New Infiniti QX30 crossover previewed ahead of Geneva show

The Infiniti QX30 compact crossover will make its world debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

Due to appear at the Geneva show in thinly-veiled concept form, Infiniti says the model previews "a new premium compact crossover targeted at a new generation of premium customers".

Nissan's luxury marque says the new model will "reignite the premium compact segment," and will offer "the sleek lines of a coupé with the rugged looks and commanding seating position of a crossover."

Test mules for the QX30 have already been spotted testing, as Infiniti concentrates on making sure its new model can take on the likes of the BMW X1 and Audi Q3. Target customers for the new model "are searching for a product to suit their urban week and getaway weekend," says Infiniti.

The sister car to the upcoming Q30 hatchback – which is due to arrive this autumn – the QX30 is based on the same platform and will be built at Nissan’s Sunderland facility.

The two models use a tweaked version of the front-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz A/B-Class platform. They are expected to use Infiniti-tuned versions of Mercedes’ four-cylinder turbocharged petrol and diesel engines. A Haldex-based all-wheel drive system will be optional.

Explaining why Infiniti needed to get a foothold in the premium compact car market, the firm’s European boss François Goupil de Bouillé, said: “Fifty per cent of premium car sales in the EU are in the C-segment… which means targeting the Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series and so on. The [European premium] market is not an open door, so we have to offer something different.”

Goupil de Bouillé said the Q30 and QX30 will also be exported to North America. “We expect to sell around 60,000 of the two models in the first full year, with 30,000 sold in Europe,” he said.