Infiniti releases the first complete picture of its QX30 concept ahead of its March 3 unveiling at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show.
While Infiniti says the QX30 blends coupe styling with the higher stance of a crossover, its “QX” designation signifies it will be a CUV in Infiniti’s lineup. Its sister model, the Q30, also melds coupe and CUV but is classified a car.
Both the QX30 and Q30 are expected to go on sale in production form in 2016 in the U.S.
“We wanted the spontaneous fluidity of the QX30 concept design to cut through the urban clutter and rigidity, reflecting its go-anywhere and spur-of-the-moment nature,” Alfonso Albaisa, executive design director-Infiniti, says in a statement.
The design evolved from a theme of “stylish protection,” and because of that the QX30 has a “tough skid plate” in the rear, sculpted with “nuanced graphics.” The concept also has a more pronounced aluminum-trimmed front bumper.
Infiniti’s signature “dual wave” look is achieved on the body via deep upward cuts and intersecting contours, the brand says.
Other design cues on the QX30 concept include 21-in. wheels with interlocking spokes made up of multi-toned 3-dimensional milled aluminum and carbon-fiber lower cladding and roofbar supports, the latter also keeping weight down.
Roof racks are called a “sculpture for the rear passengers to look through, resulting in an unusual perspective of the world outside.”
WardsAuto’s Small CUV segment was the fastest-growing luxury CUV group in the U.S. last year, with sales up 15.7% due to increases by three of its four models: the BMW X1 and Mercedes GLA and GLK. Audi A3 volume fell 14.0% last year.
The segment’s volume of 68,346, however, was a fraction of the 507,072 Middle Luxury CUVs sold in the U.S. in 2014.
