Submitted 7/5/2010 by Thomas DeFresart

Infiniti doesn’t want to be left out of the premium compact hatch segment, and has reportedly began work on an upscale hatchback for the competitive European market. The hatchback, if built, would compete directly with the upcoming Lexus CT200h hybrid, and the established Audi A3 and Citroen DS3.

The car will be based off the Essence concept, and will be a hatchback with the look of a coupe. The new compact, if built, will not be the same as the Infiniti electric vehicle that CEO Carlos Ghosn announced at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, but will be an additional model in the lineup.

Infiniti has not yet revealed what platform or engine would be used for the new hatch, but parent company Nissan has many front-wheel drive platforms and engines to choose from, and it’s not likely the hatch would receive new hardware.

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