Ahead of its scheduled debut at the 2016 Beijing Auto Show, Infiniti revealed a teaser image of the QX Sport Inspiration concept car. The QX Sport Inspiration is expected to replace Infiniti QX70.
According to the British publication Autocar, Infiniti did not confirm whether the QX Sport would arrive to the UK auto market, but the auto experts consider is an early indicator of the expected QX70 replacement. The current model of Infiniti QX70 was previously been called FX. With subtle design tweaks the QX70 has received a facelift in the year 2015.
The QX Sport Inspiration's design is inspired from the Q60 concept announced in 2015, at the Detroit Auto Show. Infiniti unveiled a year later its Q60 coupé in the production version, a car almost identical to the concept.
The released teaser picture of the QX Sport Inspiration illustrates SUV-like proportions highlighted with extra-wide wheel arches, floating A-pillars and wide muscular lines inspired from the Q60 Concept.
According to the same publication, the QX design concept represents Infiniti's vision of a mid-size, premium crossover SUV. The QX Sport Inspiration will become a potential rival to the BMW X5 and Porsche Cayenne.
The company announced in a press release on Wednesday, April 13, that the QX Sport Inspiration explores the Infiniti's vision for a next-generation midsize crossover with SUV-like proportions. Alfonso Albaisa, executive design director for Nissan Motor Co.'s luxury brand, declared in the statement that the upcoming crossover SUV "expresses a power and purpose that is uniquely Infiniti." Albaisa added that the concept car features a flowing, natural aesthetic that demonstrates the Infiniti brand's vision for future QX SUV models.
According to the publication Automotive News Europe, with QX Sport Inspiration, Infiniti aims to take advantage of China's booming demand for crossovers and SUVs. The sporty concept that previews the look of Infiniti's future utility vehicles will be unveiled at this month's Beijing Auto Show.
In the January-March quarter in China, growing sales of crossovers and SUVs have led to a 6.8 percent increase in passenger vehicle sales, for a total sales volume of 5.67 million units. According to IHS Automotive, this year in China sales of SUVs are expected to increase 13 percent, outpacing overall market growth. In China the local market share for SUVs has climbed from just 10 percent in 2010 to around 30 percent today, according to the same publication.
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