First Pic: Infiniti Q30 Concept

Here’s an early first look at the Infiniti Q30 Concept that will formally bow in at Frankfurt next month. Embracing a unique mix of body styles and promising to defy conventional thinking, the Q30 Concept is the precursor to a new entry level premium compact vehicle the automaker will aim at a new generation of younger upscale buyers in an attempt to extend Infiniti‘s global reach as well as the breadth of its product portfolio.

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Envisioned under the direction of Executive Design Director Alfonso Albaisa, the Q30 Concept reflects the latest evolution in the brand’s styling language and merges "the dynamic design and sportiness of a coupe, the roominess of a hatch and the higher stance of a crossover." By overlaying that unique visual presence with "elevated levels of fit/finish, craftsmanship and performance," Infiniti hopes to shake up the status quo in the premium compact realm with the Q30 Concept’s volume-build successor.

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No additional details were released on the Q30 Concept. However, as we reported earlier, the production Q30 is expected to be a front-driver based on a variation of Mercedes-Benz‘ modular "MFA" small-car platform currently used in its new A-Class/B-Class offerings and likely powered by M-B’s 1.8-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine. The car is slated to go into production sometime in 2015.

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