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Nissan IMs concept revealed: High-set sedan hits Detroit

Futuristic show car gets funky seating layout and augmented reality connected features.


Nissan has revealed the IMs concept at the 2019 Detroit motor show, a high-riding electric sedan which could preview a new design direction for the Japanese brand.

Dubbed as a "study in duality and contrast", the IMs concept claims to be in a segment of its own as an "elevated sports sedan".

Power comes from a 115kWh lithium-ion battery pack hooked up to a 360kW/800Nm dual-motor electric drivetrain with all-wheel drive. Nissan claims the IMs can drive approximately 600 kilometres on a single charge.

Thanks to the floor-mounted batteries and lack of internal combustion engine, the Nissan IMs has freed up heaps of space in the cabin to the point where the company has gotten creative with the seat layout – 2+1+2.

Accessible via suicide-style doors, occupants up front can pivot the seats around in a meeting-style setup , while the rear bench can be a traditional three-across seat or a single 'Premier Seat' by folding the two slim outboard pews for armchair-like accommodation.

“Advances in electric vehicle technology and autonomous driving have allowed our designers to break free of the platform and packaging rules that constrain traditional passenger vehicles, to create a completely new type of car,” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president for design at Nissan.

As for the outside, the IMs' body is dominated by straight lines both horizontal and vertical, and employs a floating roof that "[takes] advantage of the new body proportions' forward A-pillar and extended C-pillar locations.

Up front there's a futuristic interpretation of Nissan's V-motion front grille, though it's less of a grille and more of a fascia using the headlights and running lights to demonstrate the signature design.

Filling the arches are massive 22-inch alloy wheels, which combine with the swoopy exterior to create coupe-like proportions.

Rounding out the exterior touches is a geometric graphic inspired by a traditional Japanese pattern called 'Asanoha', which has been applied in gold across the IMs' smoked glass roof. Gold also features on the alloy wheels (above) and the roofline accent.

The various exterior light units also change colours depending on the drive mode chosen. For example, when the IMs is in autonomous driving mode, the headlights and rear combination lights turn blue and blinks continuously at the front and rear to notify pedestrians and other road users of its status.

Speaking of technology, the IMs is equipped with several next-generation systems including an 'Invisible to Visible' three-dimensional interface that can help drivers see around corners, visualise information about traffic jams, even create a virtual 'passenger' to keep you company during your journey.

Click on the images for the full gallery

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