Nissan dropped the GT-R engine under the hood of the Infiniti QX80 SUV

Earlier this year, Infiniti finally unveiled the all-new third-generation QX80 — a long-awaited replacement for a model that had stayed in production for an incredible 14 years. Now, to keep the buzz going, the company has revealed a wild concept version called the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec — a track-focused show car powered by the same heart that once drove the Nissan GT-R supercar.

Turning a full-size luxury SUV into something with racetrack DNA isn’t as crazy as it sounds. Back in the summer, Infiniti showcased the QX80 Track Spec concept, and its siblings — the Nissan Patrol and Armada — have already received factory-tuned Nismo performance versions. Still, the new QX80 R-Spec is on another level entirely: it’s powered by the legendary 3.8-liter twin-turbo V6 VR38DETT, borrowed from the now-discontinued Nissan GT-R Nismo.

For this SUV, the engine’s output has been cranked up from the GT-R’s stock 600 hp to a mind-bending 1,014 hp — supercar territory. The boost comes courtesy of reinforced pistons, new Garrett G-series turbos, upgraded intake and exhaust manifolds, high-efficiency intercoolers, a new fuel system, and a Motec ECU. According to Infiniti engineers, the swap isn’t just for show: it highlights the link between the QX80’s new 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6, whose design was partly inspired by the GT-R’s legendary powerplant.

To handle that much power, the R-Spec rides on a lowered suspension setup with Eibach ERS adjustable coilovers and springs, along with a reworked steering shaft for sharper feedback. The carbon-ceramic brakes, also sourced from the GT-R, ensure this 3-ton beast can actually stop.

Visually, the concept stands out with a stunning Midnight Purple wrap, a nod to the GT-R’s signature color. The SUV also sports a widened body kit, an aggressive front splitter, a functional rear diffuser, and four signature blue exhaust tips integrated into the bumper. The 24-inch bronze-anodized wheels mirror the GT-R’s design language and are wrapped in Yokohama Parada Spec-X tires sized 315/35 for maximum grip.

The Infiniti QX80 R-Spec will make its live debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, running from November 4–7. It’s a one-off creation with no plans for production — partly because the GT-R’s 3.8-liter VR38DETT engine has officially been retired along with the car itself.