2025 INFINITI QX80 Autograph Edition: An ultimate expression of Japanese artistry

The Japanese string instrument, the ‘Koto,’ has influenced the look and feel of the interior for the 2025 INFINITI QX80 Autograph Edition. We had a chance to catch up with Shinji Hirosawa and Yuumi Aoyama from INFINITI’s advanced design department who oversaw the color, material and finish within INFINITI’s all-new flagship.

What is the “Koto”

The Koto, a traditional Japanese string instrument, served as an inspiration for Hirosawa and Aoyama when designing the woodgrain accent for the higher trim levels. Resembling a long wooden board with strings, the Koto typically measures around 180 centimeters (71 inches) in length and is plucked using three fingerpicks.

2025 INFINITI QX80 Autograph Edition

Hirosawa sought to capture the Koto’s broad, finely crafted appearance in the woodgrain accent of the QX80.

For the design, the team selected open-pore ash wood and applied a subtle blackened finish to create a soft contrast with the ‘Graphite’ or ‘Sepia Brown’ semi-aniline leather used in the SENSORY grade.

In the AUTOGRAPH grade, the team elevated INFINITI’s craftsmanship by incorporating aluminum inlays that evoke the Koto’s strings, providing a bold geometric contrast against the ‘Burgundy’ or ‘Graphite’ semi-aniline leather.

Aoyama dedicated significant time to refining the spacing of the lines, explaining, “To convey the Koto’s sense of tension and its wide, resonant sound, we deliberately designed the metal inlays in the woodgrain to expand and contract, mimicking the rhythm and vibration of the instrument.”

Enhanced Attention to Detail

Much like how no two trees are identical, every woodgrain accent is one of a kind. This uniqueness reflects the meticulous approach of INFINITI’s design team, who explored various wood types before choosing Ash and experimented with different cutting techniques to achieve the ideal pattern and texture.

Achieving balance in the interior design is key to creating a harmonious environment. Hirosawa describes it this way: “When you focus on the woodgrain alone, it’s like a beautiful Koto playing a solo. The surrounding elements—soft leather, stitching, lighting, and screens—are like the other instruments in a grand orchestra. Together, they produce a cohesive visual experience.”

Before finalizing the design and handing it off to engineering, the design team carefully evaluated over one hundred different patterns and configurations. The final selection was based not only on appearance and tactile feel but also on INFINITI’s rigorous durability standards.

Precision Engineering in Action

Hidenori Miyazaki, leader of the interior design engineering group, was entrusted with translating the design team’s vision into reality.

Over the course of a year, Miyazaki and his team tested numerous samples and methods to meet the exacting standards.

To achieve flawless execution, the team employed advanced solid-state laser technology, known for its precision, to make perfectly straight cuts in the open-pore Ash wood, exposing the aluminum beneath. This laser technology is comparable to what’s used in delicate medical and cosmetic procedures.

This meticulous process ensures that the aluminum is exposed without damaging the wood’s natural grain or leaving any burn marks. Each piece is processed individually, with the laser finely calibrated to account for the varying thickness and subtle curves of the wood.

The five wood trim pieces in each AUTOGRAPH-grade QX80 undergo a total of one hour of laser treatment to achieve this precise effect.

Additionally, the application of a carefully measured clear topcoat is crucial to maintaining the wood’s natural grain and achieving a true “open-pore” finish. Miyazaki explained, “The challenge was to apply just the right amount of topcoat to preserve the tactile feel of the open-pore wood, while ensuring the durability matched that of a thicker, glossier traditional coating.”