Saturday 04 / May / 2024
You see opportunity. If something doesn’t exist, you create it. This is exactly what luxury automotive giant Infiniti just did. They created a vehicle that redefines premium compact segment that pushes boldly past the conventional boundaries of design. Yes, the Infiniti Q30 is in town. It’s a car that is uniquely styled and competent enough to prove a decent alternative to the premium brands in the market.
When Infiniti Q30 was first debuted to the region at the Dubai International Motor Show last year it was met with widespread critical acclaim and it was with much fanfare, Suhail Bahwan Automobiles, the official dealers of Infiniti in Oman, launched the Q30 early this month.
Crossovers, we know continue to crowd showrooms across the country, but few have styling as distinctive as the Q30. The car is a fresh start in some respects but it hasn’t completely shied away from the existing Infiniti guidelines.
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The double-arch grille with 3D mesh, for example, has grown from the Q50, with a more fluid movement into the headlamps. The dramatic curves and turbulent lines flow up the bonnet, over the fenders and across the body line into the strong shoulder of the car.
It has a sweeping roofline and a high beltline which makes the cabin feel small – but that’s the price for fashion.
The signature C-pillar arcs forward in a dynamic crescent shape that emphasises motion, even when stationary.
The contrast of the long, low-slung roof-line, conjuring an image of a rakish shooting brake in silhouette, and elevated stance adds to the visual impact.
This also adds to a sleek look that gives the impression of the car being in motion even when standing still. The balance of sculptural shapes moving past one another creates a harmonious design that can be appreciated at a glance.
The Q30 looks breathtaking from inside the moment you open the door. It has a shape that flows naturally in beautiful asymmetry which creates an inviting interior that is fresh and unique.
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From the driver’s seat, the intersecting curves of the interior are refreshingly dynamic.
The cabin inside is quite attractive and it features a 7.0-inch touch-screen infotainment screen which is a highlight of the car. After you connect your compatible Smartphone, Infiniti InTouch brings your world into your car, allowing you to read e-mails, or text, listen to your playlist, navigate unfamiliar streets or call your friends.
On the technology front, the Q30 delivers in spades as the best equipped with the highest level of assistive technology in the segment. This includes ‘Around View Monitor’ with ‘Moving Object Detection’, ‘Intelligent Parking Assist’, ‘Forward Collision Warning’ with ‘Forward Emergency Braking’, and ‘Blind Sport Warning.’
A first for Infiniti and this category, the Intelligent Parking Assist is designed to work in the three most common parking situations, tight parallel parking, 90 degree backing-in and heading-in parking. Using 12 sensors in the front and rear, the system automatically steers the vehicle into place with the additional help or audio and visual warnings whilst the driver controls the brake and accelerator.
The Q30 has a 208-hp 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder which drives the front or all four wheels through a seven speed automatic and this makes the Q30 fun to drive.
The Q30’s redeeming feature when it comes to the driving experience is its smooth ride — in fact, it’s one of the most comfortable cars in its class — which makes it feel effortless.
The engine is strong enough to take the car in just 7.3 seconds from 0 to 100kph.
The Q30 is available in both 1.6L and 2.0L turbo variants in a 2WD configuration. The 2.0L is also offered with an optional AWD drive-train.
Overall, the Q30 is sure to impress the new generation of buyers in Oman as it offers a complete technology package that augments the car’s driving experience while providing supreme safety to all passengers.
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Tech specs:
• Infiniti Q30, 2.0litre Premium
• Engine: 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine
• Displacement in cc: 1,991cc
• Kw/hp & torque in Nm: 208hp@5,500rpm
• Transmission: 7-speed dual clutch transmission (DCT)
• Fuel consumption: 1/100km: 6.0
• 0-100 km/h: 7.3 seconds
