"Wobbles the Mind" (wobblesthemind)
12/30/2015 at 00:02 • Filed to: Infiniti | 1 | 10 |
Infiniti realized that the QX30 and Q30 were the same car and that the US only recognizes SUVs and, *sigh*...“sporty” styled vehicles. Therefore, the US will get a QX30 AWD (former QX30), a lowered version called the QX30 (former Q30), and a lowered version of the lowered version called the QX30 S (formerly Q30 S).
Anyhowdydoodle, this means there is an opportunity for the US to now receive a Q30 that isn’t the GLA made all melty. Infiniti is working with Mercedes and there happens to be a small hatchback known as the A-class runnin’ about. This little hatch would be too far down market for Mercedes to bring over. It also lacks a crossover designation and a roofline that defeats practicality, because in the US, success is spelled E-X-C-E-S-S.
Luckily every Mercedes shortcoming is a tallgoing for Infiniti and a chance to market their own version of the A-class and of course the A45 AMG. Infiniti needs the low entry price point regardless of body style. Oh! Is that an AWD, +350hp Infiniti Q30 IPL hatch?Well I guess that might tolerable.
d15b
> Wobbles the Mind
12/30/2015 at 00:21 | 0 |
Is this a thing or speculation?
Wobbles the Mind
> d15b
12/30/2015 at 00:25 | 1 |
The Q30 nameplate not coming to the US is a thing (though we are still getting the models). The Infiniti A-class based Q30 is my fantasy. A logical one though!
Alex Zapata
> Wobbles the Mind
12/30/2015 at 01:25 | 2 |
Yet not so, the Q30 is going to the US market, they’re just putting an X in the middle there for unity’s sake, so it would be very illogical to market two very similar cars at similar price points, not to mention the fact that the alliance between Daimler and Nissan-Renault exclusively pertains to small turbo engines and the Smart-Twingo platform and manufacturing, both parties being adamant that these is as far as they will go as they clash with the market identities of both brands, running the risk of Infiniti becoming known as “budget Mercedes” would be disastrous for Nissan and Mercedes getting too associated with Nissan would be dumb too, if you actually go to a dealer and mention the Juke and A/CLA/GLA sharing the engine, the sales person will go on a rant on how different they are and the stricter standards Mercedes puts to the powerplants put on Merc Cars, for instance.
Also the A-Class is design and quality-wise a very far far distance from what Infiniti is used to marketing, they would have to literally re-design it from scratch for it to be Asian and melt-y enough for Infiniti, and while the 45 AMG engine would be a fun and quick way for Infiniti to get a performance car, I think it will be a cold day in hell the day a Nissan product bares an engine built in Affalterbach, or any other non-AMG brand (other than Aston, and that’s weird enough as it is)
ranwhenparked
> Wobbles the Mind
12/30/2015 at 01:25 | 1 |
This might actually trick people into buying an ordinary hatchback, thinking they’re getting a crossover.
If Infiniti can pull this off, imagine the possibilities at other automakers. -no, no, that’s not a Chrysler 300 Wagon, its a Chrysler 300X crossover vehicle, totally different story, this one’s socially acceptable to buy, because it has an “X” on the tailgate.
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Alex Zapata
12/30/2015 at 02:27 | 0 |
Don’t forget Pagani.
Textured Soy Protein
> Wobbles the Mind
12/30/2015 at 02:29 | 1 |
The A-class isn’t too downmarket for the US. Mercedes is doing the same thing as Infiniti, avoiding selling the hatchback one here because Americans hate hatchbacks, but love slightly taller hatchbacks with vague crossover connotations. Just make sure to call it a crossover and not a hatchback!
CALUSA
> Wobbles the Mind
12/30/2015 at 04:46 | 0 |
Here it is.
Don’t think they will ever use AMG stuff, but who knows!
Wobbles the Mind
> Alex Zapata
12/30/2015 at 06:43 | 0 |
All true and I had the same thoughts! The 2.0l drops the Q50 entry price to where it needs to be, and the QX30 allows the QX50 to be moved up market (probably about $2,000). The strategy for the US is well executed, Infiniti and Mercedes-Benz are both set and looking good!
I simply think Toyota is brilliant and should be emulated. Make a deal to distribute a model that another manufacturer builds but has no reason to bring to the US due to having better options within their lineup. Mercedes gets some cash for the A-class and Infiniti gets a sub-$30,000 vehicle to get people into the brand (whether young or retiring). They could target the higher end of the MINI Cooper niche. No money or time in R&D or manufacturing for a vehicle that won’t be a hit, but it will be available. Just saying the Q30 nameplate is available and they already have the platform and engine. There is an opportunity to Mazda2-Scion iA-Yaris that thing for 3 years.
Like I said though, completely agree, I just enjoy looking underneath every rock in the hopes of finding a key. No matter how silly.
Alex Zapata
> AMGtech - now with more recalls!
12/30/2015 at 12:07 | 0 |
The V12s are not being made in Affalterbach anymore, they have been moved to a regular Daimler production facility and will continue to be made under the “One man, One engine” phylosophy but will not be made in the AMG plant anymore, the people that used to work in V12s will be reassigned to increase production of V8s in Affalterbach
AMGtech - now with more recalls!
> Alex Zapata
12/30/2015 at 16:17 | 0 |
True, but I was looking at it from a brand standpoint. It’s still an AMG engine. The M133 in the A/CLA/GLA45 isn’t built in Affalterbach either.