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Infiniti Q30 prototype spotted winter testing

Infiniti is the latest luxury automaker preparing to join the premium hatchback segment, and after seeing a prototype wrapped in garbage bags undergoing warm-weather testing earlier last month, we're now looking at another test mule running in the snow. Previewed in concept form at the Frankfurt Motor Show over a year ago, the Infiniti Q30 is set to share its platform with the Mercedes GLA – with which it obviously shares its proportions, but from which it will be distinguished with unique styling with trademark Infiniti design cues. It's still hard to tell much from the spy shots (heavily camouflaged as is the prototype), but their emergence at least tells us that development is continuing apace. We wouldn't take too much stock in the Volvo V60 tailing it, though: automakers often benchmark the competition, but the Q30 will more directly compete with the next V40, along with the likes of the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and (maybe to a lesser extent) the Lexus CT 200h. Expect power to come from the same 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine used in the GLA and its stablemates as well. Production is slated to take place simultaneously in Decherd, TN, and in Sunderland, England, at Nissan Motor Manufacturing UK – one of the largest assembly plants in Europe. A QX30 crossover version better suited to rougher roads is slated to follow as well.

Cadillac snags de Nysschen from Infiniti, names him new president

Johan de Nysschen, the (now former) president of Infiniti, has officially jumped ship. The 54-year-old, who also spent time as the chief executive for Audi USA, has taken the position of president at Cadillac, following a two-year stint at the Nissan-owned luxury brand. In his new role, the 54-year-old will be responsible "for all aspects of Cadillac globally," according to a statement from General Motors.
"Johan brings to our company vast experience in the development and proper execution of luxury automotive brands," said GM President Dan Ammann, de Nysschen's new boss. "With over 20 years in this exact space, especially in the development of the Audi brand, his track record proves he is the perfect executive to lead Cadillac for the long term."
"I have for some time now been impressed by how the new General Motors has been transformed into a formidable force in the industry," de Nysschen said in a statement. "The combination of strong corporate leadership and exceptional engineering resources presents the perfect combination to restore Cadillac to its place among global premium brands."

Infiniti Q30 goes full monty before Frankfurt

Infiniti is finally tearing off the camouflage and showing the world what the Q30 luxury hatchback actually looks like. Set to make a full debut Frankfurt Motor Show on September 15, the five-door marks the entry of the Japanese premium brand into the compact hatch ranks. The company's designers did a fantastic job of bringing the major elements from 2013's concept to the street, though. Like the earlier design, the production Q30 wears Infiniti's rounded rectangle grille and a chrome strip along the edge of the hood. The headlights are also left squinting from the concept. The only major change to the front end is an adjustment to the lower air dam to make it a little more realistic for production. Sadly, Infiniti is only providing this single front three-quarters perspective on the upcoming five-door for now, but check out the C-pillar in the background to spot the similarly pointed design there, as well. The changes are actually more noticeable when comparing the Q30 with its platform-mate, the QX30 compact crossover concept. The hatchback noticeably softens many of the CUVs swoopy lines to be a bit more mainstream. This is especially true along the front where the big air intakes from the QX are made significantly smaller. Production of the Q30 is slated to start in Sunderland, England, by the end of the year. They should actually arrive in showrooms there before the calendar runs out. Still, we're looking forward to Frankfurt for a more complete view of Infiniti's little luxury hatchback. Related Video: INFINITI Q30 PREMIUM ACTIVE COMPACT SET FOR FRANKFURT IAA 2015 PREMIERE Daring, expressive design meets advanced ride and handling performance Category-breaking Q30 faithful to 2013 concept car World premiere for global media September 15th at Frankfurt Motor Show Hong Kong – The first ever Infiniti Q30 Premium Active Compact is ready for its world premiere at the International Frankfurt Motor Show in September this year. Featuring Infiniti's iconic design language, the all-new Q30 represents a category-breaking vehicle concept developed for customers seeking urban individuality. Its dynamic drive characteristics provide for Infiniti-typical confident and responsive performance as well as excellent ride and handling. Crafted trims and expressive interiors extend the striking design approach from the exterior into the passenger cabin.