We are with the Infiniti Q30.
I guess that most of you know the Infiniti.
But Q30 is a brand new model for all of us.
Let me tell you briefly what Infiniti and also Q30 are.
The Infiniti is the premium brand the Nissan manufactures for the American market.
In other words, you can think this as the tie between the Toyota and the Lexus.
The same as you see applies to the Infiniti too.
Recently the Infiniti has entered the European market and initially with the SUV’s called EX and FX, played a part in these markets.
But it couldn’t grow into too much assertion.
Now, the Infiniti, with the new Q30 model, enters the compact Premium hatchback class for the first time and thinks of increasing its sales.
Let’s see what kind of specialty the Q30 offers.
Come on let’s start analyzing all together.
The design of the Q30 is very similar to the other Infiniti models
The curled body we are accustomed in the Infiniti shows itself clearly in the Q30 as well.
When we look at the car from the front, the big grill, the big Infiniti logo in its center,
the curly bumper with chromium frame and lighting group with LED technology day lights makes it look very remarkable.
Frankly, from the start of the test, the people in the cars and the pedestrians keep looking at the Q30 attentively.
I can say that the car is very attention grabbing.
When we look from the side, the curled design consciousness is apparent here too.
The crease that starts here from the top of the bonnet and continues through the door declines a bit and later comes towards the rear and disappears here.
The doors are curly and the foothold under the bumper that appears non-existent at the front
but with expanding structure towards the rear, make a great display for the side view.
The zigzag metal piece on the C column of the Q30 has similar design as the grill and in my opinion definitely adds motion perception to the profile.
Before telling you about the rear, I would like to mention briefly where in reality Q30 came from and what kind of model it is.
I don’t know if you liken its form to a familiar model but I think Q30 looks very much like the Mercedes GLA.
As a matter of fact, we can say that they carry the same DNA because Q30 has been developed on the platform that the Mercedes uses for A; B; CLA and GLA series.
I will tell you this any way when driving and when we are in the interior but as design sense I believe that this car looks a lot like GLA especially from the rear.
Naturally, as always with the Infiniti’s own touches to change it to an altogether different form.
From the rear, Q30 with this projecting bumper and characteristic taillights virtually screams that it is an Infinity.
The two exhaust outlets with chromium frame under the bumper definitely added esthetic to the design of the car.
Under the boot lid of the Q30, 368 liters loading capacity is offered.
This means that it is a bit larger than A series but a bit smaller than the GLA.
Since there is no spare tire in this car, there is a small area under the loading surface as well.
You can put your articles here too.
Further don’t think what you will do if you have a flat because there is a compressor and repair kit here.
The loading bay is definitely wider than the A series and in this sense I can say that the boot is in a position to satisfy the class expectations to the full extent.
Lets see how it is in here.
Firstly, I should say that the interior is a bit dark because the upholstery is black and there is no sunroof here.
But in all the Q30’s imported to our country the sunroof is offered as standard.
As this car is from one of the first orders unfortunately that option is not here.
The knee room is not bad namely, in an extent to satisfy the expectation of this class.
Of course, I can say that it is very narrow after the Mercedes E Class test I have done last week but it definitely shouldn’t be evaluated like that.
We appraise every car according to its class.
When we consider the headroom, again we find headroom that is in a level with the Compact Premium Hatchback class.
An adult can sit here without any bother.
But it is hard to say the same thing for the adult that will sit in the mid seat because the place to put his bottom and to position his shoulders is not very wide
and due to this high transmission hump I can say that they will not be very comfortable here.
When you come here, you start to think if you are driving Infiniti or Mercedes
because even before you press the starter you realise how like Mercedes the key looks but I will touch upon all the details about these during drive.
Now lets take the road, and move to the test drive.
Come on.
I am behind the steering wheel of the Infiniti Q30.
Just as I have said a while ago, as soon as you sit behind the steering wheel, you feel as if you are driving a Mercedes.
And this increases as you keep on driving this car.
Not only by looks or due to materials used but the Q30 exceedingly resembles Mercedes models by its driving features.
I will come to the driving features soon.
At the moment I shall mention a bit the details about the interior.
The most apparent bits used jointly with the Mercedes are, instrument panel, steering wheel, buttons on the steering wheel,
signal at the left of the steering wheel and cruse control arm under it, the controls under music system and A/C controls under it and all the buttons for window controls.
All have been taken from the Mercedes and integrated to the Q30.
The gear lever contrary to be on the steering column as in the Mercedes is positioned in the accustomed place
and with a design resembling python head please the eye and fit to the hand well and is managed easily.
Certainly there will be some who will remember this gear selection part from the Mercedes’s other AMG models too.
Naturally, even though the parts used are common, the designers of Infiniti have done everything in their power to stylemark this car and actually have succeeded.
As a matter of fact, I am comparing this car too much with the Mercedes, as I know other Mercedes models very well and therefore am able to do it.
If you have not driven a Mercedes before or have not been inside the Mercedes models I have mentioned, to realize the similarities is indeed not very easy.
The quality of the materials used in the interior is high.
The top of the console is covered with leather.
The plastic next to it has been preferred soft.
Further, the part under is covered with alkantara and Infiniti’s famous violet stiches have also been used here.
I can say that the Q30 is a bit ungenerous about small item cubicles.
Here under hand there are two cup-holders and in the lidded armrest behind it an area to put few of your articles has been offered.
The touch screen multimedia, positioned in the center of the mid console is not hard to use but it is hard to say that it is user friendly.
In other words, consequently as the Infiniti has taken so many parts from the Mercedes, unfortunately you say, if only they have taken the software of the screen too.
In the end, after saying that the interior of the Infiniti Q30 is high quality and comfortable, I think it is time now to consider the engine and the driving features.
Under the bonnet of the Q30 I have been driving is 1.5 liters turbo charge diesel engine that Renault Nissan partnership have developed and
Renault as well as Nissan and Mercedes models used.
This engine develops 109 HP and 260 Nm of torque and is offered in the Q30 with 7-speed double clutch automatic gearbox.
Naturally, engine being developed by the Renault Nissan partnership generates some questions in our mind.
In my judgment, don’t get the idea that why should you pay so much just to purchase a Renault engine
because this engine is really very successful with performance features and frugal specialty and definitely deserves praise.
And be assured that if this engine was not very successful, a firm like Mercedes would not have taken this engine and put it under the bonnet of their cars.
Apart from the 1.5 liters diesel engine, you are able to buy the Infiniti Q30 with 1.6 liters and 2.0 liters petrol engine alternatives.
These engines too have been taken from the racks of the Mercedes and have been integrated under the bonnets of the Q30.
As you can purchase the 1.5 liters and 1.6 liters engines only as front wheel drive, 2.0 liters petrol engine can be bought as 4-wheel drive.
This 1.5 liters diesel engine does not fly the Q30 but I can say that you get reasonable performance.
It satisfies the expectations all the way.
You don’t feel any lack in the city speeds.
On the highways you easily reach high speeds if you are patient but you must know that it is not very lively and attack.
The engine and the 7-speed double clutch gearbox work in harmony.
But in the city sometimes in going up and down the hill it waits a bit too long to increase the gear.
Apart from that it has no deficiency.
If you wish, you are able to intervene the gearbox from the pedals behind the steering wheel.
As for driving features, I don’t think it is much different than the Mercedes GLA.
To tell the truth, I felt as if I am driving Mercedes GLA during the whole test.
With its high siting position, as well as soft and sensitive steering, control elements, and suspension comfort, I really can say that it resembles the GLA very much.
But the Q30 has one plus to the GLA and that its suspension comfort is a click better.
The high profile tires on 18 inches wheel rims may have an effect or the possibility that the suspensions may have been softened
but I have to say that especially on rough surfaces the Q30 is very comfortable.
By the way, the Q30 is also assertive in the matter of insulation because you almost never hear the road or wind noise.
Naturally, the sound of the diesel engine especially at high revs can be heard a bit but apart from that the interior is quiet and peaceful.
As for road handling for me there was no deficiency.
As I have mentioned the steering is sensitive and the car holds the road well.
It responds fast to your guidance wishes and therefore you advance safely with the Q30.
Finally, let us consider the fuel consumption of the Q30.
I have been driving this car for a few days and have covered 190 km.
At the moment the trip computer indicates to me 6.9 liters fuel consumption averages.
When you think that more than half of the distance covered was in the city, this value in my opinion is very good.
As it indicates 6.1 liters for the 75 km I have covered since morning shows that this engine has economic potential.
In other words, if you are a calm driving person, you can easily travel with 6-7 liters easily.
We all know that there is no accounting for taste, but I can easily say that I have liked the design of the Infiniti Q30 very much.
You can leave your views about the car’s design under the video.
The car’s driving dynamics and driving comfort is not bad at all.
It satisfies the expectations very well.
But for buying, then the price becomes effective.
Even though it is positioned as Compact Premium Hatchback, the price is nearer the Compact Premium Crossover class
because Audi A3, BMW 1 series and Mercedes A Class starts from 110.000-120.000 TL. depending on diesel and automatic alternatives.
On the other hand the Compact Premium Crossovers have 140.000- 160.000 TL price tag.
This car has very near price as its main rival Mercedes GLA that shares the same DNA.
Therefore it is clear that it will not too much chance.
But if we have to make a general valuation, the Infiniti was selling with high cylinder engines in our country up to now, and unfortunately did not have much chance.
But Infiniti by Q30 with small volume petrol and diesel engine looks like it may increase its chances.
See you.