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Another Infiniti Q30 image found ahead of Frankfurt debut

Infiniti will introduce the new Q30, its smallest vehicle ever and its first foray into the compact, premium hatchback segment, next month at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show. The company confirmed the debut when it issued a single image of the new car last month. Now, we have a second shot. Released by the Twitter account of Infiniti's British outfit, the new shot is part of the #Q30Challenges campaign, which asks users to pick an object they'd like to reinvent. It shows the stylish hatch in the same bronzish-brown hue featured in the first image, but gives us a very wide front three-quarters view. We can see Infiniti's trademark C-pillar treatment, as well as a pair of wavy character lines. The shot also provides an especially good view of the Q30's long hood. The Q30 enters a segment that's nothing if not competitive, even here in the United States where small cars are a relatively recent phenomenon from premium automakers. Audi offers its A3, BMW is in the game with its 2 Series, Mercedes has its CLA and GLA and Lexus competes with the long-running CT 200h. The Q30 will be part of a two-pronged attack that will also include a QX30 crossover. We'll have a whole heap of additional information and images of the all-new Q30 when it makes its global debut next month in Germany. Stay tuned.

Assessing Sebastian Vettel's first 100 days as Infiniti's director of performance

Whenever a new US president is elected, we know to expect a performance review as soon as he (or she) has spent 100 days in office. Sebastian Vettel, arguably given a job that is more important to Infiniti than the US president, has been the brand's director of performance for one hundred revolutions of The Blue Marble, and Infiniti has put together a videographic glimpse of his work at Paul Ricard, in the US and England.
We probably won't really get a grip on the full results of his efforts for a while - we doubt that he's been in his post long enough to significantly alter the trajectory of the Q50 sedan, for instance. But then again, Infiniti insists he's been integral to the car's dynamics development regime, suggesting he's been working as a test driver for some time before these 100 days. Of course, Vettel is a race car driver and brand ambassador first and foremost, but when he tells a Q50 engineer that "For the future, I think it's more comfortable to have the shift paddles on the steering wheel," we get the sense that he won't hesitate to suggest changes in forthcoming products. Check out more of his inputs in the video below as well as a press release detailing his visit to the tech center in Cranfield, UK.

Formula 1 seeking independent engine supplier

Formula 1 could get a new engine supplier in the near future, if Bernie Ecclestone and the independent teams gets their way. According to Autosport, the FIA is soon to open the contract up for bids, and there are already several manufacturers that have expressed interest. Currently Mercedes, Ferrari, Renault, and Honda supply engines – both to their own premier teams (Red Bull and McLaren for the latter two) but also to other teams like Williams, Sauber, and Toro Rosso. Because the new turbocharged V6 hybrid power units cost those four suppliers so much to develop, they're charging their customer teams big bucks – around $20-30 million per season – to provide the engines. These costs are much higher than the $10 million or so it used to cost to purchase a V8 engine under the previous regulations. Ecclestone figures it's time to bring in another supplier who will not run their own team and not play favorites, but will supply engines to private teams at a lower cost. There are already a number of potential suppliers under consideration. One of them is said to be Cosworth, which has a long history in the series stretching back to 1963. The British firm stepped back between 2007 and 2009, returned in 2010, and dropped out again after 2013. The development could be of particular benefit to Red Bull, which has been unable to find an engine supplier and could be forced out of the series as a result. The team has long been powered by Renault, but that relationship has grown sour. And the other three engine manufacturers have not been forthcoming in offering an alternative arrangement for the team. Related Video: News Source: AutosportImage Credit: Cosworth Motorsports Ferrari Honda Infiniti McLaren Mercedes-Benz Renault F1 engine contract