Infiniti has released the first official image of its new Q30 Concept before the vehicle makes its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month.
The Q30 Concept is the company's first take on a luxury compact hatchback, set to rival cars like the Lexus CT 200h and Audi A3, as well as other-market hatchbacks like the BMW 1-Series and Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
As such, the Q30 Concept takes Infiniti's recent design direction and alters its proportions for a smaller, stockier shape. Sculpted by Infiniti's design team, led by Executive Design Director Alfonso Albaisa, it retains the sort of taut curves and sharp creases you'll find on larger Infinitis--such as the new Q50 or the popular Emerg-e concept--but cuts off sharply behind the rear wheels.
The company says it signals a "contemporary design vision for a compact Infiniti vehicle which will target a new generation of premium customers". Translated, Infiniti is essentially looking to enter a market it hasn't previously frequented, and aims to steal sales from the Germans by offering its own stylish take on the luxury hatch. The Nissan-owned marque also says it's "not a coupe, not a hatch and not a crossover but a fusion of the three body styles", the subtext of which is "it's basically a hatchback".
Infiniti hasn't revealed what will power the Q30 Concept yet, but expect a suitably forward-thinking powertrain to rival the best efforts of its production rivals. More images and details should emerge before its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 10.
For more from the show, head over to our Frankfurt Auto Show page, or check out our green car preview.
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