LA show: Infiniti QX30 revealed

INFINITI has shown off the latest addition to its growing fleet, the QX30 crossover, at the Los Angeles show overnight that has remained true to the Geneva show concept that was said to be 90 per cent production ready.

While very few technical details have been announced, Infiniti Australia anticipates the car will arrive here in the latter half of 2016, and closely follow the specification level of its twin, the Q30 hatch.

The high-rider’s exterior has made the leap from design concept to production model with few changes to its basic sheet metal form, with exaggerated creases along it flanks and a deeply raked and set-back windscreen line.

Based on the same Mercedes-Benz A Class-derived underpinnings, the QX30 rides 30mm higher than the regular Q30, while its wheel arches are 5mm wider and surrounded in grained black plastic. There are also new bumpers front and rear to differentiate it from its sibling.

The QX30 measures 1530mm high, some 25mm higher than the Q30 Active, and has a higher hip point for front seat occupants.

All cabin components – including a smattering of A-Class switchgear – carries over from the Q30.

The main difference between the two is the inclusion of all-wheel drive for the QX30. While the Q30 is a front-wheel-drive-only proposition for Australia, and the QX30 is expected to offer a front-drive version overseas, the latter will serve as the brand’s all-paw offering locally, while the Q30 will remain front-drive only.

There is no confirmation yet as to whether Infiniti Australia will bring in three grades of QX30 to mirror that of the Q30 line-up, nor is there any confirmation of engine specs, but Infiniti Australia’s general manager of corporate communications Peter Fadeyev told GoAuto that the two will be related.

“Being the crossover version of the Q30, the QX30 will naturally be similar in various respects but with all-wheel drive and ride height being the main differences,” said Mr Fadeyev.

The global engine line-up for the Q30 – none of which have been confirmed for Australia – starts with a 1.6-litre petrol engine producing 90kW or 115kW, as well as 1.5 and 2.2-litre diesels with peak power figures of 80kW and 125kW respectively.

Premium and Sport variants use a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine that makes 155kW, while the Q30 will be offered with a choice of a six-speed manual gearbox or seven-speed dual-clutch transmission in overseas markets.

It is highly unlikely that Australia will opt for a manual variant.

Amongst the driver assistance systems offered in the QX30 are an auto-parking system with 360-degree camera display, blind-spot warning, forward collision warning with emergency braking, automatic high beam and active cruise control.

The QX30 is currently scheduled to arrive in Australia in the second half of 2016, shortly after the market release of the Q30 active compact.

Next year will be Infiniti's busiest since the premium offshoot of Nissan was officially launched in Australia in 2012.

The QX30 will join the updated Q70 sedan, the Q30 active compact and the new Q60 coupe, the two-door sportscar unveiled in concept form at this year's Detroit motor show.