Report: Infiniti to sign off on BMW 1 Series competitor design next month

Volvo has already teased its upcoming BMW 1 Series and Audi A3 competitor. But it seems like another automaker is planning to compete in the segment – Infiniti. Reports suggest that Infiniti’s compact sports car will hit the markets sometime in 2014.

Insiders say that Infiniti will sign off on the design of the car as early as next month. Besides the Infiniti Etherea Concept, there are two other design concepts being looked at.

Now word on whether the Etherea name will be carried over to the production model but insiders suggest that the Japanese automaker is looking at a hybrid powertrain. While that may upset many, don’t forget what Infiniti has done with the M35h Hybrid.

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The model could be based on a front-wheel-drive platform that will be provided by Mercedes-Benz – the same platform that will underpin the upcoming A-Class.

– By: Omar Rana

Source: AutoWeek