USA - Infiniti Q30 Concept debuts in North America for 2015 launch

The Infiniti Q30 Concept, the next step in Infiniti's strategy to expand into new premium segments, made its North American debut  at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

The sleek, seductive Q30 Concept is the design vision for a compact Infiniti vehicle with a contemporary, individualized character for a new generation of premium customers. The compact premium segment is forecast for significant growth with the entry of young-minded affluent customers.

"The Infiniti Q30 Concept is highly predictive of a new head-turning premium compact that we will launch in early 2015," said Michael Bartsch, vice-president, Infiniti Americas. "It is the perfect addition to our current portfolio of advanced sports sedans and coupes, luxury performance crossovers and full-size SUVs."

"The Q30 Concept has a compact footprint geared to the global trend of younger customers entering the premium sector in search of a product that suits their urban lifestyle," added Bartsch. "The concept's vision is to be the alternative to the practicality and conformity in the compact car segment."

The Q30 Concept shares key Infiniti design cues with the new 2014 Infiniti Q50, while charting even more adventurous design language and sculpting. It also incorporates dramatic design cues from visionary Infiniti concept vehicles - Essence, Etherea and Emerg-e.

The shape of the Infiniti Q30 Concept deliberately challenges convention – fusing the dynamic design and sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatchback and the higher stance and visual presence of a crossover. Infiniti designers were given the freedom to explore seductive alternatives to traditional premium automobile brands.

The result is a very modern design with a sleek silhouette, dynamic character and artistically sculpted, individualistic interior design. It features a dramatic exterior shape, particularly the body sides, which include bold sections, deep undercuts and intersecting lines.

"Research among the new generation of buyers - with Gen X and Gen Y soon to represent 80 percent of the market - shows an increasing rejection of traditional notions toward premium cars," said Bartsch. "These buyers are less willing to connect size, presence and high-output power as key ingredients of the premium product. Rather, they're looking more for balance, great design and outstanding execution."

The bespoke feel of the Q30 Concept's interior design envisions Infiniti's ambition of interior design and quality leading the premium segment. With its warm, inviting and emotionally engaging experience, the Q30 Concept eschews the more clinical approach found in other premium brands.

The designers achieved this through pursuing highly sculptural shapes, featuring a unique execution of Infiniti's "dual wave" effect and pursuing the notion of dissymmetry. Dissymmetry, an unconventional approach, orients design features - from air vents and armrests to the instrument clusters - for more sculpted visual appeal.

The overall effect is enhanced by the harmonious contrast of materials in the cabin. The initial impression is a black-and-white theme, but closer examination reveals a richer feel characterized by cream leathers and a slight bronze effect adding warmth to blacks, creating sumptuous warmth.

Just as younger premium customers have embraced furniture design, fashion and clothing, Q30 Concept's interior conveys an understated expression of personality for its target customer. The careful choices of colors, materials, contrasts and accents express thoughtful coordination.

Reflecting the value these buyers place on connectivity, the Q30 Concept also offers a level of technologies and features, such as Infiniti InTouch, not typically found in compact cars.

"Younger and younger-minded premium customers inspired the Q30 Concept design team. They feel their lives are no longer aligned to one straight line in terms of career or lifestyle," said Bartsch. "Today is more about fluidity than rigidity, and that offers the freedom not to follow the norms important to a previous generation. The Infiniti Q30 Concept's vision is to be the ideal car for them."

New Infiniti Q50 pricing and specification

• Range starts from £27,950
• Infiniti InTouch™ dual screen system fitted to all Q50s
• Performance hybrid from £40,000
• World’s first Direct Adaptive Steering standard on Sports grade
• Full Pricing, specifications and technical details for Infiniti Q50 can be requested by emailing your country contact.

Infiniti has announced the pricing and grade line-up for its new performance saloon, the Q50. Pushing the boundaries with advanced technology and class-leading standards, the new car brings a refreshing new level of premium motoring, and premium style, to Europe.

The 2.2-litre diesel SE priced at £27,950 starts the Q50 range. As an SE it comes with a high level of standard equipment including 17-inch alloy wheels and run-flat tyres. LED lighting is used in the rear light units, the front fog lights and the turn indicators integrated into the door mirrors which are also heated and colour coded. Scratch-shield paint is used to ensure unwanted minor scratches simply disappear, whilst chrome-trimmed twin exhaust pipes and halogen daytime running lights enhance the car’s sporting presence.

On the inside the two front compartments are separated by a distinctive design line that runs through the centre console. The dashboard features Infiniti’s all-new InTouch™ system with its dual LCD VGA touch screens along with a fully customisable digital environment. Audio is provided by a six-speaker system featuring a single CD player, Bluetooth streaming, USB/iPod connectivity and voice-operated control. For the musical perfectionist an advanced Bose system with DAB radio can be chosen from one of the many available options.

The ideal temperature inside is carefully maintained by a dual-zone adaptive climate control system which features auto recirculation for when the outside air may not be quite so clean and a grape polyphenol filter to purify the air that does get through. The rear seats feature a 60/40 split and a ski hatch (not on Hybrid) to allow for any additional storage capacity requirements. A multi-function leather-bound steering wheel and stylish front aluminium door sill protectors are included.

Technology is naturally high on the agenda with standard fitment of cruise control, speed limiter, stop start, hill start assist, rear view camera, rain sensing wipers and keyless entry. Safety systems include vehicle dynamic control, including active trace and traction control, tyre pressure warning and brake assist.

Moving up a step is the Premium grade which adds £2400 to the price of the Q50 2.2-litre diesel SE, for a total of £30,350. The additional cost provides leather-trimmed seats, available in three colour choices: Graphite, Stone or Wheat. Both front seats also come with heated backrests and cushions. An automatic dimming rear view mirror is also included. Premium grade comes with a choice of interior trim ranging from the technical look of Kacchu aluminium to the more luxury appeal of Maplewood.

Starting at £32,720 (plus £2370 over the Premium) the Sport grade adds a more aggressive look with a different design to the front bumper section. Further differentiating the Sport model from SE and Premium Q50s are distinctive LED headlamps, LED daytime running lights and larger 19-inch triple-spoke lightweight alloy wheels, also with run-flat tyres.

Inside the technical Kacchu aluminium trim is used with the choice of either Graphite or Stone coloured leather. The front power-operated seats incorporate a more sporty design with a firmer hold and a memory function. The driver’s seat also benefits from additional and powered lumbar support. The perfect driving position is also made easier with the inclusion of power-adjusted reach and rake for the steering column.

Sports grade also receives a world’s first on a production car with the inclusion of Direct Adaptive Steering (DAS), ‘steer by wire’ technology that has only previously been seen on the latest jet planes. DAS provides the driver with the ability to adjust both the steering’s response and weight to suit personal preferences and type of driving. Integral with DAS is the equally innovative Active Lane Control which reduces the amount of driver adjustments needed to stay in the chosen lane on motorways. 

The performance Hybrid Q50 is fitted with a 3.5-litre V6 engine capable of delivering 0-62mph acceleration in 5.1 seconds. Sports suspension, regenerative braking and sports brakes are all standard. To warn pedestrians when the car is moving at slow speeds whilst in full electric mode, an external noise system is fitted.

The all-new Infiniti Q50 can be personalised with a wide range of options that include a sunroof, 18-inch

alloy wheels and Infiniti’s navigation system. However, to simplify matters there are also five different

option packs - 

Multimedia pack - £2760: Navigation system, Advanced Bose audio with 14 speakers and DAB radio with a roof mounted shark fin aerial.

Welcome Pack (Standard on Sport) - £1200: Tyre pressure monitoring with individual display, power and heated door mirrors with folding and reversing synchronisation, intelligent key with smart access and advanced features, welcome lighting, powered adjustment for rake and reach on the steering column, powered front seat adjustment with memory and powered lumbar support for the driver.

Visibility pack - £1040: Adaptive front lighting, smart beam to help prevent high beam blindness to oncoming traffic and around view monitor for clear and safe parking

Steering Pack (Standard on Sport) - £800: Direct Adaptive Steering and Active Lane control to give a more customised and precise feel to the steering whilst maintaining a more central path within a lane without the need for minor steering adjustments.

Safety Shield Pack - £2080:Intelligent cruise control, lane departure warning and lane departure prevention, blind spot warning and blind spot intervention, forward emergency braking, predictive forward collision warning and automatics also get distance control assist and back up collision intervention.  

Many of the above options can also be added as separate items if full the pack is not required.

Finishing off the look of the Q50 are eight exterior paint finishes to choose from – Obsidian Black, Moonlight White, Liquid Platinum, Graphite Shadow, Hagane Blue, Chestnut Bronze, Venetian Ruby and Malbec Black. Metallic paint option is priced at £660.

SE – from £27,950

Stop Start system

Cloth seats

Rear view camera

Drive mode selector

Bluetooth connectivity

6 Airbags

Cruise control

Speed limiter

Heated exterior mirrors w/ power operation

Halogen Headlights & Daytime running lights

LED front & rear fog lamps

Rain sensing wipers

Advanced dual zone climate control AC (auto re-circulation & Grape Polyphenol filter)

Infiniti InTouch™ - dual intuitive touch-screens (8” & 7”)

2 x USB slots

Leather multi-function steering wheel

Remote Keyless entry

Push engine starter

Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (warning)

17’’ alloy wheels with run flat tyres

Alarm System

60:40 rear folding seat

 

Premium – from £30,350

Leather seat upholstery

Auto-dimming rear view mirror

Heated front seats

 

Sport – from £32,720

19” triple spoke alloy wheels with run flat tyres

Direct Adaptive steering

Active Lane Control

Front sport bumper

LED auto-level headlights and daytime running lights

Aluminium trim

Sport and powered front seats

Powered rake and reach steering column adjustment

Intelligent key with enhanced memory functions

Magnesium paddle shifters

Aluminium pedals

Heated exterior mirrors w/ power operation, folding and reverse synchronisation

Tyre pressure monitoring system with individual pressures

Welcome lighting logic

 

Q50S Hybrid

Sports suspension

Sports brakes

Regenerative braking system

Approaching Vehicle Sound for pedestrians

About the Infiniti Q50

The Infiniti Q50 is the newest and most individual entrant in the mid-size premium class to compete against rivals such as the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series. Designed to appeal to both the heart and the head, the Infiniti Q50 marries the brand’s flowing, concept-car design themes with a welcoming cabin inspired by both high technology and traditional craftsmanship. The four-door, rear- or four-wheel drive saloon is available with a choice of two low CO2, high-performance engines: a 170PS, 400Nm 2.2-litre diesel (114g/km and 64.2mpg) and a 364PS 3.5-litre hybrid (144g/km and 45.6mpg). Depending on market, the Infiniti Q50 goes on sale later in 2013 priced from £27,950.