Infiniti QX70 S Design

That appears to be the premise for the latest offering from the Infiniti stable, the QX70 S Design, which had its premiere at the Paris Motor Show last year and is now available in the UK.

Adding what Infiniti describes as a “bad-boy spirit” to the elegant sportiness of the imposing QX70 sports utility vehicle, the new S Design builds on the provocative ethos of the standard QX70.

A full-size luxury crossover, it reeks of power and aggression – a testosterone-filled antidote to all that is boxy and bland.

But for all its bulges, flowing lines and curves, there’s a clever twist to the bespoke new look.

With dramatic effect, Infiniti has used dark chrome to unlock the QX70’s dark side. It is used for the grille, fog light surrounds, side air scoops, side sills and rear number plate surround, endowing the shapely body with a technical finish that perfectly complements the car’s seductive character. The headlights have a new smoked finish while wheels are 21-inch six-spoke alloys finished in black, to match the black roof rails and black mirrors.

The Infiniti QX70 is more head-turning than ever, making a striking SUV statement.

The S Design theme continues in the cabin with black lacquer finish on the centre console and purple stitching for seats, steering, wheel, armrest and door trims. With the lavish equipment of the S-Premium model included as standard in every S Design version, the cabin’s luxury character is enhanced while retaining driver focus and control for which Infiniti QX70 is known.

Power, response and agility characterise how the QX70 S Design is to drive, its athletic bearing extending to a real athlete’s ability on the most demanding of roads. Powerful V6 engines, in either petrol or diesel forms, advanced chassis, balanced handling, and precise steering and gear control – the latter via Infiniti’s much imitated but never bettered magnesium paddle shifters on the steering column – guarantee a rewarding drive, although the sheer bulk of this vehicle places a natural restriction on its agility and pulling power.

The Infiniti QX70 S Design is priced at £49,620 for the diesel or £49,775 for the 3.7-litre petrol.

Bringing a more aggressive look, you might be forgiven for thinking that the S Design has more likely emerged from the Porsche stable than from the land of the rising sun. It is set up for a sporty, quite firm ride, but will equally cosset the driver from the outside world.

Both versions of the S Design – a 3.7-litre V6 diesel or a 5.0-litre V8 petrol – are quick, although I found the diesel version quite noisy at start-up.

The seven-speed automatic gearbox provides for quick and smooth changes.

Despite its bulk, you can drive into corners with confidence, thanks in part to the four-wheel drive.

That’s largely due to the luxurious cabin packed with equipment and gadgets that will meet all your safety and comfort needs.

That cabin will also comfortably accommodate four adults, with ample legroom and the back seats that recline.

Infiniti needs bold cars like the S Design to stand out in what is becoming an increasingly crowded SUV market. On the heels of the all-time sales record that Infiniti achieved in the first quarter 2015, the company successfully carried this momentum into April. Infiniti sold 16,700 vehicles last month, an increase of more than 1,700 vehicles or 12 per cent versus April 2014. This marks the best April in Infiniti’s history.

The S Design should help nudge that figure as more customers opt for something in the premium market that is a little different.

At a glance

Infiniti QX70 S Design

Price: £49,620

Engine: 3.7-litre V6 diesel, producing 325bhp

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic

Performance: 0 to 62mph in 8.3 seconds; top speed 132mph

Economy: 33mpg combined

CO2 emissions: 225 g/km