Muscular Infiniti QX50 concept debuts in Detroit

Infiniti debuted its QX50 concept at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

The "concept" veneer on this new model is a thin one. Things are looking very close to production ready from here.

The concept showcases a more aggressive evolution of the automaker's SUV design with a front fascia that seems to draws cues from the Q50 sports coupe and Eau Rogue concept.

The current production QX50 is not a bad-looking vehicle, but the new model brings a more muscular and upright stance that makes the old one look almost deflated by comparison.

I'm not a fan of Infiniti's alphanumeric naming convention, but I am loving the automaker's very dynamic design.

Beneath the hood of the concept is the new (and also production-ready) VC-Turbo variable compression ratio engine.

Power reaches the road though an all-wheel drive system.

One of the VC-Turbo's advantages is that the engine is more compact, which allows for a very short hood and a "cabin-forward" silhouette.

We're expecting Infiniti to basically slap some door handles on, swap in working headlights and debut a production-ready QX50 SUV based on this design within the next year.

Infiniti debuted its QX50 concept at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.

The "concept" veneer on this new model is a thin one. Things are looking very close to production ready from here.

The concept showcases a more aggressive evolution of the automaker's SUV design with a front fascia that seems to draws cues from the Q50 sports coupe and Eau Rogue concept.

The concept shares its name with the mid-sized QX50, but Infiniti also drew a lot of design inspiration from the proportions of the older FX45.

Beneath the hood of the concept is the new (and also production-ready) VC-Turbo variable compression ratio engine.