Infiniti Prepares 3-Door Hatchback for Geneva

Infiniti is said to have been developing a small car which will be previewed by a concept at the Geneva motor show next spring. The car will probably be a three-door coupe that will sport the same appearance as the Mercedes CLC.

Infiniti's compact car will take on serious European contenders such as the BMW 1-Series or the Audi A3, in an attempt to breach the luxury hatchback segment in Europe.

It's possible for the car to be based on a front-wheel drive platform sourced from the A-Klasse, as part of a strategic agreement signed earlier this year by Daimler and the Renault-Nissan alliance, to share platforms and engine technology. The company has already stated that it plans to use Merc four-cylinder diesel and petrol models for future models.

"We are looking at the option of sharing and I can’t deny the possibility of front-drive," said Infiniti executive, Toru Saito.

Geneva attendees will be given a sneak preview of the car in development. Infiniti relies on this model to break through to the West-European market. The car could later be unveiled in its final production form at the Frankfurt or Tokyo motor show.

“Next year’s Geneva concept will be something pretty special, and pretty different,” said a source. “It’s a small car, but not what you might expect.”

The concept and the final production model will be very much alike, as the styling for both is carried out by Infiniti designers working at the company's studio near Paddington, in London.