[butterfield]

Infiniti just released a shot of the upcoming Q30 CUV that will be debuting at Frankfurt in September. The Q30 should be the first true competitor to the GLA considering the two will be sharing a chassis and possibly sharing engines.

I think that Infiniti has one of the most beautiful design languages in the game right now, the Q30 really looks to of built off the Q50s elegant shape. obviously there will be tweeks before the Q30 sees the inside of a showroom, but they should be few and far between much as the GLA stayed relatively true to its concept.

What do you guys think, patience to wait for the Q30?

 

[carbonfiber]

Both nice cars. I will be comparing the features, pricing, and interior.

I like the styling of that Q30.

 

[butterfield]

Both nice cars. I will be comparing the features, pricing, and interior.

I like the styling of that Q30.

There aren't any spec or option info available on the Q30 yet, but we do know it will share engines, chassis and an assembly line with the GLA. Looking at other Infinitis vs Mercedes' its fair to assume that the Q30 will come in ~4-5k cheaper than the GLA as well as providing more standard features. I recommend checking out the wizard gizmos Infiniti jammed the Q50 full of for an idea of what type of features the Q30 could receive.

Although I will give Mercedes the edge for interior finish...

 

[Adolini]

I like them both but who will not say the same since they share identical parts. You'd get a better deal with the Q30 but won;t have the signature looks of a mercedes because...

 

[AMGz]

the Q30 is just ugly, i rather spend my money on the GLA. not really a fan of MB sharing a platform with Infiniti, but it is what it is.

 

[Cocles]

I'm curious if their crash ratings will differ despite being on the same platform. Possibly not, but it'll be interesting if they do.

 

[carbonfiber]

Since the GLA and Q30 will share similar platforms I would assume the GLA will be the more expensive variant.

 

[Adolini]

the Q30 is just ugly, i rather spend my money on the GLA. not really a fan of MB sharing a platform with Infiniti, but it is what it is.

the Q30 is somewhat of an acquired taste and the styling is faster than its time.

 

[A.T.L.]

the Q30 is somewhat of an acquired taste and the styling is faster than its time.

It's a love it or hate it thing.

At least infiniti has learned to come up with designs that keep the car ahead of it's time.

 

[butterfield]

GLA and Q30 are expected to be built eventually at the new Aguascalientes plant in Mexico that will be coming online shortly. The GLA will initially be built in Rastatt, Germany before shifting to Mexico after its redesign in 2018.

And confirming the commingling:

"To my knowledge, the Q30 and the GLA share some components," Mercedes-Benz North America spokesman Christian Bokich (Reuters)

The Q30 will likely be built in two locations, Mexico to service the U.S market and Sunderland, U.K to service Europe. Its possible GLA could even see production in Sunderland alongside Q30.

My curiosity wonders though what effect the shift to Mexican production will have. First of all it will give Mercedes a boost in the profit margin on each GLA, German workers are much more expensive than their Mexican counterparts.

Second I wonder if we will see any differences in build quality, I know the Lincoln MKZ suffered dearly during its launch because of poor quality control at Ford's Mexican manufacturing facility. MKZs were beeing shipped to Michigan for assembly but already the launch was torpedoed by a lack of cars on dealer lots...

 

[Truthiness]

Now that I know these two vehicles will be manufactured in the same plant, I am seeing them as so similar. The exteriors at least seem very similar. Interiors will be different, but they two vehicles will be more the same than they are different, for sure.

 

[4-matic]

Now that I know these two vehicles will be manufactured in the same plant, I am seeing them as so similar. The exteriors at least seem very similar. Interiors will be different, but they two vehicles will be more the same than they are different, for sure.

Yeah i see it too, i see the similarities but at the same time they are unique vehicles although they share the same platform.

Anyone not aware they share the same platform wouldn't be able to make the connection

 

[carbonfiber]

the shape is similar but the panels and interior do look different. lights are different. they are different cars. just sharing the same platform really.

 

[Frayzer]

that is what my thought was too just the platform structure will be shared but everything else would be different. I am sure both parties agreed to that.

 

[DRMCHSR]

the shape is similar but the panels and interior do look different. lights are different. they are different cars. just sharing the same platform really.

Even the exterior shape is different and unique. Yes both of the front ends have this arch to them that stretches out quite a bit and a sloping roof but if you look at say the pillars, you can see how different they are. Same goes for the side profile, window shapes... A LOT!