The new Infiniti QX30 has made its global debut today, premiering simultaneously at the Los Angeles and Guangzhou motor shows.
The QX30 debuts as a crossover SUV companion to the already high-riding Q30 hatch, unveiled at September’s Frankfurt motor show.
As with the Q30, the QX30 represents a new assault on the small-car market, marking a first for Nissan’s luxury arm, having previously focused on larger vehicles.
Telling the QX30 apart from the related Q30 might take more than a quick glance, but a close look will reveal a taller ride height, along with skid plates at each end, protective cladding and small integrated roof rails.
The QX30 is otherwise a twin to the Q30, with the same broad grille, swept-back headlights, swooping character lines and that kinked C-pillar design now familiar to Infiniti buyers.
The company has yet to reveal the QX30’s full interior, although we can likely expect the cabin design to be largely identical to that of the Q30.
Above: the interior of the Q30 is likely a good preview of the new Qx30’s cabin.
There is likewise little to know about the QX30’s mechanical setup at this stage, but Infiniti promises an all-wheel drive design that can send up to 50 percent of power and torque to the rear wheels. A seven-speed automatic transmission will also be standard.
If the QX30’s powertrain options match the Q30, it will mean the option of either a 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol (155kW/350Nm) or a 2.2-litre Mercedes-Benz sourced turbo-diesel engine (125kW/350Nm). Both, in the Q30 at least, will be available in Australia.
In most markets, the QX30 will be positioned as a rival to its own platform mate the Mercedes-Benz GLA, along with the Audi Q3, the new BMW X1 and the small-to-medium Lexus NX.
Infiniti expects the Q30 and QX30 twins to make a significant contribution to its growing sales globally, which have already increased 16 per cent in 2015, recording 173,000 sales through October.
Infiniti sales in Australia are up 26 per cent so far this year â€" although, with only a handful of models on offer and only a few dealerships to sell them through, that still means a relatively low 455 vehicles.
The QX30 will make its Australian debut in the second half of 2016.
MORE: Infiniti Q30 revealed in Frankfurt
MORE: Infiniti Australia to open Perth dealership in March
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