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Infiniti Q30: Striking design for compact luxury (pictures)

Infiniti's newest model, the Q30, employs strong design cues in a compact luxury car, and adds a hatchback for utility.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Wayne Cunningham
2016 Infiniti Q30
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FRANKFURT -- The all-new Infiniti Q30 leads with a grille comporting with Infiniti's current styling language, but takes its design forward from there.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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The grille connects to the headlight casings, which nestle in rising fender lines, a style seen on the earlier Infiniti G37.

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Heavily curved and contoured lines down the sides emphasize the organic.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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A kink in the rear pillar accommodates the tapering roofline.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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The new Q30 is a bold design for Infiniti that gives the company a completely new car -- and market.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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The Q30 is a compact four-door hatchback, but with luxury trimmings.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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Although the Q30 gets LED running lights, the headlights remain conventional.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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A multi-link rear suspension and front MacPherson struts should lead to a capable, comfortable ride.

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Although a number of engines will be offered in International markets, including diesels, the US version will come with only a turbocharged 2-liter engine making 208 horsepower.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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Strong design features such as this kinked rear pillar give the Q30 a distinctive look.

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At 13 cubic feet with the seats up, the cargo area is about typical for a hatchback.

2016 Infiniti Q30
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Infiniti gives the Q30 an upscale interior to help differentiate it from economy hatchbacks.

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Even the rear seats benefit from quality materials.

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An electric power-steering system adjusts its response depending on speed.

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The automatic transmission for the Q30 is an intriguing seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual, which should help fuel economy.

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This dial and buttons assembly controls infotainment on the car's dashboard LCD.

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A simple icon-based menu leads to navigation, audio and other functions.

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Maps from the navigation system look good and load quickly.

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This surround-view camera system is a feature not commonly found in this compact segment.

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