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Infiniti QX30 Concept is ready to join the compact crossover fray

Today, the compact crossover market is an automotive Klondike. Automakers are scrambling to stake their claim on an increasingly segmented, increasingly valuable landscape. That's especially true in the premium market, where every Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX and Buick Encore sold takes up a piece of market share that requires a great deal of effort for another automaker, in this case Infiniti, to reclaim. That makes the new QX30 Concept, debuting this week at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show, an extremely important vehicle for the Nissan-owned brand. The QX30 Concept has already been "earmarked for production" and will be launched next year, according to Infiniti. When that happens, we'll see a compact CUV with toned down styling from the vehicle shown here, much like the upcoming Q30 production model. It's fair to say the looks of the QX30 are in direct opposition to those of the aforementioned Lexus NX. Where that car is sharp and angular, Infiniti's designers emphasized the "spontaneous and fluid" look of the new concept. Infiniti's most recent, Q50-inspired design language works nicely in a compact CUV form factor. The double-arch grille and its flanking headlights give the QX30 a refined, almost predatory look. That, as it turns out, is intentional. "The Q30 Concept was like a panther, lithe and slender. We transformed the QX30 Concept into a mountain lion, strong and muscular," Infiniti's Executive Design Director Alfonso Albaisa said in a statement. The strong, wavy character lines in the profile lead into the short, chopped rear overhangs. Above the beltline, the rear window is raked forward aggressively, lending the QX30 a coupe-like profile. In the cabin, we can already see the makings of a production car's interior, with two strong material choices – dark brown and blue leather – highlighting the dash. On the concept, purple accent lighting is emitted from the center stack's controls, while the violet shade carries over into what looks like a digital instrument cluster and the speaker surrounds in the doors. Sections of quilted leather on the seats, meanwhile, look very nice, but we doubt they will make it to production on what is ultimately going to be a reasonably priced vehicle.

Infiniti QX Inspiration fails to drive onstage at Detroit Auto Show reveal

Update: The concept car has made it to the stage, and is spinning on its dais. "Ladies and gentleman, the Infiniti QX Inspiration. It's here, but you can't see it," were the words spoken on the Infiniti stage as the new electric concept crossover's promo video ended. That's right, on Infiniti's 30th anniversary of existence — the brand was launched here in Detroit — its big reveal was never actually revealed at the Infiniti press conference. "It's a concept car," Nissan said lamentingly. Yes, it most certainly is a finicky concept car. We walked out of the hall to see the QX Inspiration sitting, with its hood up, unmoving with Infiniti folk milling around it. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. The press conference itself went on without the vehicle, though it was a bit anticlimactic without it. Pre-written lines were read, detailing small bits here and there that nobody managed to see. However, we were determined to see the car, and managed a short glimpse before being told to move along and wait for it to (eventually) make it onto the stage for photos. Check out all the details in our post that went up as Infiniti revealed all the details of the car, minus the actual vehicle. The design is quite striking, with a heavy Japanese tilt both inside and out. Once Infiniti gets it out there (we'll update when they do) we'll have shots of it from the swiveling dais it was meant to grace during the "official" reveal. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Related video: Detroit Auto Show Infiniti Concept Cars Electric Luxury 2019 detroit auto show

2014 Infiniti Q50, Lexus IS 250 fail to achieve Consumer Reports 'Recommended' rating

Infiniti and Lexus might be a little concerned now that both of their new luxury sedans, the Q50 and IS250, were unable to net Consumer Reports vaunted "Recommended" rating during their first year on the market. In fact, not only did the two fail to earn a "Recommended" rating, they finished behind the vast majority of the competition after testing, including the BMW 328i, Mercedes-Benz C250, Lincoln MKZ and Volvo S60 T5.
The Q50 managed to snag a "Very Good" rating overall, but CR criticized it's road manners for not being as thrilling as the car it (sort of) replaces, the G37. The mag called the handling mundane and the steering dull, while also remarking on the poor controls. According to CR, the interior quality is "nothing special." Shade was also thrown at the Q50's reportedly poor ride.
Compared to the IS, though, the Q50 got off easy. CR called it "neither sporty nor luxurious," while criticizing the 2.5-liter V6's lack of oomph and poor fuel economy. The mag then went on to lambaste the IS's handling, steering, interior, cabin space and infotainment system.