Photo: Infiniti
The Infiniti QX30 is easily the most anticlimactic debut of this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. That's because it looks exactly like the preview concept and also shares most of its body bits with the regular Q30 hatchback.
Mercedes is responsible for most of the development of these two cars and it even "gave" the Japanese automaker the MFA platform, 4Matic all-wheel-drive and all of the engines. So if the Q30 is like a re-bodied A-Class, this QX30 is a GLA? Well, not really.
You see, while the A-Class and GLA don't share any body bits, Infiniti is going to sell siamese twins. When you say "Infiniti crossover," the mind naturally gravitates towards the old FX, big, beautiful and brash. Even though the QX30 is part of the same range, it looks more like a jacked-up hatchback.
Personally, I find it very appealing. But I'm also a fan of the Volvo V40 Cross Country and Volkswagen's Alltrack models, so my idea of beauty is admittedly warped. Apart from the raised ride height, the QX30 is taller because of its subtle but standard silver roof rails. Suitably tough body armor stretches across all the lower body.
While Americans might not love the hatchback-like design and prefer the true SUV look of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, Infiniti has undoubtedly done a great job with its design. Everywhere you look, there's a sharp crease drawn with confidence. Sure, the sloped roof and complex D-pillar are going to create visibility problems, but Infiniti is going to offer a bird's eye view monitor and every kind of sensor imaginable.
However, because every engine is made by Mercedes, we can tell you what the QX30 will pack under the hood, even though Infiniti doesn't want us to. In the photos, the car is badged 2.0t AWD, which means it's packing the same 2.0-liter turbo with 211 PS (208 horsepower) as its Germanic brothers. Two clutches take care of swapping seven gears and the AWD system sends up to 50 percent of output to the rear wheels.
Over in Europe, the QX30 will have a lot more engines. The base one is likely to be a 1.5-literdCi diesel with 109 PS. Renault made it, gave it to Mercedes and now they are giving it back to Infiniti… who will build the engine in Britain at the Qashqai factory. That's extreme engine swapping for you!
Infiniti may decide not to offer this engine until much later in the crossover's life cycle, but the 2.1-liter Mercedes diesel should be available from day one with 136 and 170 PS. Two versions of a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo with 122 PS and 156 PS will also be sold.
Infiniti believes its new premium compacts will double its sales over the coming years. For the record, in the first 10 months of 2015, the company sold almost 173,000 new vehicles worldwide, which is less than what the Nissan Qashqai achieved just in Europe for the year to date.
Despite sharing too many interior bits with the GLA, we like the QX30. But the question is, for about $33,000, wouldn't you rather have the real deal and not a well-made copy?
You see, while the A-Class and GLA don't share any body bits, Infiniti is going to sell siamese twins. When you say "Infiniti crossover," the mind naturally gravitates towards the old FX, big, beautiful and brash. Even though the QX30 is part of the same range, it looks more like a jacked-up hatchback.
Personally, I find it very appealing. But I'm also a fan of the Volvo V40 Cross Country and Volkswagen's Alltrack models, so my idea of beauty is admittedly warped. Apart from the raised ride height, the QX30 is taller because of its subtle but standard silver roof rails. Suitably tough body armor stretches across all the lower body.
While Americans might not love the hatchback-like design and prefer the true SUV look of the Audi Q3 and BMW X1, Infiniti has undoubtedly done a great job with its design. Everywhere you look, there's a sharp crease drawn with confidence. Sure, the sloped roof and complex D-pillar are going to create visibility problems, but Infiniti is going to offer a bird's eye view monitor and every kind of sensor imaginable.
Turbocharged four-cylinder engines
Not a single gosh darn thing has been said about the engine specifications. That's because Infiniti wants us to write another story next year with "more details" that have been revealed. Whoop dee doo!However, because every engine is made by Mercedes, we can tell you what the QX30 will pack under the hood, even though Infiniti doesn't want us to. In the photos, the car is badged 2.0t AWD, which means it's packing the same 2.0-liter turbo with 211 PS (208 horsepower) as its Germanic brothers. Two clutches take care of swapping seven gears and the AWD system sends up to 50 percent of output to the rear wheels.
Over in Europe, the QX30 will have a lot more engines. The base one is likely to be a 1.5-liter
Infiniti may decide not to offer this engine until much later in the crossover's life cycle, but the 2.1-liter Mercedes diesel should be available from day one with 136 and 170 PS. Two versions of a 1.6-liter gasoline turbo with 122 PS and 156 PS will also be sold.
Infiniti believes its new premium compacts will double its sales over the coming years. For the record, in the first 10 months of 2015, the company sold almost 173,000 new vehicles worldwide, which is less than what the Nissan Qashqai achieved just in Europe for the year to date.
Despite sharing too many interior bits with the GLA, we like the QX30. But the question is, for about $33,000, wouldn't you rather have the real deal and not a well-made copy?
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