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Nissan IMQ concept revealed

Latest design study from the Japanese brand takes the form of a sporty crossover with e-Power range-extended hybrid technology and a focus on the driving experience.


Nissan has revealed its sharp IMQ concept at the 2019 Geneva motor show, claimed to blend "Japanese heritage with state-of-the-art, human-centric technology".

Like the IMs and IMx concepts before it, the IMQ previews what Nissan's future models could look like, in a world where autonomy and electrification dominate the automotive landscape.

However, unlike those all-electric show cars, the IMQ features an e-Power range-extended hybrid system which is driven only by electric motors though with a petrol engine charging the battery pack.

A 'multi-motor' electric all-wheel drive system drives both axles, with peak outputs rated at 250kW and 700Nm. Nissan doesn't quote any performance figures, though we'd expect the IMQ to be rather brisk.

Charging the battery pack (of undisclosed capacity) is a 1.5-litre turbocharged petrol engine.

Measuring 4558mm long, 1940mm wide and 1560mm tall, the IMQ is a little shorter and a bit wider than the current X-Trail – though it's strictly a four seater.

The exterior design itself is quite angular and muscular, incorporating a futuristic interpretation of Nissan's trademark V-motion grille, and 'boomerang' light units front and rear.

In saying that, we're getting a bit of Lexus NX/RX in the headlight arrangement and Lexus LC at the rear – let us know in the comments if you agree.

Filling the arches are massive 22-inch alloy wheels that are wrapped in bespoke Bridgestone Connect 'smart' tyres that communicate with the driver through the vehicle's interactive cabin interface. Information displayed includes tyre load, pressure, temperature, grip levels, wear and health.

Access to the cabin is granted by suicide doors, much like the IMs and IMx, opening up the futuristic and minimalistic interior.

There are four individual seats inside, and up front there's a 'gliding wing' dashboard design incorporating an 840mm display. The centre console also 'emerges' from the floor and stretches through to the second row.

Each seat is trimmed in a dual-tone 3D technical fabric, with a geometric design laser-cut into the bolsters – the latter is said to be inspired by Japanese kumiko woodwork.

That pattern also features on the dashboard, doors, and parcel shelf, along with the metallic finish of the seat back.

As for tech, the IMQ is equipped with Nissan's Invisible-to-Visible (I2V) system that uses augmented reality to project a 3D interface ahead of the driver to blend the real and virtual worlds.

The company says I2V helps drives to 'see' around corners, visualise information about traffic jams, and determine alternative routes. To achieve this, the vehicle uses its 'Omni-Sensing' technologies to detect real-world information and combines this with information from the virtual world for a "rich mixed-reality experience".

Further to the enhanced information available to the driver, the vehicle can even project a virtual passenger into the car using 3D augmented reality.

It wouldn't be a Nissan concept without a suite of ProPilot autonomous technologies, either. The IMQ features an array of sensors, radars and cameras that allow it to 'assist' drivers during urban and highway commutes, while also interpreting road, traffic and information signals.

“The IMQ’s design combines traditional and modern Japanese influences and shows what’s possible when future crossovers are powered by Nissan Intelligent Mobility,”said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president for design at Nissan.

"With the IMQ, the interior and exterior are seamlessly blended together, signaling what our design direction may be for Nissan’s third generation of crossovers in Europe.”

Given Nissan repeatedly refers to the IMQ as a 'European crossover' in its press release, it's possible the IMQ could preview a future Qashqai – which is the company's most popular model in the region.

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