INFINITI Celebrates 35 Years of Design at Pebble Beach

In the fall of 1989, INFINITI broke the mold when it came to automotive design

The opportunity to introduce a line of luxury automobiles from a Japanese brand was ripe for the taking. In order to do so, these automobiles had to stand out above the rest—to be distinctive, with luxurious appointments and performance to match.

Thus, INFINITI was born. The original Q45 made quite an impact on the automotive scene. It would set the tone for a new brand with a storied past.

This past summer, INFINITI celebrated 35 years of design at the annual Pebble Beach Automotive Week and Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance near Monterey, California. They exhibited their finest designs by paying homage to the automaker’s Japanese heritage.

Starting with the original 1990 Q45, INFINITI set the tone for daring design infused with the Japanese principle of thoughtful hospitality. The Q45 was Infiniti’s introduction into the automotive luxury space and proved that it went beyond the vehicle experience. Q45 offered a dramatic exterior style and a spacious, driver-oriented luxury interior.

The point made through the Q45 was that it was not what you expected from the usual luxury automakers. It broke convention. A front end without a grille was unprecedented. A lower, sleeker profile was something not seen in its class for almost a decade at that time. There was nothing quite like it.

Along the way, INFINITI had some other design icons that are still remembered today. The 1993 J30 followed the original Q45 by breaking the mold for luxury sedans of its size class. Other luxury brands followed a formula to their design approach by replicating key elements to keep their identity and legacy intact. INFINITI has never followed convention or the unwritten rules of luxury automobile design. The 1993 J30 was another example of this.

The same approach to design arrived in 2003 with the FX crossover. Over the years, FX models have been revered by enthusiasts and clients. FX’s aggressive styling has served notice of its performance underpinnings with its long hood, stretched wheelbase, and short front and rear overhangs. It changed everything when it came to luxury crossovers at a time when they were few and far between.

The FX45 and FX50 were particularly desirable vehicles. A V8 engine powered these models, which drew the attention of those looking for a performance luxury vehicle that offered practicality and more. No one would think that the FX would set future trends in the luxury marketplace – such as the coupe SUVs and performance SUVs that are now commonplace.

Then, there is our new design icon – the 2025 QX80. Our full-size SUV is the latest expression of INFINITI’s design legacy and ushers in Infiniti’s renaissance. The all-new 2025 QX80 wears the newest iteration of the signature INFINITI double-arch grille, complementing the illuminated brand emblem. The 2025 QX80 also features a dramatic welcome sequence that includes activation of the available Light Path – and flush door handles that automatically extend when approaching the vehicle with the key fob.

What the 2025 QX80 represents is a commitment to assert the INFINITI brand’s dominance at the forefront of luxury vehicle design. To continue to follow its own path rather than following convention. To break the unwritten rules of luxury vehicle design. To stand out in a crowd.

To celebrate 35 years of ground-breaking design, a visit to Dick Smith INFINITI of Columbia is in order. Contact us to see how Infiniti’s design has evolved over the past 35 years to today’s lineup of fine automobiles.