Infiniti compact SUV confirmed

INFINITI is poised to increase its rapidly expanding line-up with a crossover called QX30 based on the upcoming Q30 range of hatchbacks and sedans.

The smallest SUV in the Nissan luxury brand’s artillery will be introduced after the small car surfaces in early 2015.

Since the Q30 itself is based on the new Mercedes-Benz transverse architecture that also underpins the A-Class, CLA sedan and GLA compact SUV, it is expected that the QX30 will share a range of mechanical and underbody components with these vehicles.

Infiniti Asia and Oceania Operations managing director Allen Lu said Infiniti’s aim was to greatly broaden its customer appeal by luring younger buyers to the brand.

“We are building to widen the brand’s offerings, starting with the entry-level Q30 and QX30 … to mainly attract the younger customers,” he told the Australian media at the Nissan 360 event in Southern California this week.

“(By doing so) it makes people feel that there is a multiple choice starting from an early age.

“There is more potential by trying to attract younger customers (to our brand).”Whether the QX30 will wear different sheetmetal to the Q30 hatch is unclear, as the latter – in concept form as presented at this week’s Frankfurt motor show – is already blurring the lines between hatchback and crossover.

It is speculated that the finished product might be more like the Subaru Outback or Audi’s Allroad is to the Liberty and A4/A6 respectively – with an even loftier ride height, extra body cladding and perhaps the option of all-wheel drive.

Look out for the latest round of Infiniti design cues on the newcomers – including the ‘double arch’ light and grille treatment, ‘Crescent Cut’ C-pillar and ‘flow dancing muscularity’.

Like its hatchback sibling, the QX30 will be built at Nissan’s award-winning Sunderland production facility in England.

It is also expected to use the same four-cylinder petrol and turbo-diesel powerplants supplied by Mercedes-Benz, under Daimler’s model-sharing agreement with the Nissan Motor Company.

The Q30 and QX30 are just two in a wave of new Infiniti models scheduled for release. By 2020 the company hopes to have increased its offerings by 60 per cent, while doubling the number of available drivetrain options.