Japan’s Evoque? It’s the Infiniti QX30

It wouldn't be a modern motor show without a new Infiniti concept car straight from the outlandish pages of a designer's sketchbook, but we're inclined to pay its 2015 Geneva show's representative, the QX30, a moderate bit of notice.

Why? Well, it feels as though if Infiniti's ever going to crack this car-selling game, the QX30 could be the car to set the ball rolling. Not only does this one actually looks half-decent, but it's also bang on the money for what's selling right now. Posh-roaders ahoy.

The QX30, Infiniti has confirmed, will go into production in the next couple of years, looking much the same as it does here. Fine by us - the creases and curves and jowly mouth hang together much more happily on this stocky crossover than, say, the Q70 saloon. Check out the faired-in tailpipes and zig-zag C-pillar for detail touches too.

If the Evoque's proved anything, it's that style sells, and while the Infiniti still lacks a modicum of badge cachet, at least the crayon department appear to be on the right track.

Underneath, the QX30 will be based on the Infiniti Q30 - another concept that hasn't yet morphed into a showroom model you can actually, y'know, drive. Or buy. When the Q30 family hatch does arrive, it'll be good news for British jobs, as Nissan's committed to build the car at its Sunderland plant, where the Leaf and Juke are also born.

Thanks to Infiniti's tie-up with Daimler, the QX30 is to the Q30 what Mercedes' own GLA is to the A-class - a taller, crossover-bodied version of an ordinary family hatch drivetrain. Infiniti freely admits this is no mud-plugger - the QX30 is aiming for ‘a higher visual perspective in city traffic and in parking manoeuvres' and ‘dealing with bad weather, poor road conditions or urban traffic'. So, it's a bit taller than normal and works in the wet. Jolly good.

For a concept car, the QX30's cabin is refreshingly low on balderdash and piffle too, boasting Normal Car features like a dashboard, a recognisable steering wheel and dubious brown leather.

While most of Infiniti's models look to China and the US to fill the company coffers, the QX30 will need to make big strides in Europe too, where small, trendy city-SUVs continue to boss the sales charts. That said, you'll be waiting until at least 2017 if you fancy a real one - the QX30 is behind the Q30 hatch and Q60 coupe in Infiniti's production queue - so don't go chopping in that Audi Q3 or BMW X1 just yet.