Infiniti Unveils Mercedes-Based Q30 Crossover in Frankfurt [Auto Shows]

Infiniti Q30
Infiniti Q30

Nissan’s Infiniti luxury division unveiled the Q30 compact crossover at the Frankfurt Motor Show today, the brand’s first foray into the premium compact segment.

The Q30 bears the fruits of the recent sharing agreement between Renault Nissan and Daimler-Benz, as it’s based on the Mercedes-Benz A-class platform that also brought forth the CLA and GLA.

The new Q30 has similar chunky dimensions as the GLA, although the sheetmetal is pure Infiniti. The swoopy character lines and oversize grill look like what the automotive world has come to expect from Nissan and Infiniti designers. It has more than a passing resemblance to the new Nissan Maxima and Murano, not to mention the QX60, with which is shares its oddly-shaped rear window frame.

Infiniti QX30

It shares the same chassis – including the multi-link rear suspension – as the other A-class vehicles, although the suspension was tuned by Infiniti. Under the hood is the same 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder as the Benzes, making a healthy 208 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. While the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission will also carry over from the A-class, Infiniti will make the Q30 available with a six-speed manual transmission, a coup for driving enthusiasts the world over.

And the world isn’t an exaggeration. The Q30 is a global car, as it is part of Infiniti’s plans to increase global sales. It will also be made in the UK, being the first Infiniti made in Europe.

The Q30 is available in base, Premium and Sport trims. Base and Premium share the same ground clearance, but the Premium adds LED fog lamps, 18-inch alloys, heated mirrors and chrome dual exhaust. The Sport model rides 15mm lower than the others, and also has a unique bumper and gloss black grille.

As is becoming the norm, the Q30 will have a slew of driver aids like parking assist, blind spot warnings, collision warnings and adaptive cruise control.

The Q30 will go on sale late in 2015.

Watch the Infiniti Q30 Concept unveiling from Los Angeles.