Infiniti Q30 Concept revealed ahead of its Frankfurt debut

The Infiniti Q30 Concept (pictured) will debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month

It’s more than two years since the Infiniti Etherea Concept concept arrived at the Geneva Motor Show to point the way towards Infiniti’s compact future, and now that future is almost here with the reveal of the Infiniti Q30 Concept following on from a teaser sketch of the Q30 earlier this month . Not that Infiniti has exactly thrown caution to the wind and sent us a whole raft of photos – just the single photo of the Q30 above – but it does give us a better idea of what Infiniti are aiming to do in the compact premium market.

Based on the underpinnings of the new Mercedes A-Class – and probably using a mix of Mercedes and Renault engines – Infiniti want us to know that the Q30 isn’t just another addition to the ever increasing choice of premium crossovers, but a real of fusion of bodystyles.

Around the size of an Audi Q3, Infiniti say the Q30 “…is a unique fusion of body styles merging the dynamic design and sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover.” So that’s all the bases covered, then.

Infiniti also go on to say that they’re targeting younger customers who want an alternative to traditional premium compact vehicles. We assume Infiniti think younger buyers aren’t as swayed by the posh badges of BMW, Mercedes, Audi at al in the way older buyers are, but our experience is probably the opposite. Still, that’s the plan.

But the Infiniti Q30 is a decent looking offering, has decent underpinnings, should offer a wide range of powertrain options (probably including not just diesel and petrol, but hybrid and EV too eventually) and could, depending on price, carve a niche for itself.

It looks like Infiniti are planning to build 50,000 plus Q3s a year in Sunderland from 2015 – adding getting on to 50 per cent to Infiniti’s global production – so the Q30 is going to have to be pretty convincing.

We’ll get the chance to judge for ourselves – at least on looks and presence – when  the Infiniti Q30 debuts at the Frankfurt Motor Show next month.

By Cars UK