Infiniti provides a first taste of the Q30 Concept

Infiniti has released the first image of its Q30 Concept, following on from the sketch shown earlier this month.

The Q30 is the company’s first premium compact vehicle, competing with the likes of Audi’s A3, BMW’s 1 Series and the Mercedes A-Class. In fact it’s based on the same Daimler ‘MFA’ platform used in the Mercedes A-Class and will share many of the German company’s engine and powertrain components.

But the chassis will be all-Infiniti, developed by Infiniti’s Director of Performance, Sebastian Vettel. Even though Vettel was involved in developing the new Q50, the Q30 is the first car he’s been involved with from the start.

Infiniti Red Bull Racing driver, Sebastian Vettel, will be involved in developing the dynamic performance of the all-new Q30.

“Q30 Concept embodies Infiniti’s vision to deliver head-turning design, innovative materials with precise fit and finish and passionate craftsmanship, while provoking a radical shift in the premium compact segment.”

The Q30 will be closer in driving dynamics to Mercedes new GLA, with a three-way adjustable suspension, but Infiniti are keen to avoid it being classified in any specific category, “..it’s not a coupe, not a hatch and not a crossover but a fusion of the three body styles.”

They say it’s designed for younger customers seeking an alternative to traditional premium compact vehicles, which sounds a lot like a solution looking for a problem, but in practice they’re merely seeking to differentiate the Q30 in an increasingly crowded market – describing what it’s ‘not’ forces us to look more closely at what it is.

They then go on to say that they are “confident this merging of the dynamic design and sportiness of a coupé, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover will resonate with these customers.”

Infiniti’s new Executive Design Director, Alfonso Albaisa, has explored the use of bolder, more muscular sculpting of Infiniti’s body styling which will continue to evolve this in future models.

Although the Q30 isn’t due on the market until 2015, the Q30 Concept will take pride of place on Infiniti’s Frankfurt stand from 10th September.

Written By

Steve Davies

Steve is an investor, private equity advisor and former Partner at KPMG, PwC and Bain. Most importantly he's a life-long car enthusiast, mountain biker and active sports enthusiast. He designs and builds technology platforms and is the architect behind Transmission.