When it comes to company cars, so far Japanese maker Infiniti has been something of a bit-part player. That’s all about to change though, with the introduction of the new Infiniti Q30, which is hoping to steal fleet sales away from the venerable Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and even the Mercedes-Benz A-Class.
There’s actually a good deal of the Mercedes underneath the Q30’s svelte skin, with a platform developed from the Mercedes GLA and an interior that borrows some of that car’s components. In fact, you’ll notice some similarities when it comes to drivetrains as well.
Private buyers might be swayed by the petrol-powered models, but for fleet users it’s the diesels that prove particularly appealing. In fact, for those looking to save as much money per month as possible, the SE 1.5-litre diesel with 108bhp and 260Nm of torque delivers a healthy set of numbers – with a claimed combined economy of 72.4mpg and CO2 emissions of 103g/km.
Those more concerned with power and performance have another diesel to choose from, the 2.1-litre four-cylinder originally found in Mercedes’ products developing 168bhp, 350Nm of torque and returning 55.4mpg. The price paid is with the 133g/km of the AWD seven-speed dual-clutch automatic model – front wheel drive six-speed manuals are also available.
The Q30 will certainly stand out in the carpark too, with a look that develops the firm’s signature design language further, and Sport models benefit from a bespoke grille and bumper arrangement to help distinguish them from SE and Premium trims.
Talking of which you can select from three design trims to personalise the interior; City Black uses black upholstery with purple stitching, Café Teak mixes brown and black materials and Gallery White uses red accents on white leather.
Prices are yet to be confirmed, but whatever they are that last figure means you’ll benefit from a low monthly BIK rate of 18 percent for the 1.5-litre diesel this year, and just 17 percent in 2016. And because Infiniti is a brand built on the ethos of value for money, you’ll not likely need to add much in the way of options to ensure you enjoy a comfortable and well-equipped car.
