USA/CHINA - A simuultaneous World Premiere for the All-New Infiniti QX30, a UK built premium Crossover.

• QX30 debuts as a new premium offering for global markets
• Combines crossover appearance with signature Infiniti design cues
• Delivers a confident drive and versatile attitude, aided by intelligent all-wheel drive
• Intuitive technologies enhance safety, comfort and convenience
• Part of first Infiniti production in Europe, at new facilities in Sunderland, UK
• Simultaneous world premieres at Los Angeles and Guangzhou motor shows


The Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover is making its simultaneous global debut at the 2015 Los Angeles and Guangzhou international motor shows – signalling the next phase of the company’s global growth strategy.
Created for a new generation of premium buyers who appreciate category-defying design inside and out, the QX30 boasts a purposeful appearance that makes a bold visual statement as part of Infiniti’s premium model line-up.
Remaining true to the powerful and elegant design cues that guided the original QX30 concept, the car’s highly sculpted exterior, unique crossover stance and asymmetric cabin design exemplify Infiniti’s design-led approach to product development.











In addition to its striking appearance, the QX30 offers an elevated ride height, confidence-inspiring handling and a versatile attitude, underpinned by an intelligent all-wheel drive system. As a result, the vehicle is able to take on urban, suburban and winding rural roads in all driving conditions.
The next step for Infiniti in the premium compact segment
“With our recent sales successes and record growth, the current product offensive will further strengthenInfiniti’s global market position. The active crossover, QX30, will broaden our offer to new customers around the world.”
Roland Krueger, President of Infiniti


Further fulfilling Infiniti’s promise to expand its product line-up based on popular concept car designs, the arrival of the QX30 premium active crossover comes at a moment of opportunity for the Infiniti brand. 
The QX30 will play an integral role in Infiniti’s promise to offer customers a broader range of premium products. The QX30 adds another dimension to Infiniti’s premium model line-up and will play a vital role in the brand’s global growth.
In the first 10 months of 2015, Infiniti sold almost 173,000 new vehicles worldwide, representing an increase of 16 percent compared to the same period in 2014. 
 
Global sales of 18,400 units in October represented an increase of 20 percent over the same month in the previous year, and continued a 14-month run of best individual months on record for Infiniti, including the best October sales in history for many regions and markets such as the Americas, China, Mexico, and Western Europe.


The 32,200 vehicles sold in China means Infiniti has already exceeded its full-year 2014 figure in the world’s largest car market, while in the U.S. Infiniti sold more than 106,700 vehicles, the best sales results in the country since 2005.


As a member of the new premium family, the QX30 gives Infiniti a great platform from which to achieve its goals in key markets globally. It will be built at new manufacturing facilities in Sunderland, UK, becoming part of Infiniti’s first car production in Europe.
The high demands of premium vehicle manufacturing require significant investment and a highly skilled workforce. Establishing a production base for the Infiniti QX30 represented a new $1.9 billion (£250 million) commitment in plant extensions totalling over 88,000 square feet (25,000m2). 
A successful recruitment program was conducted, filling over 300 new jobs to support production, while 4,000 existing production line staff members were given special training to meet exacting Infiniti standards.
Attracting a new type of premium car buyer
“We have identified a new generation of premium buyers and have positioned QX30 as a personalized premium option to suit a varied range of needs. The car is as much at home in the city as it is outside of urban environments, inspiring confidence with its ‘ready-to-go-anywhere’ attitude.”
Francois Bancon, Infiniti Vice President Product Strategy


Infiniti is targeting a new generation of premium buyers with the new QX30. The premium crossover segment is currently among the fastest-expanding markets globally, and Generations X and Y will represent the majority of buyers in this segment by 2020. 
For them, the car is an expression of “self” rather than “status,” and they remain open to new, category-defying concepts.
The QX30 will hold a unique position in the segment, bridging the gap between premium compact rivals and larger crossover models. 
Its crossover-style versatility extends from unique design appeal and a wide range of comfort, convenience, safety and dynamic features, including intelligent all-wheel drive. Its elevated ride height and high-stability drivetrain will give confidence to drivers.
This more purposeful, crossover-inspired execution has been achieved without the QX30 losing the premium look and feel that buyers expect of a car in this segment. 
It maintains its urban appeal, premium fit and finish and seamless integration of Infiniti’s highly expressive design – requisite elements required for the car to succeed in the premium arena.
Category-defying design


The original QX30 concept, which made its international debut at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, combined the sleek lines of a coupe with the in-command stance of an all-wheel drive crossover. Consistent with Infiniti’s design-led approach to product development, the production version of the QX30 maintains these characterful attributes


“The category-defying design of the QX30 stays true to the inspiration behind the daring 2015 concept. Its mix of artistry in the flowing lines, and power in the elevated stance and confident look, makes a bold visual statement and challenges current preconceptions of what a crossover should look like.”


Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director




The combination of a low-slung roofline, elevated stance and crossover appearance creates a striking visual impact. The versatile stance endows the QX30 with a “go-anywhere” attitude, ready to take on all driving conditions – without compromising the high quality finish that buyers associate with premium rivals.
The QX30 exterior is characterized by dramatic curves and turbulent, sculpted character lines that make an emotional statement, evolving them into new dynamic shapes for a more purposeful appearance. The double-arch grille with three-dimensional mesh draws a flowing, fluid link to the headlamps for a more organic shape.
The lines of the QX30 flow up the double-wave hood, over the fenders, across the bodyline and into the strong shoulders of the car. The overall effect is designed to look stretched over bone and muscle, rather than the straight, “mechanical” lines seen on rival models. Infiniti’s signature C-pillar design forges a dynamic crescent shape that emphasises motion, even when stationary.
The elevated dimensions make for a confident and relaxing drive, while ascribing to the car’s versatile character. An overall height of 60.2 inches (1,530mm) (with standard roof rails) helps improve forward visibility over its rivals, aided by a slim A-pillar design, while the elevated ride allows for a higher hip point, improving ease of ingress and egress.
Other exterior details include newly designed front and rear bumpers and grained side sills for a rugged look, as well as bodywork finished with satin chrome-plated inserts for a premium and high quality metallic finish.
Living in asymmetry and comfort with QX30


“QX30’s asymmetric interior design results in an environment focused on the driver, yet encompassing passengers in such a way as to involve and cater for them, more so than the traditionally isolating designs found in the premium segment.


Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director”




The bold approach Infiniti has taken to design continues inside the QX30, which challenges traditional standards of symmetry with its expressive, modern and dynamic interior.
The asymmetric surfaces feature wave shapes and dynamic lines that twist apart and flow away from the driver. These give an “in-motion” feel when natural light moves over the highly sculpted lines and contrasting materials in the cabin. This “dissymmetry” creates a more pleasant environment in which to spend time.
The most premium materials and processes available have been selected by Infiniti designers in order to create a modern-looking and luxurious cabin. 
A custom-designed QX30 trim delivers a personalized, self-expressive interior design. The standard interior is finished in high quality black cloth, while optional black or beige Nappa leather delivers an even more premium finish.
Refinement and comfort is also a core appeal of the QX30’s interior. Comfort is guaranteed thanks to an advanced seat design, which makes use of Infiniti’s advanced “spinal support” research. 
The seat backs have been carefully engineered to match the curvature of the spine, providing consistent spinal support by more equally distributing load across the seat to minimise pressure on back muscles. 
Meanwhile, a wider fitting shape and soft seat cushion also provides enhanced support. Internal testing carried out by Infiniti engineers showed that the QX30 seat provides greater levels of support and comfort than rivals, reducing driver fatigue on longer journeys.
The QX30’s supreme interior quietness adds to cabin comfort, with some of the lowest noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) levels in the premium compact segment.
The extensive application of sound-absorbent materials reduces the intrusion of wind, road and unwanted engine noise into the cabin. In addition, closed sections of the high-rigidity body structure protect the QX30 from any negative noise and vibration generated by broken or inconsistent road surfaces.
The result is an incredibly quiet and refined platform, allowing Infiniti engineers to isolate and emphasise the more pleasant and enriching tones of the QX30’s engines under acceleration, without disturbing the calm of the cabin.
A versatile attitude and drivetrain to deal with any challenge
The QX30 is engineered to deliver a confidence-inspiring, dynamic driving experience, aided by intelligent all-wheel drive.




Development of the QX30 started at the brand’s technical center in Japan, before moving to Europe for final validation and testing. In total, over 750 Infiniti engineers in Japan and Europe were involved in the development and testing of the QX30 in a wide variety of roads and environments.
“Our holistic approach to engineering the QX30 has resulted in a car that delivers a precise, ‘in-command’ experience behind the wheel. The finely-tuned chassis and suspension, plus a number of assistive driver technologies, all work together to the benefit of the driver, providing a confident drive in all conditions and surroundings.
”
Grahame Cornforth, Infiniti Chief Vehicle Engineer




The QX30’s chassis has been developed to offer a comfortable ride and confident handling in spite of its elevated ride height and ground clearance. Development teams responsible for QX30’s ride and handling worked hard to ensure the car’s dynamic characteristics met with buyers’ expectations of a vehicle that has been engineered to bridge the gap between compacts and crossovers. 
Its springs and rear anti-roll bar are stiffer, continuing the engineers’ efforts to ensure a flat ride. 
While the slightly firmer suspension helps to counteract the dynamic effects of a higher center of gravity, the modifications to the chassis enable QX30 to remain comfortable at all speeds and over a variety of road surfaces.
The QX30 comes equipped with an intelligent all-wheel drive system. The drivetrain is able to send up to 50 percent of the engine’s power and torque to the rear axle to maintain traction on slippery surfaces and in inclement weather, enhancing a feeling of control and confidence when driving. 
For example, if sensors detect wheel slip, braking is applied to the slipping wheel, while torque is sent to the gripping wheel for additional stability. Combined with the elevated ground clearance, the QX30’s drivetrain is engineered to deal with all conditions.
Another standard feature is the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission system. The dual-clutch intelligently pre-selects gears so the next shift is always ready to go, while manual mode lets the driver control gear changes when desired. 
Delivering seamless acceleration at any speed and in any gear, the application of torque is almost uninterrupted during gear changes, reducing lurching while in motion and between shifts.
Depending on market, there will be a choice between responsive diesel and gasoline engines for QX30 buyers – with specific details available closer to launch.
Intuitive technologies enhance an involving, safe driving experience


The QX30 will be among the safest cars in its class owing to a range of active safety and hazard avoidance technologies that enhance the driving experience and provide maximum safety to all occupants. 


An Around View Monitor with moving object detection and Intelligent Parking Assist makes the QX30 the easiest car to park in its segment.




A special metal plating method allows the radar waves of the Intelligent Cruise Control to pass through the Infiniti badge without disrupting the QX30’s striking appearance with unseemly radar units.
Infiniti’s trademark InTouch infotainment system, first introduced on the pioneering Q50, has been evolved and upgraded for the QX30 for a highly intuitive finger touch and swipe control through a seven-inch touch-screen HMI (human machine interface). 
Infiniti Voice Recognition interacts with the InTouch infotainment system to control audio and navigation commands.
The Infiniti QX30 premium active crossover will go on sale in selected markets in the middle of 2016.
Please note: All product information contained in this press kit relates to global QX30 information, including technical specifications, powertrains and standard/optional equipment and features. Please contact your country’s Infiniti PR office for product details relevant to your market.

CHINA - The latest Qoros, the Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T launches in China.

Modern distinctive design, ideal for an active city lifestyle, commanding driving position, excellent connectivity, high safety standards

New international car brand, Qoros, is revealing its third series production car, the new Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T, at the 2014 Guangzhou International Auto Show. 

The pinnacle of the range, the compact City SUV is designed and engineered to appeal to consumers with an appetite for living life to the full, and who are looking for a car to fit into their active, premium, city lifestyle. With its distinctive, modern design it has the flexibility to balance the requirements of the urban commute with the pursuit of weekend leisure activities in the countryside. 

The new compact urban SUV is scheduled to go on sale before the end of December 2014 with prices starting from RMB 140,000.

Sitting 67mm higher than the 3 Hatch, City SUV drivers benefit from a more commanding driving position that delivers a sense of control, safety and security. For day-to-day city driving the City SUV provides better visibility for the driver, while the increased ride height ensures easier entry and egress. 

For out-of-town leisure activities, the new model offers higher ground clearance, larger wheels and robust body protection. The higher ride height enhances driveability and manoeuvrability to give the driver more confidence on rough or uneven road surfaces.

Developed by an international team of experienced specialists and new, young automotive talent from China, the Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T exhibits the top quality engineering and excellent safety standards with which Qoros is making a powerful global impression.

The City SUV is being manufactured in the brand’s new highly-efficient and environmentally-sustainable assembly plant in Changshu, 80km north-west of Shanghai, on the same production line as the 3 Sedan and 3 Hatch.

Exterior design

The new Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T features a bold evolution of distinctive signature Qoros design cues, although aesthetic enhancements give the car a unique character and reflect the individualistic preferences of its target customers.

For the compact class, the Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T features a comparatively long wheelbase (2694mm), generous width (1854mm), and a short rear overhang (815mm). These elegan proportions suit perfectly the vehicle’s bold, high stance (1504mm), distinctive body cladding and detailed styling.

At the front, additional cladding and a front skid-plate give the face a more rugged, masculine look. The round fog lights are set into boldly-contoured recesses that wrap around the bumper, details that provide energy and poise.

The side profile features bold wheel arches – defined by protective body cladding which continues along the side sills and doors – along with larger wheels and tyres and the larger two-part, two-colour roof spoiler.

The deep rear bumper (part body colour, part graphite) features twin exhaust pipes which are set into a new silver rear skid-plate to provide added protection when traversing poor road conditions.

Reinforcing its increased ride height, the City SUV is offered with large alloy wheels. As standard, 17-inch alloys are fitted on Active, Style and Style Plus models and 18-inch designs on the range-topping Excite model.

The Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T will be available in a range of five exterior paint colours – all available without extra cost: Crystal White (solid), Starlight Black, Diamond Silver, Shimmer Grey and Sunrise Red (all metallic).

Interior

In common with all Qoros models, the City SUV’s cabin is dominated by a clean, horizontal design theme that emphasises the spacious interior. The hip-point of the front seats is raised by 10mm, so the driver’s eye-level is 67mm higher than in the 3 Hatch, giving a commanding view of the road.

When launched in China, the Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T will offer customers a choice of four trim specifications – Active, Style, Style Plus and Excite.

Standard features on all versions of the City SUV include the brand’s innovative Qoros MMH™ (Multi Media Hub) infotainment system, Bluetooth® for hands free calling and wireless music streaming, all-round electric windows, electric exterior mirrors that feature turn indicator repeaters, and dual exhaust pipes.

Interior feature highlights on the entry-level Active models include keyless start, 17-inch alloy wheels and manual air-conditioning.

The Style models will also benefit from the six-speed QorosTroniq™ 6DCT automatic transmission, dual-zone automatic air-conditioning, cruise control and a rear parking camera, as well as advanced QorosQloud™ 3G connected services with enhanced navigation and networking.

Buyers of Style Plus models also receive leather seats with the front seats heated and electrically adjustable, plus automatic door mirror folding, a tyre pressure indicator and a powered tilt/slide sunroof.

Top-of-the-range Excite models add Xenon headlamps, 18-inch alloy wheels, keyless entry and keyless start, ‘dusk-sensing’ auto on/off headlights, a rear parking camera with dynamic guideline and distance sensors, and full cabin ambient lighting.

As befits a model designed to deliver optimal lifestyle practicality to active customers, the standard 60:40 split rear seatbacks fold individually to optimise cargo carrying flexibility. Folding both seatbacks down increases cargo capacity to 1,105 litres when loaded to the roof. Style Plus and Excite models incorporate a rear seat ski-hatch.

In addition to the 2.8-litre glovebox (air-conditioned on Excite models), there are numerous further storage compartments, including in the front centre console and front arm rest, as well as wide door pockets in all four doors and front seatback pockets.

Refinement in the interior is optimised thanks to extensive NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) and acoustics development, which was a high priority for Qoros’ vehicle development team. It succeeded in controlling and suppressing vibrations and noise from within the vehicle – engine, transmission and other components – as well as those triggered externally, such as tyre roar and wind noise.

QorosQloud™ connectivity and touchscreen infotainment

QorosQloud – the portal to an exclusive suite of connected services – will be included as standard on Style, Style Plus and Excite models in the Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T range. QorosQloud is part of Qoros’ strategic objective to be innovative and creative in meeting the lifestyle needs of the modern, metropolitan consumer.

Accessed in the City SUV via the advanced eight-inch Qoros MMH™ system (see next section), QorosQloud services can also be accessed from a dedicated website and apps for Apple iOS and Android. 

As a result, QorosQloud is integrated across customers’ connected devices and enhances the way they interact with and incorporate their car into their digital lives. 

This creates a closer connection than ever between the driver, the vehicle, the dealer and the digital world. It enables motorists to remain ‘always-connected’ to navigation and traffic information, their social networks, and the car’s condition, maintenance and service requirements.

From early 2015, a new incarnation of QorosQloud – QorosQloud 2.0 will be available. This further enhances the simplicity of the user experience for the driver, making it more intuitive and fun to use.

In the car, QorosQloud is accessed through the innovative Qoros MMH system that is fitted as standard to every Qoros. With an eight-inch capacitive touchscreen, it is one of the first touchscreen infotainment systems in the world to be specifically designed to maximise the opportunities and capabilities of multi-touch gestures.

Qoros MMH was designed and developed to safely manage information displays for minimal driver distraction and to optimise ease-of-use while on the move. The innovative user-interface is based on the finger ‘swipe’ concept of modern smartphones.

Those who enjoy high quality music to enhance their journey are well catered for across the entire Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T range, with a four-speaker 100-watt audio system fitted to the Essence models as standard, and a six-speaker 150-watt audio system for the rest of the line-up.

Powertrain

The new City SUV will be available with the brand’s powerful, efficient 1.6-litre four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine as standard.

The European-developed turbocharged 1.6-litre 16-valve VVT (variable valve timing) engine suits the extra flexibility required for city and country driving. The engine produces 115 kW (156 bhp) power and 210 Nm torque over a broad rev range between 1,750 and 5,000 rpm.

As standard, this engine is paired with the six-speed manual transmission in the Active model, accelerating the City SUV from zero to 100 km/h in 10.1 seconds. 

Also with six speeds, the smooth shifting QorosTroniq™ 6DCT transmission is standard on Style, Style Plus and Excite models. With this gearbox, acceleration to 100 km/h is achieved in 10.8 seconds and top speed is 208 km/h.

Fuel economy is amongst the very best in the compact class, achieving 6.8 l/100km with the manual transmission and 6.9 l/100km with the DCT (NEDC cycle).

Vehicle dynamics

The vehicle dynamics of the new Qoros 3 City SUV 1.6T have been developed to fully exploit the new car’s higher chassis, wider track (up by 9mm at the front and 2mm at the rear compared to the 3 Hatch) and longer wheelbase (up 5mm), while also being tailored to deliver driving characteristics to rival those of compact SUV’s developed by leading European brands.

Like the highly acclaimed 3 Hatch and 3 Sedan, the City SUV’s suspension features MacPherson struts at the front and an OMEGA-shaped twist beam at the rear to provide an ideal balance of responsive handling and a compliant ride.

Several chassis modifications ensure that the City SUV has similar ‘DNA’ characteristics to the 3 Hatch in terms of ride, handling and steering, despite its higher centre of gravity.

Stopping power is provided by 305mm ventilated disc brakes at the front and 285mm solid disc brakes at the rear. Anti-lock braking (ABS) and electronic stability control (ESC) systems were developed in conjunction with TRW specifically for the Qoros 3 family of vehicles.

Safety

The City SUV embodies the same Qoros Crash Management System philosophy as the 3 Sedan and 3 Hatch, each of which carry a maximum five-star ranking from Euro NCAP.

In September 2013, the City SUV’s stablemate, the Qoros 3 Sedan, secured the accolade of being the first car developed in China to achieve the maximum five-star rating in the Euro NCAP crash tests and was also ranked the ‘safest car’ of 2013.

ABS (anti-lock braking system), EBD (electronic brake distribution) and a driver-set speed limiting device are standard across the range, as are ISOFIX child seat mountings with top tethers on the right and left rear seats.

Additional standard safety equipment on all City SUV models, apart from the entry-level Active, will include: ESC (electronic stability control), ETC (electronic traction control), BA (brake assist), and CBC (cornering brake control), automatic brake disc cleaning, a seat belt reminder for the driver (and front passenger on Excite models).