Frankfurt 2015: 2016 Infiniti Q30 Ready For The Floor

Cameron Aubernon
by Cameron Aubernon

Bowing at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2016 Infiniti Q30 “active compact” aims to attract a new generation of buyers now flocking to GLAs and XT5s.

The first vehicle to leave Infiniti’s newly upgraded facility in Sunderland, United Kingdom, the Q30 also marks the first time the premium brand is playing in the compact crossover space. The main goal behind the Q30 is to attract Gen X and Millennial buyers who believe a car “is an expression of ‘self’ rather than ‘status,'” desire vehicles which defy traditional categorization, and offer a “made-for-me” approach to luxury.

To do this, the Q30 reinterprets Infiniti’s design language into its own, blending fluid lines with a rakish, elevated, coupe-esque profile. Going further, potential buyers can go from the base model to either Premium or Sport trims, which offer such items as: LED fog lamps; “shapely bespoke bumper”; body-color heated door mirror; 19-inch alloys; and raised or lowered stance, depending on trim chosen.

Power for the Q30 comes from a range of diesel and gasoline engines, with only the 2.0-liter 16-valve I4 coming to North America. Output is 208 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque, which is mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic.

The 2016 Infiniti Q30 is expected to hit select markets later this year. Price of admission has not been stated as of this writing.

Photo credit: Infiniti





Cameron Aubernon
Cameron Aubernon

Seattle-based writer, blogger, and photographer for many a publication. Born in Louisville. Raised in Kansas. Where I lay my head is home.

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  • 22_RE_Speedwagon 22_RE_Speedwagon on Sep 14, 2015

    Pure gold, that Alliance reference.

  • Flybrian Flybrian on Sep 15, 2015

    "The main goal behind the Q30 is to attract Gen X and Millennial buyers who believe a car “is an expression of ‘self’ rather than ‘status,'” desire vehicles which defy traditional categorization, and offer a “made-for-me” approach to luxury." ...which means middele-aged females realtors and 'the olds' are going to be the ones actually PURCHASING these.

    • RideHeight RideHeight on Sep 15, 2015

      I know, manage or peer/peer work with many X's and M's; none of them is as dipsh*t and self-deluded as that quote suggests. At least, the ones we've kept aren't and the ones we haven't aren't likely to stick anywhere else, either. So they're probably not new car buyers.

  • MaintenanceCosts Poorly packaged, oddly proportioned small CUV with an unrefined hybrid powertrain and a luxury-market price? Who wouldn't want it?
  • MaintenanceCosts Who knows whether it rides or handles acceptably or whether it chews up a set of tires in 5000 miles, but we definitely know it has a "mature stance."Sounds like JUST the kind of previous owner you'd want…
  • 28-Cars-Later Nissan will be very fortunate to not be in the Japanese equivalent of Chapter 11 reorganization over the next 36 months, "getting rolling" is a luxury (also, I see what you did there).
  • MaintenanceCosts RAM! RAM! RAM! ...... the child in the crosswalk that you can't see over the hood of this factory-lifted beast.
  • 3-On-The-Tree Yes all the Older Land Cruiser’s and samurai’s have gone up here as well. I’ve taken both vehicle ps on some pretty rough roads exploring old mine shafts etc. I bought mine right before I deployed back in 08 and got it for $4000 and also bought another that is non running for parts, got a complete engine, drive train. The mice love it unfortunately.
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