Staying true to the design cues from the original 2013 concept, the Q30 active compact exemplifies Infiniti's design-led approach to product development.
"Infiniti is an expression of design. We want our customers to feel the hand of the artist at work in the sculpted, muscular aesthetic of our cars. Q30 design is marked by turbulent character lines and sculptural shapes that look stretched over bone and muscle. The effect is a spontaneous feeling of harmonious design that can be appreciated at a glance."
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director
An important, differentiating characteristic of the Q30's design is its combination of elevated stance with an overall height that is comparable with models in the traditional compact segment (1,495mm for base and Premium, 1,475mm for Sport). The result is a highly distinctive, coupe-like silhouette, which is further emphasised by a shallow side glass area.
The Q30 takes Infiniti's signature design cues and evolves them into new dynamic shapes. The double-arch grille with 3D mesh, for example, has grown from the Q50, with a more fluid movement into the headlamps. The dramatic curves and turbulent lines flow up the signature double-wave bonnet, over the fenders and across the body line into the strong shoulder of the car. The signature C-pillar arcs forward in a dynamic crescent shape that emphasises motion, even when stationary. The contrast of the long, low-slung roof-line, conjuring an image of a rakish shooting brake in silhouette, and elevated stance add to the visual impact.
Above the base Q30 model, two grades, 'Premium' and 'Sport', permit opportunities for further individual expression through exterior design.
The Q30 Premium includes LED front fog lamps, body-coloured and heated door mirrors, as well as chrome dual rectangular exhaust finishers. 18-inch alloy wheels add to the Premium grade's striking appearance.
The face of the Q30 Sport is slightly different, thanks to a shapely bespoke bumper and gloss black front grille. Custom body-coloured side sills give the car a striking, in-motion look, while a sporty rear bumper is joined by dark chrome dual rectangular exhaust finishers. 19-inch alloy wheels complete the confident look of the Sport model.
The Q30 Premium's elevated stance allows for a higher hip point (531mm), which aids ingress and egress. The A-pillar design is intentionally slim, contributing to enhanced visibility for a confident driving experience. Q30 Sport stands a little lower, providing for agile ride and handling.
The Q30's coupe-like design belies its interior space and functionality. Cabin room is highly competitive, notably the boot capacity of 368 litres VDA, which ranks among the best in the premium compact segment.
"The Q30 is not the little brother or sister to siblings from larger segments - the car features a unique posture and shape that conveys the type of spontaneity and independent spirit that can only be matched by its owner."
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director
Infiniti's bold approach to design continues inside the Q30, where buyers will find an expressive interior that challenges traditional standards of symmetry in automotive design.
The beautifully styled, asymmetric surfaces feature wave shapes and dynamic lines that twist apart and flow away from the driver. This 'dissymmetry' alters the conventional perception of occupant areas, creating a more pleasant environment in which to spend time.
"Infiniti wants to offer an environment in which the driver stays connected to the driving experience and where passengers feel relaxed in an open, aesthetically pleasing space. All occupants will appreciate a high level of artistry in the flowing, asymmetric lines."
Alfonso Albaisa, Infiniti Executive Design Director
Custom-designed trims deliver a personalised, self-expressive interior design. 'City Black' blends black upholstery with purple stitching, ideal for the all-night urbanite. 'Cafe Teak' combines classy brown and black upholstery with black stitching, providing a modern twist on traditional concepts of premium. 'Gallery White' endows Q30 with a fashionable, high-contrast appearance, featuring white leather with red accents. All three 'designer' trims accentuate the Q30's stand-out interior, and will add to the car's appeal for open-minded premium buyers looking for a new, creative approach to cabin design.
Infiniti interior designers have also selected the highest quality materials and processes available to create a modern-looking and luxurious cabin. For example, a super-soft, highly tactile material lines high-impact areas of the interior, such as door trims and the centre armrest, while 'Dinamica(r)', a new Italian suede-like material used increasingly in the high-fashion industry, has been applied to the roof-line and pillars.
Interior noise levels in Q30 add to the overall cabin comfort. Infiniti sound engineers used the official Articulation Index, a standard way of measuring the level of speech intelligibility provided in a space, to measure the quality of occupant conversation within the cabin. Q30 features a 10% improvement in audibility over the leading segment competition at a speed of 120kph.
Quietness in the cabin is aided by Active Noise Cancellation, which emits sound waves from the four door speakers to negate any instances of booming noise emanating from the 2.2-litre diesel engine. Sound-damping materials further reduce the impact of unwanted noise, either from the engine or exterior elements, while the closed sections of the high-rigidity body structure protect the Q30 from any negative noise and vibration generated by broken or inconsistent road surfaces.
Further interior comfort is guaranteed thanks to an advanced seat design. The seat back has been carefully engineered to match the curvature of the spine, providing consistent spinal support and minimising pressure on back muscles. A wider fitting shape on the seats distributes weight more evenly, while the softness of the seat cushion provides enhanced support and comfort. Internal testing by Infiniti engineers showed that the Q30 seat back section distributes load more effectively than its competitors in the segment.
For drivers wanting to add to the dynamic feel inside the Q30, sports seats with integrated headrests are available for the first time in an Infiniti, featuring eight-way adjustment and power lumbar support. The Q30 Sport features a leather-wrapped, flat-bottomed steering wheel, as well as aluminium pedals, adding to the in-control driving experience.
On certain grades, drivers can also stay in tune with the dynamic performance of the Q30 through Active Sound Enhancement, which monitors acceleration behaviour and gear ratio, smoothing out variations in engine tone to project a harmonious and exhilarating sound when accelerating.
Confident dynamics deliver a holistic driving experience
The Q30 active compact delivers a dynamic driving experience unique to Infiniti. Development started at the brand's technical centre in Japan, before moving to Europe for final development and testing. In total, over 750 Infiniti engineers in Japan and Europe were involved in the car's development.
"Each mechanical aspect has been tuned in unison to make the Q30 perform as one, delivering a holistic driving experience that is both involving and intuitive. As a result, high performance is deployed consistently."
Grahame Cornforth, Infiniti chief vehicle engineer
The priority for Infiniti engineers was to strike an ideal balance between ride and handling. The car stays firm on the road thanks to specially tuned shock absorbers, with engineers testing over 50 variations on prototype vehicles before arriving at the optimal setting, while the driving remains smooth throughout. Body stiffness has been enhanced to the benefit of the driver, eliminating negative sensations and audio cues, so the Q30 experience feels and sounds controlled.
Infiniti engineers have designed the suspension to be both forgiving and comfortable, without sacrificing agility. Bump shock rates and shock absorber rebound rates have been specially tuned, while MacPherson front struts offer tight packaging to best handle Q30's size and weight. A multilink system at the rear offers precise wheel control in all conditions.
The Q30's steering has been tuned to deliver a consistent and connected feeling, thanks to an intuitive speed-sensitive system. A light and nimble feel makes the car easier to control in busy city traffic and urban environments, reducing stress and driver fatigue, while a gradual increase in resistance according to incremental changes in speed boosts driver confidence and control.
"The Q30 offers excellent steering, further enhancing the overall ride and handling feel, as well as a tuned suspension and body response that's uniquely Infiniti. Thanks to this set-up, the car offers a firm and in-control driving sensation, a perfect example being Q30's ability to confidently steer the right cornering angle and 'hold the line' precisely through the corner."
Grahame Cornforth, Infiniti chief vehicle engineer
Depending on the grade, Q30's suspension settings endow unique performance attributes. The base and Premium models are best suited to the varied and often inconsistent road surfaces found in urban environments, with the suspension set-up biased towards reducing vibration and harshness picked up from the road.
The Q30 Sport, with 15mm lower ground clearance than the base and Premium versions, gives a firmer ride, facilitating tighter body control and reduced roll, without compromising comfort. The Sport grade has been engineered to be used comfortably on a daily basis while offering an intuitive, in-control driving experience.
A varied range of powertrain options are available, all tuned to provide exciting power delivery. In the base model, a 1.6-litre engine, with either 90kW (120hp, 122ps) or 115kW (154hp, 156ps) will be joined by diesel options that include 1.5-litre and 2.2-litre engines, both four cylinder, with 80kW (107hp, 109ps) and 125kW (168hp, 170ps) power outputs, respectively.
In addition to these powertrain options, Premium and Sport models add a 2.0-litre, four-cylinder petrol engine producing 155kW (208hp, 211ps).
Automatic gear shifts are smooth and seamless thanks to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The dual clutch intelligently pre-selects gears so the next shift is always ready to go, while manual mode with paddle shifters lets the driver control gear changes when desired. Well-spaced ratios promise comfortable acceleration thanks to an even distribution of power, whether at a steady or fast pace, while quick and supple changes are ensured using either the fully automatic mode or the paddle gear selectors. Torque is almost uninterrupted between changes, reducing lurching while in motion and between shifts.
A six-speed manual transmission will also be made available.
Power delivery from all engines is smooth while responsive as Infiniti's technical engineers have ensured the Q30's acceleration is prompt and reactive - providing bursts of power when most needed, giving confidence to the driver. An in-command sensation is generated by easily controlled acceleration, enabling the driver to feel and regulate the Q30's forward motion more intuitively.
The Q30 features a host of intuitive technologies that enhance the driving experience, while providing maximum safety to all occupants. These include: Automatic park assistance with Around View Monitor and Moving Object Detection, making the Q30 one of the easiest cars to park in the premium compact segment; Blind Spot Warning, providing greater security and confidence at speed by warning of other vehicles out of the driver's line of sight; Forward Collision Warning with Forward Emergency Braking, reducing the stress of driving in heavy traffic or in the city; Auto High Beam Assist, a highly intuitive technology that improves safety and confidence during night-time driving; and Intelligent Cruise Control, maintaining a safe distance from the car in front, resulting in a safe and relaxing drive.