Alphanumeric naming strategies are common within the automotive world. Not only are Q5 or C63 AMG easy to remember but their identities are explained very easily using this "technique." It's not uncommon to name a regular car and SUV model in similar fashion to signal they belong to the same class: X3 and 3 Series, for example.
However, when Infiniti chose to call its brand new compact cars Q30 and XQ30, it did so for entirely different reasons. During a recent interview with Automotive News, Randy Parker, vice president of Infiniti Americas, admitted there would be some confusion surrounding the identities of these cars. The upside is all three cars will be marketed together and shown in the same television ads.
What three cars? That's a good question, one that we asked as well. Apparently, the Q30 compact hatchback counts as two cars, one being the Premium model and the other an SE trim level with sporty body bits and a suspension system that's lowered by about one inch. The third is, of course, the QX30 crossover shown above in concept guise and poised to debut at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show.
That's less than one month away, but we're not really surprised because complete pre-production models have been spied undergoing testing in America with virtually no camouflage.
Infiniti will build the "30" brothers on an extended production line in Sunderland, Britain. While the styling is similar to the Q50 sedan, a Mercedes-Benz platform shared with the European A-Class hatch and GLA crossover underpins them.
Surprisingly, while Mercedes chose not to offer the A-Class in America because it believes customers will turn their noses as the hatchback body, Infiniti will start shipping the Q30 in spring 2016. The QX30 will arrive a bit after the middle of the year.
Interestingly, there's no mention of AWD or engine choices in this rather liberal interview taken during the launch of the 2016 QX50. We could interpret that as meaning the Q30 will not have any AWD versions in America. As for the turbo mills, fat chance of ever seeing the smaller 1.6-liter gasoline models or that 2.2-liter diesel.
The marketing process has already started. Below, you'll find two brand new videos released by Infiniti USA that show some of the cooler features of the Q30.
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
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