Infiniti QX56: the American-built and then Patrol-based full-size SUV

The Infiniti QX56 was a full-size luxury SUV marketed from the 2004 model year. Its first generation was built in the United States on the Nissan Armada, and the second, from 2010, was made in Japan on the Y62 Nissan Patrol; in 2013 the car was renamed QX80.

Infiniti QX56 at a glance

Based on one source: the English Wikipedia article on the Infiniti QX80, which covers the QX56.

History of the Infiniti QX56

First generation (JA60; 2004)

The first QX56 was based on the first-generation Nissan Armada and shared the F-Alpha platform with the first-generation Titan pickup. It was the first Infiniti built in the United States, and it was sold only in the United States, Canada, the GCC countries and Russia. Development began in early 2000 alongside the Armada, the design by Masato Takahashi was reached in early 2001 and frozen in August 2001 for a production start in early 2004. Its 5.6-litre VK56DE V8 made 320 hp at 4,900 rpm and 393 lb·ft at 3,600 rpm, with a five-speed automatic; towing capacity was around 9,000 lb. The only rear door handles were hidden in the C-pillar, a Nissan tradition meant to make the SUV look like a two-door truck with a camper shell.

There was one trim level, with options such as a DVD entertainment system, two- or four-wheel drive and a bench instead of captain chairs in the second row. Standard were a ten-speaker Bose system, DVD navigation, leather, dual-zone climate control, 18-inch chrome alloy wheels and adaptive cruise control, and a precrash system was unusual in the market. From 2006 the third row gained a 60/40 split, and a 2008 facelift brought a revised grille, a redesigned interior, a new intelligent key, electronically folding third-row seats and 20-inch chrome wheels. After the 2006 Q45, the QX56 was Infiniti’s most expensive North American model and its only full-size vehicle.

Second generation (Z62; 2011)

On 31 March 2010 Infiniti showed the 2011 QX56 at the New York International Auto Show. It no longer shared a platform with the Armada: production moved back to Japan and the car shared its body with the Y62 Patrol, the first Patrol-based vehicle sold in North America since 1969. The new 5.6-litre VK56VD V8 had direct injection and VVEL variable valve timing, producing 400 hp and 413 lb·ft, with a seven-speed automatic and a new four-wheel-drive system. The Z62 was 1.4 inches longer and 1.1 inches wider than its predecessor, kept the body-on-frame layout, gained double-wishbone suspension front and rear with the Hydraulic Body Motion Control System, and came with 20-inch wheels as standard and 22-inch wheels as an option. Four-wheel-drive versions had terrain modes for rock, snow, sand and dirt. This generation dropped the hidden rear door handles.

Design and features

• Two origins: the first QX56 was American-built on the Armada, the second Japanese-built on the Patrol.
• V8 power: 320 hp from the VK56DE, then 400 hp from the direct-injection VK56VD.
• Hidden rear handles: the first generation carried its rear door handles in the C-pillar.
• Body-on-frame: both generations kept a ladder chassis, with hydraulic body motion control on the second.

Infiniti QX56 versions

• QX56 JA60 (2004–2010): the Armada-based first generation.
• QX56 Z62 (2011–2013): the Patrol-based second generation.
• QX80 (from 2013): the same car under Infiniti’s new naming.
• Tommykaira QX56 Premium: a tuned version released in Japan in 2013.

The QX56 was Infiniti’s full-size SUV, above the Infiniti FX, and from 2013 it was sold as the QX80. More cars are in the Infiniti collection.

Video: Большой тест-драйв (видеоверсия): Infiniti QX56

Video by Большой тест-драйв on YouTube.

Sources

• Infiniti QX80, English Wikipedia: QX56 generations, engines, equipment, renaming