Infiniti's doubtless very able - but visually 'Challenged' - 2011 QX56

If you’re reading this from the New World side of the Pond you’ll know exactly what the Infiniti QX is. It’s a full sized SUV from Nissan’s luxury arm Infiniti, aimed right at the North American love of big 4x4s, but also sold in the Middle East and Russia. The current version of the QX56 has been on the market since 2004 and is at the end of its shelf life, with a new 2011 Infiniti QX56 debuting at the New York Motor Show this week. Which is, unfortunately, the photo you see at the top.

On paper this should be a crackingly good vehicle. It’s based on the new 2010 Nissan Patrol, so you get one of the most capable off-road vehicles on the planet garnished with lashings of luxury, comfort and toys. What could go wrong? Well, the designer could be myopic, with a secret desire to pen the suprsized love child of Postman Pat’s van and a PT Cruiser. Which can be the only explanation for this monstrosity.

Infiniti have taken the very big but acceptable-looking 2011 Nissan Patrol and grafted on an Infiniti front and rear, which frankly makes the QX56 a total abomination. Why would anyone who doesn’t need a white stick to go for a walk buy this? Surely America has got past the stage of believing that the bigger and ‘Bolder’ it is the better? Why would anyone buy this instead of the equally able but far better looking Nissan Patrol?

The current Nissan Patrol is actually made in North America. Nissan plan on taking production back to Japan, perhaps as a prelude to launching the Infiniti QX to a wider market.

Let’s just hope they don’t harbour any plans to bring this thing to the UK.

By Cars UK