Nissan IMX

Electric SUV suggests production model is in pipeline

IMX revealed at Tokyo show

Promises range of 373 miles

NISSAN has signalled its intention to launch a fully electric SUV by unveiling the IMX concept at the Tokyo Motor Show.

Revealed alongside the Leaf Nismo concept, the IMX is said to offer a glimpse into the future of Nissan’s Intelligent Mobility; that means how it sees cars integrating with society in the years ahead.

The IMX sits on the same EV platform as the new Leaf, but Nissan says it features a re-engineered high-capacity battery for a claimed range of up to 373 miles. Two electric motors, one mounted on each axle to offer four-wheel drive, generate 429bhp and 700Nm of torque. No other performance figures have been issued.

The IMX also features a look at the future of Nissan’s PROPILOT driver assistance system, which allows it to operate autonomously. The cabin has a retractable steering wheel and seats that fully recline. A full-length OLED display has replaced the dash, and drivers can control the instruments via eye movements and hand gestures.

Nissan says the IMX is able to drop occupants off at an airport, drive itself to a car park and connect to the grid to recharge. Once the owner has returned, the car will set off autonomously and collect them. The production version is likely to feature toneddown styling, but Nissan’s V-motion grille is visible at the front of the IMX, while the absence of a B-pillar has allowed rearhinged back doors to be fitted.

Nissan has invested over $5.4bn (£4.1bn) into developing electric cars such as the Leaf, with European EV boss Gareth Dunsmore hinting that a smaller supermini EV could appear at some point.

In other news, Nissan has suspended production across its Japanese plants due to a series of unauthorised inspection tests. Around 34,000 cars will be recalled, although no UK models are affected.