Along with today’s announcement of the new 2015 QX80 SUV, Infiniti also dropped a very special Limited model. The normal QX80 is far from plebian, but the QX80 Limited is sprucing up the New York Auto Show as one of the most luxurious vehicles to ever come from the Nissan group.

While the started with a very solid canvas, what Nissan->ke62 managed to create for Infiniti moves the brand on the territory of its competitors and into a new market of vehicles that haven’t even arrived yet. We know that Bentley is making an SUV, and that Aston Martin->ke13 may have one on the table as well, but it seems that the QX80 Limited may have beaten both of those models to the punch.

With an unprecedented amount of standard technology, convenience and luxury features, the Limited edition of the QX80 is setting a very high bar for anything that comes afterwards. If you think it feels weird to hear Bentley and Infiniti mentioned in the same breath, read on to see the sheer amount of class and refinement crammed inside of this rolling palace.

Exterior

To create this all-new Limited trim, Nissan has taken the new 2015 QX80 and covered it with new details and equipment inside and out. The exterior receives a dark finish on the lighting front and rear, and a close eye will notice the new lighting under the running boards.

One of the most striking features of the Limited is the aggressive use of dark chrome. The upper and lower grille surround, fog light surrounds, side vents, roof rails, crossbars, A-Pillar finisher, door handles, license plate surround and the side mirror caps are all coated in the dark metallic sheen. The rolling stock has also seen an upgrade to ludicrously massive 22-inch wheels with a special dark finish.

To add a bit more exclusivity over the standard QX80, the Limited is available in three exclusive exterior colors: Imperial Black, Mocha Almond and Dakar Bronze.

2015 Infiniti QX80 - Exterior Dimensions

Interior

The interior sees the same obsessive attention to detail with a unique Truffle Brown design that also features leathers in brown, black and silver hues. Slabs of wood are also slathered across the cabin.

The leather seats look particularly striking with their silver piping and quilted stitching. If you are big fan of dead cows, you will be delighted to know that Infiniti has also covered the assist handles and the speaker grilles on the instrument panel with tanned hides.

There are zero available options or packages for the QX80 Limited; it comes decked to hilt with everything right out of the factory.

If you are obsessed with details, you will be delighted to hear about the complete list of technology and convenience features inside the Limited. From a 15-speaker Bose Surround stereo, to tri-zone automatic climate and 8-inch DVD screens, if you can dream it, the QX80 likely has it equipped.

Infiniti has created quite the unique vehicle in the QX80 Limited. There are lots of companies that create ultra-luxury land barges, but those are almost exclusively long wheelbase sedans. To see Infiniti apply this type of decadence to an SUV seems to be common sense, but until now, it hasn’t really been done to this level. Sure, SUVs like the Escalade and Lincoln Navigator run to the luxurious side of the market, but this is an entirely different level. What Infiniti is reaching for is the high end XJL, 7 Series and maybe even Bentley buyer.

With the amount of technology crammed inside of the QX80, the Mercedes S-Class immediately comes to mind as a competitor. From advanced safety tech like Predictive Forward Collision Warning and a Lane Departure Prevention system, the Limited can go toe-to-toe with what Benz is offering. But obviously, the S Class is a four-seater while the Limited can swallow 6 passengers, and still have plenty of room for luggage. All while towing a boat.

Even beyond the S Class Mercedes->ke359, the QX80 can draw parallels to much more upscale brands like Aston Martin and Bentley. From the massive amount of leather and wood, to the detail touches like a suede headliner and quilted seat stitching, the Limited moves out of the realm occupied by traditional luxury automobiles.

2015 Infiniti QX80 - Interior Dimensions

Drivetrain

For those of you concerned with performance, that means you get the 5.6-liter V8 with 400 horsepower, and it comes mated to a smooth-shifting seven-speed automatic. Thanks to its impressive 413 lb-ft of torque, you can also tow up to 8,500 pounds with this beast. All-wheel drive is also on the list for standard features.

2015 Infiniti QX80 - Drivetrain/Specifications

Prices

Infiniti has not revealed any details on pricing just yet, but with the 2014 QX80 checking in at a tick under $63k, look for the new QX80 Limited to be in the $70k range.

Competitors

2015 Cadillac Escalade

The 2015 Cadillac Escalade comes in to wrestle the Infiniti QX80 as a brand-new vehicle. The overhauled SUV->ke145 sports an exterior design inspired by the 2014 CTS sedan, which includes a large, chrome grille and vertical LED headlamps that go all the way down to the bumpers.

The cabin, now features extra headroom and legroom, high-grade leather, improved seating, and GM's latest in terms of technology. It is also more quiet than ever and packs a state-of-the-art, 16-speaker, Bose Centerpoint surround system.

The 2015 Escalade is motivated by a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine that delivers 420 horsepower and 455 pound-feet of torque. With fuel economy rating estimated at 16 mpg city and 22 highway, the Caddy sits above the QX80 in both power and efficiency. And that's not going to change for 2015, when the Infiniti-built SUV will have the same powertrain underneath.

Priced from $72,590, the new Escalade can be had with either rear-wheel or all-wheel drive, with the latter fetching an extra $2,600. Unlike the QX80, Cadillac offers a slightly longer version of the Escalade, dubbed the ESV, that is priced from $75,590.

2015 Lincoln Navigator

The 2015 Navigator is a bit behind as far as design goes, with changes including Lincoln's signature split-wing grille and adaptive HID headlamps. Interior updates aren't wild either, but customers will be greeted by a new steering wheel (borrowed from the MKC) wrapped in Wollsdorf leather, an instrument panel also covered with leather and an optional Ziricote wood trim.

The big news lies under the hood, where Lincoln decided to ditch the good ol' 5.4-liter V-8 for downsized EcoBoost power. The new 3.5-liter V-6 delivers 370 horsepower and 430 pound-feet of torque, which is a hefty improvement over the mill used until 2014. Although the new unit is still inferior compared to the ones powering the Cadiilac and the Infiniti, the 2015 Navigator is expected to fare better on the fuel economy front.

Pricing for the revamped Navigator has yet to be announced, but Lincoln is likely to set the sticker just below the $60,000 mark, making its SUV cheaper than both the Escalade and the QX80.

Conclusion

The QX80 was already a very luxurious machine, but in a market crowded with names like Range Rover and Escalade, it takes something truly special to stand out. The QX80 Limited is one of those rare vehicles that manages to care itself out a segment and create an entirely new one.