More photos of Infiniti’s first ever compact, the Q30, has been released ahead of the car’s official world debut on September 15 at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show. After numerous spy shots and teasers, the latest photos give us a clear look at the final design for the Q30—both inside and out.
It was in Frankfurt two years ago that Infiniti first previewed the Q30 with a thinly-veiled concept version. At the time, Infiniti stressed the vehicle would not be an ordinary hatch but rather a fusion of various bodystyles that included elements of a hatch plus those of a coupe and a crossover.
The shot of the exterior confirms that the vehicle does in fact eschew the normal ride height found on most hatchbacks in favor a taller design. The hope is that by combining the sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover, the Q30 will be able to stand out from the crowd.
Inside, the designers have gone for a driver-focused layout, and here too things have been made taller. Infiniti says the driver and passenger seating have an elevated hip-point, which should help ingress and egress though it may lessen the feeling of sportiness. Premium materials throughout the cabin create a nice ambience. One of these is a suede-like material known as Dinamica which is used for the headliner and pillars.
Infiniti QX30 Concept - 2015 Geneva Motor Show
As previously reported, production of the Q30 will be handled at a Nissan plant in Sunderland, England. Shortly after the start of production, Infiniti will add QX30 production to the plant. The QX30, shown in concept form above, is a more SUV-like version of the Q30 and will be distinguished by an even taller ride height as well as visible underbody protection.
Both vehicles are designed around the front-wheel-drive MFA platform borrowed from Mercedes-Benz, with front-wheel drive being the standard option and all-wheel drive available for those customers that require it. Power will come from four-cylinder engines and the standard transmission will be a seven-speed automatic.
Sales of the Q30 and QX30 have been confirmed to start in the United States in the second quarter of 2016. They arrive as 2017 models.
Stay tuned for the Q30’s full reveal in a fortnight, and to see what else will be at the Frankfurt Auto Show simply head to our dedicated hub.
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