“The way people are buying cars is changing. A choice of colors and matching wheels is no longer enough. In a society where cars are purchased as a reflection – and enabler – of a driver’s lifestyle, the way future models are designed needs to be revolutionized.” These are the words behind the revolutionary new Nissan IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO concept cars.
Look at the IDx NISMO Concept. Seriously, do it. Now picture yourself driving it. Can you feel the blood pumping through your veins? The thrill of the ride? The roar of the engine? This car all but screams AUTOBAHN! In fact, I’m a little out of breath just looking at it.
Deep breath…
Designed for and in conjunction with the 1990s generation, the ‘digital natives’ as Nissan calls them, the IDx range is a fresh start in the relationship between Nissan and its customers. Nissan actively engaged with digital natives for ideas, insights and feedback throughout the design process of the IDx range, meaning that this car represents the outlook and desires of the next driving generation. But enough about the designers and on to the design!
The IDx Freeflow is designed for the those “who seek natural and tasteful things in every aspect of their daily lives.” What that means is that this is one hell of a beautiful car. Seriously beautiful. The IDx Freeflow’s flowing lines and “floating roof”, a seamless rounded roof shape, already look like a fortune in traffic fines. And at only 13.5 feet in length, 5.6 wide and 4.3 high, this could be the next must have pocket rocket… Until you see the engine. Granted everybody seems to want great fuel economy and a car that runs on fumes, but the 1.2- or 1.5-liter might not be zippy enough for drivers despite being mated to a CVT.
That’s where the IDx NISMO comes in. Looking like a cross between retro racers, racing games and a bucket full of cool, the NISMO is wider than its Freeflow cousin and has 19” wheels to the Freeflow’s 18”. “This machine’s soul-stirring design echoes the racing car imagery of the past united with the buzz digital natives get from the virtual world they know well,” said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer of Nissan. Yes, Shiro, this is one hell of a soul stirrer. To power this beauty Nissan’s engineers plan on using “a high-performance, eco-friendly 1.6-liter direct-injection turbocharged engine, together with a sporty CVT with 6-speed manual shift mode and synchronized rev control.” Honestly, I’m more than willing to plant trees every day of my life if they throw a SR20DET engine in it. Hell, find a way to put a SR20VET engine in it and I’ll plant a rain forest.
Both of these beauties were just unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show in the USA and fingers crossed, bribes given and a lot of prayers made and we might see this go from a concept to a production and on that day I’ll see you in the line to buy one.
