1000HP QX80 R-Spec: GT-R Power In An SUV, A Race-Inspired Build Platform
Industry news, December 2025
At the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Infiniti showed the QX80 R-Spec: its flagship three-row luxury SUV fitted with a tuned version of the Nissan GT-R's twin-turbo V6, built to be capable of 1,000 horsepower.
It is a one-off project vehicle and not for sale. But the build sheet reads like a proper race car's, and it is a good excuse to look at what it takes to make a big, heavy car go, stop and turn, and where the parts we sell come into a project like this.
- Shown at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas
- Nissan GT-R R35 VR38 twin-turbo V6, tuned to be capable of 1,000 hp
- Garrett G-series turbos, MOTEC engine management
- MCS three-way coilovers with Eibach ERS springs
- R35 GT-R carbon ceramic brakes, 24-inch wheels, 315/35/24 tyres
- A one-off build, not available to buy
What is on this page
The engine
The standard QX80 already uses a twin-turbo V6 related to the GT-R’s, which is why Infiniti chose a GT-R engine as the donor. The R-Spec uses the R35 GT-R’s VR38 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, heavily reworked.
According to Infiniti’s build sheet, the engine has JE pistons, Boostline rods with ARP rod bolts, ETS exhaust manifolds with Garrett G-series turbochargers, and MOTEC engine management. There is a custom flex-fuel system with 2,600 cc injectors and a Fuel Lab pump, a custom intake feeding twin front-mounted intercoolers, and CSF engine and transmission coolers. A custom CNC adapter mates the engine to the transmission, and an E-Locker locking rear differential puts the power down.
Suspension, brakes and wheels
Power is only half of it. The R-Spec sits on custom MCS three-way coilovers with external reservoirs and Eibach ERS springs. The steering rack has been relocated with a custom steering shaft, and modified knuckles deal with bump steer at the lower ride height.
The brakes are R35 GT-R carbon ceramics, with custom caliper adapters and disc bells to fit the QX80. They sit behind 24-inch GT-R-inspired wheels, 12 inches wide, on Yokohama Parada Spec-X tyres in 315/35/24.
The look
The styling takes its cue from the GT-R T-Spec Takumi Edition. There is a custom wide-body kit with functional aerodynamics, a custom APR front splitter, and restyled exhausts, diffuser, fog lights and badges.
The colour is a colour-shifting Midnight Purple wrap, a nod to the famous GT-R shade used on the R34 and R35. In the photos it moves from blue to purple depending on the light.
Why it is interesting to us
Infiniti says the R-Spec is a specially modified vehicle that is not available to buy, and it follows the QX80 Track Spec concept, with more than 650 horsepower, that Infiniti showed at Monterey Car Week. Nobody is going to copy it bolt for bolt. What it shows is that a heavy luxury SUV can be turned into something with serious performance, as long as the suspension, brakes and tyres are upgraded with the power.
That is the part we recognise from our own customers’ builds. Any car that goes faster than it was designed to needs the driver held properly in place: a seat that supports you, a harness mounted correctly, and a steering setup you can trust. The seat and harness need to suit the car and how it is used, and on a large car with electric seats and airbags that takes some planning.
Garreth’s advice for any build is to decide how the car will be used first, road, track day or competition, and choose the safety equipment for that. If a steering wheel change is part of the plan, our guide on boss kit and steering wheel compatibility explains how the parts go together.
What engine is in the Infiniti QX80 R-Spec?
A Nissan GT-R R35 VR38 3.8-litre twin-turbo V6, tuned to be capable of 1,000 horsepower.
Can you buy an Infiniti QX80 R-Spec?
No. Infiniti describes it as a specially modified vehicle that is not available for purchase.
Where was the QX80 R-Spec shown?
It made its public debut at the 2025 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.
What brakes does the QX80 R-Spec use?
R35 GT-R carbon ceramic brakes, with custom caliper adapters and disc bells to fit the QX80.
The R-Spec pairs its 1,000 hp with coilovers, carbon ceramic brakes and 315 section tyres.
Tell us about your project and we will help with seats, harnesses and the steering setup.
