► First pic of production Infiniti Q30
► Makes debut at 2015 Frankfurt show
► On sale 2016, rivals 1-series, A3
We’ve already seen the Infiniti Q30 as a sketch, a concept and a disguise-clad pre-production car; now, finally, here’s the end product.
Infiniti has released this official picture of the production Q30, the upmarket hatchback it hopes could turn it from bit-player to a volume sales success story in Europe. It’ll be displayed in public for the first time at the 2015 Frankfurt motor show in September.
Isn’t that a picture of the concept car?
This is definitely the production Q30, and it really has stayed faithful to the original concept car, first shown at Frankfurt exactly two years ago.
All the concept’s essential features are still there, including the dramatically creased body surfaces and Infiniti’s characteristic ‘crescent-cut’ C-pillar shape, even if the hidden rear door handles and blade-like sill surfaces haven’t made it.
The Q30 will be twinned with an upcoming taller crossover version, the QX30, though with its deep-sided body and big wheelarches it’s carrying a few crossover cues to start with.
Is the Infiniti Q30 based on a Nissan?
It’s not, actually. It shares much of its platform with the Mercedes A-Class family, as part of an engineering partnership Infiniti’s parent company Nissan enjoys with Daimler.
Ironically, the A-Class itself will be one of the premium-brand mid-sized hatches the Q30 will be looking to tempt buyers from, along with the likes of the BMW 1-series and Audi A3.
Final testing and development has taken place in Europe, and the Q30 will be the first Infiniti to be built in the UK, with production based at Nissan’s Sunderland factory following £250 million of investment and the recruitment of around 280 new staff.
Could the Q30 be the car to turn around Infiniti’s fortunes in Europe? We’ll find out from 2016, with deliveries scheduled from early in the year.
Click here for more on the Infiniti Q30.