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Infiniti cribs new US boss from Porsche

Just weeks before he was supposed to become CEO of Porsche Cars Australia, Infiniti has apparently offered Porsche COO and Executive Vice President Michael Bartsch a deal he couldn't refuse. Thus, Bartsch has join the company as Vice President of Infiniti Americas, the luxury marque's top North American post. Bartsch replaces Ben Poore, who has been with the automaker since 2008, having led both a 22-percent sales surge in 2012 and the brand's current sales slough, Automotive News reports.
Bartsch, Porsche's No. 2 US executive, has held the COO and Executive Vice President positions at Porsche since 2005 and was scheduled to become CEO of Porsche's Oz division on September 1. Infiniti has experienced a number of recent personnel changes in the past week: it named Vincent Gillet, formerly an executive for Starwood Hotels & Resorts, to lead its marketing efforts worldwide and Simon Cox, a former designer for automakers including Ford and Peugeot, to head a new design studio in London.
Poore reportedly will pursue other interests outside of the auto industry. Read more about the personnel change in the press release below.

Infiniti Qs Inspiration shows itself before Auto Shanghai

Infiniti's shown off a bit of the Qs Inspiration concept before debuting the creased contrivance at Auto Shanghai next week. The concept serves a few purposes, the first to reimagine a future for sports sedans on a planet of crossovers and SUVs. The result blends a fastback with high sides that connect low ground clearance below and an elevated seating position above. The Japanese luxury maker is all about sedans, the Qs Inspiration signaling how a carmaker watching the bottom line can maintain its interest in the passe bodystyle. The concept previews a production model, and perhaps the design language and lingo we'll see spreading through the range. We're not sure how the low floor and higher roof work out in the cabin, but Infiniti mentions a "low-mounted powertrain and potent e-AWD system." That's undoubtedly the promise of the "all-new flexible architecture developed to accommodate high-performance electrified powertrains." Production-izing for a non-electric version would mean laying in a grille for the ICE, but an electrified version would have plenty of room for batteries and e-motors. Before that retail model, it's possible we'll see Qs Inspiration cues on the Q50 and Q70 sedans. Take a long gander at the profile and the way the roof slopes, and you'll notice an elongated GT-R glasshouse profile. On top of that, before Infiniti released official photos, a few images leaked from China showing other angles of the concept. The rectangular steering wheel and massive digital dash cluster probably aren't going anywhere beyond Shanghai, but if Infiniti can bring that glass roof to production, that's a win in our book.

Infiniti QX30 Concept is... a mountain lion that stings?

According to Alfonso Albaisa, Executive Design Director at Infiniti, "The Q30 Concept was like a panther, lithe and slender. We transformed the QX30 Concept into a mountain lion, strong and muscular." He added, "With its higher stance and edgier design to match its tough capabilities, you can almost visualize how the QX30 Concept floats like a butterfly and stings like a bee." We're not quite sure that it looks like a mountain lion or whether it buzzes and stings, but it's definitely more aggressive than the Q30 Concept that it shares a good deal of underlying structure with, and that seems appropriate. We also think it stands apart as different than the cars it will compete against, like the Audi Q3, BMW X1, Mercedes-Benz GLA, Lexus NX and Buick Encore, which is a good thing, considering that those models have a solid head-start in the burgeoning premium compact crossover segment in which the QX30 will play. Power in this conceptual crossover comes from a 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder, and a seven-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels, but Infiniti is quick to say that the QX30 will boast "a wide range of powertrains," so perhaps a hybrid or diesel could join the fray in some markets. We'll have to wait and see, but Infiniti says the QX30 is "earmarked for production" in 2016. Feel free to read more in the press release below, but not before scrolling through our high-res gallery of live images from Geneva, above. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Stylish and Capable: Infiniti QX30 Concept debuts in Geneva – Infiniti's precursor to a premium compact crossover – Sharp design, rugged looks and command sitting make QX30 Concept the ideal urban explorer – Hints at a full range of powertrains to suit every need Hong Kong/Geneva – Infiniti has revealed the stylish and highly capable QX30 Concept, the design vision that will inspire a new premium compact crossover. Making its debut at the 2015 Geneva International Motor Show, the QX30 Concept cements Infiniti's ambitions to expand into the global premium compact segment, which is forecast for significant growth with the entry of younger affluent customers. Combining the sleek lines of the coupe with the command sitting and all-wheel drive of a crossover, the QX30 Concept is just as adept at navigating high street as it is exploring weekend getaways.