All-New Infiniti Q30 Ready to Go Head-to-Head with Audi A3

Infiniti Q30 compact luxury hatchback
Infiniti Q30 Compact Luxury Hatchback

The production version of the Infiniti Q30 luxury hatchback has been revealed before its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. Two years ago the compact luxury concept was unveiled at the same show in 2013 and we can see that the production version has retained Infiniti’s iconic design language of the concept’s award winning style.

“Design is a key pillar of the Infiniti brand – and the new Q30 Active Compact perfectly embodies this approach,” said Infiniti President Roland Krueger. “The Q30 Active Compact delivers the distinctive design, the driving dynamics and the individuality that our customers expect of an Infiniti vehicle. With our first ever entry in the compact car segment, we continue the product offensive and provide additional options for our discerning customers.”

The details of what lies underneath the swoopy, curvy design are still under wraps. We’ll have to wait for the official reveal at the Frankfurt Auto Show before we learn what powertrains will be available, if there is enough elbow room for Nathan, and how many books will fit in the rear cargo area.

Now that the gloves are off, is the Infiniti Q30 ready to take away some market share from the Audi A3, Mercedes-Benz CLA, Range Rover Evoque, and other small premium models?

Infiniti QX30 Crossover Concept
Infiniti QX30 Crossover Concept

If that isn’t enough, watch for the QX30– which is essentially a crossover version with more ground clearance–to follow the Q30 in the near future. Both Infiniti models will share the same chassis as the Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class and GLA-Class thanks to the engineering partnership between Nissan and Daimler.

Quite possibly, since they all share the same underpinnings, the Q30 and QX30 will get the same 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and 7-speed automatic transmissions as their German cousins. Front-wheel drive will be standard and all-wheel drive will be an available option.

The Infiniti Q30 will be arriving at European dealerships before the end of the year since that is its primary market. North American sales of the stylish compact crossover will likely start sometime in 2016.

Watch this TFLcar review of the 2012 Infiniti EX35, one of the predecessors to the QX30.