Infiniti QX30 – premium compact crossover revealed

The Infiniti QX30 premium compact crossover will debut at the 2015 Los Angeles and Guangzhou auto show. Revealed earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show as a concept, the QX30 is aimed at wealthy generation X and Y buyers, according to Infiniti.

Design-wise, the QX30 is basically a jacked-up Q30. The differences are subtle and comprises of added plastic cladding. A special metal plating is located behind the badge to allow radar waves of the Intelligent Cruise Control to pass through.

Of course, the QX30’s main highlight would be its height. The compact crossover sits slightly taller at 1,530 mm than the base and premium Q30 (1,495 mm). The elevated ride height allows for a higher hip point which improves entering and exiting of the vehicle.

Inside, the QX30 is designed with asymmetric surfaces. The standard interior comes in a high-quality black cloth and an option to chose Nappa leather in a black or beige colour. The seats are engineered to provide spine support, and equally distribute loads to minimise pressure on back muscles. The brand claims that the seats outdo those of its closest rivals.

On top of that, the crossover comes with an upgraded InTouch infotainment system. The seven-inch touchscreen HMI (human machine interface) now supports intuitive finger touch and swiping gestures. The Infiniti Voice Recognition, which allows control of the audio and navigation through commands, is standard.

The QX30 and the Q30 sit on Mercedes-Benz’s Modular Front Architecture (MFA) platform, the same one that underpins the A-, B-, CLA- and GLA-Class. So in essence, the Q30 is Infiniti’s A-Class, while the QX30 would be the GLA-Class, or in this case – their direct competitors.

Infiniti states however, that modifications have been done to the chassis to ensure comfort at all speeds and across all road surfaces. The springs and anti-roll bar are stiffer to return a flat ride, in addition to offsetting against the “dynamic effects of a higher centre of gravity.”

Equipped in the QX30 is an intelligent all-wheel drive system, that sends 50% of the engine’s power and torque to the rear axle over slippery surfaces. This, along with sensors that can detect wheel slip, apply brakes to the said wheel, while torque is delivered to the other wheels with grip.

A seven-speed dual-clutch transmission with manual mode will send power to the QX30’s wheels. According to Infiniti, engine choices will only be revealed closer to the official launch of the QX30, however depending on markets, a choice of petrol and diesel engines are available.

That said, the engine options are likely to mirror the Q30’s range of power plants. This includes a Mercedes-sourced 1.6 litre petrol engine with 120 hp or 154 hp, a 2.2 litre four-cylinder diesel with 168 hp and a Renault-sourced 1.5 litre diesel with 107 hp. A 208 hp Mercedes 2.0 litre four-cylinder petrol engine might be available for the US market only.

Technology-wise, the QX30 features Around View Monitor with moving object detection and Intelligent Parking Assist. Other tech includes active safety and hazard avoidance systems. The QX30 is slated to go on sale in selected markets by the mid 2016.

GALLERY: Infiniti QX30