Infiniti Q30. Defiantly cocky
The Infiniti Q30 is a compact C-class hatchback produced by Infiniti, the luxury arm of the Japanese automaker Nissan, since 2015. The brand’s first compact car. It can be both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. It is based on the third generation of Mercedes A-class, and it is a joint development of Renault-Nissan and Mercedes-Benz. You can buy the first generation of the hatchback in Israel in 2021. In the summer of 2019, the release of the Q30 was discontinued due to low demand.
The Infiniti Q30 combines the features of a hatchback, coupe, and crossover. The target audience for the car is not only young people who want to buy a compact car of the premium segment but also people under the age of 50. In general, the car is distinguished by its original design, comfort, and good handling (compared to the A-class Mercedes).
Infiniti Q30 competitors are considered to be BMW 1-series, Audi A3, Volvo V40 Cross Country. But Infiniti is more expensive compared to them. Even the Mercedes A-class is offered at more affordable prices for modifications with the same motors and automated manual transmission. But the buyer of Q30 can already count on an impressive list of basic equipment from the very beginning! If the main point is the ground clearance, then you can pay attention to the Infiniti QX30 crossover created based on the two-liter version of the hatchback with the clearance increased to 202 mm.
First generation
It was produced from 2015 to 2019. The pre-production version of the model was shown in the fall of 2013, and the production-ready car was released at the motor show in Frankfurt in 2015. The compact premium hatchback is based on the Mercedes-Benz front-wheel drive MFA platform. But the suspension settings are their own. The powertrain lineup is also borrowed from Mercedes-Benz models. It includes gasoline engines with a volume of 1.6 (122, 149, and 156 hp.) and 2.0 (211 hp.) liters, as well as diesel engines with a capacity of 109 hp. (1.5 L) and 170 hp. (2.2 l). They are paired with a six-speed manual transmission, or with a 7-band automated manual transmission with two clutches (supplied to Israel).
The production car turned out to be almost the same as the concept car. As conceived by the developers, the Q30 Concept was conceived as an ‘alloy of three body types’. It should be sporty, like a two-seater coupe, roomy like a hatchback, and it should have a high seating position, like a crossover. The modular front-wheel drive platform MFA, which became the basis for the new generation of the A-class and the GLA crossover, which eventually became the closest ‘relatives’ of the Infiniti Q30, was the best fit for the plan. By the way, not only the platform but also some of the Q30 body panels have similar features to their counterparts from Mercedes. The new modular platform, common to the Infiniti Q30 and Mercedes A-Class, and the GLA crossover, implies the presence of a McPherson front suspension and a multi-link at the rear.
Exterior
As expected, the serial Infiniti Q30 2015/2016 repeats its prototype for the most part, but at the same time the bumpers and lighting technology have become a little simpler, traditional handles have appeared on the doors, the rear-view mirrors have changed, as well as the design of the rims. There is also a Sport version with more aggressive bumpers, side skirts, 19-inch wheels, and a 15 mm lowered suspension. But overall, the car is cheeky, even slightly provocative, with a unique eye shape-inspired LED headlight design and signature sculpted lines.
Interior
The interior of the Q30 takes on many of the A-class features, including the center console buttons, climate control unit, and instrument panel. But, some of the interior elements have changed: for example, the gearbox control selector, the multimedia system screen. The company also emphasizes that the noise insulation in the hatchback is at least 10% better (when driving at a speed of 120 km/h), compared to the leaders of this class. This was achieved through the use of an active noise reduction system and the wider use of soundproof materials.
Equipment
Two trim versions of the 2019 Infinity Q30 hatchback Luxe and Sport are available in Israel. In addition to adaptive LED headlights with washers, rain and light sensors, seven airbags, the car has electric heated seats and electric drive of mirrors, glass, and seats, the car can be equipped with parking sensors and a rear-view camera, a blind zone control system, a panoramic glass roof. As for the equipment common to all versions of the equipment, 2018/2019 Infiniti Q30 is distinguished by premium filling. There are full-function mirrors with turn signal repeaters, a multi-wheel adjustable in two planes, front and rear dividing armrests, electric and heated front seats, keyless entry, 2- zone climate control, multi-function display in the instrument panel, 7-inch touchscreen display, Bluetooth, air conditioning and more.
The car provides three versions, differing in additional equipment: City Black, Cafe Teak, and Gallery White.
- City Black features 18-inch wheels with a special design, Nappa and Alcantara trims, fabric seats with purple stitching, glossy wheel arch extensions, silver exterior mirror housings, and LED interior lighting.
- Cafe Teak features a 10-speaker Bose Hi-Fi system with 350 watts of power, an interactive In Touch navigation system with traffic information, a panoramic roof, and a parking assistant. The seats are black-brown with black stitching.
- Gallery White boasts wheels with red accents and white upholstery with red stitching. This modification has all the equipment of the Café Teak version, including a ski hatch.
Safety
Tests conducted by the European Commission for the safety assessment of new cars in 2015 ranked the Infiniti Q30 among the safest cars with the highest rating of five stars. The experts rated the high level of pedestrian protection at 91%. The hatchback received 81 points for electronic assistants.
The new Q30's equipment list includes systems such as 4-channel ABS, brake force distribution (EBD), emergency braking assistance, collision avoidance system, dynamic stability and traction control, lane control and tire pressure monitoring, and even the assistant at the start on the rise. There are all-round cameras, a navigation system, and an intelligent parking assistance system in more expensive trim versions.
