Infiniti will expand its cooperation with Mercedes-Benz beyond the already announced Q30 hatchback. Next in line is the QX30, a compact crossover set to debut at the Geneva motor show next month.
Both the Q30 and the QX30 are expected to be based on Mercedes’ MFA compact car platform underpinning the current A-Class, B-Class, CLA and GLA models. They also get subtly tweaked versions of the four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines of similar origin, while a Haldex-based all-wheel drive system will be optional.
According to Infiniti, the QX30 is “a new premium compact crossover targeted at a new generation of premium customers”, a model which will “reignite the premium compact segment,” and will offer “the sleek lines of a coupé with the rugged looks and commanding seating position of a crossover.” Bold claims, indeed.
Infiniti has only published a teaser photo of the new QX30 crossover. The model shown at Geneva will be labeled as a concept, but it is in fact a thinly veiled production car. Test mules for the QX30 have already been spotted testing.
The new Infiniti QX30 and its sister Q30 compact hatchback will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland factory in Great Britain. Infiniti expects to sell around 60,000 of the two models in the first full year, with 30,000 in Europe. The new model will also be exported to North America.
