Hot on the heels of the IMS, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show in January, Nissan is prepping another trade show darling. The Japanese automaker recently announced plans to unveil its new IMQ Concept at next week’s Geneva Motor Show.
Unfortunately, the teaser image accompanying the release is of the dreaded Hot Wheels variety.
While automotive mockups frequently possess what this author politely calls “dramatic flair,” the monster-truck sized tires on the IMQ are little more than a distraction. The body is clearly in line with most of the concepts we’ve seen coming out of Nissan recently — edgy, angular, and gray.
Unless the company secretly hopes to hit it big with donk enthusiasts, it’s also very clearly a crossover. We’re betting this is the high-riding version of the IMS (obnoxiously styled as “IMs” by the manufacturer). Expect Nissan to say the IMQ has a 115-kWh battery pack, quite a bit of power, all-wheel drive, and an unrealistic — but not impossible — maximum range. Unlike the rendering, the physical car should also have a taller roof and wheels with a circumference smaller than the moon.
The automaker claims the IMQ is a glimpse into “the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility,” so it should also come with the IMS’ multi-tiered infotainment displays and some promise of autonomy. Assuming that happens, it’s better not to dwell on it. The real story here is design, and how the shape of the brand’s latest batch of concepts will inform future product — possibly an entire EV sub-brand.
If you’re a morning person, you can watch the unveiling on March 5th at 6:15 a.m. (ET) on Nissan’s Global YouTube channel. Otherwise the IMQ should be on display to the public at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show on March 7th.
[Image: Nissan]
Next joke, please.
I flew a Cessna for the first time the other day. I thought it would be exciting, but it was actually a little plane
I guess you drive it by sitting on top and pushing on the ground with your feet? That picture is so awful it took several tries (blinking away tears of laughter between attempts) to notice that it has no doors. Actual size is about 4 ft long?
I noticed no windows and wondered if it was a drone package delivery version of a little red wagon.
Guys, it’s a roller skate. You just can’t see the opening at the top, given the angle.
But seriously whomever decided that Infiniti and Lexus were going to be the styling benchmarks for the current generation of cars has done the industry a grave disservice.
Doors! We don need no stinking doors!
Its the new Nissan Magi-Metal! As you approach the car, it recognizes your DNA and the metal phases into another plane of existence, allowing you to slide right through to the front seat.
Yes, this technology is right around the corner.
It’s almost as bad as the names they’ve been giving these things.
The word “Donk” came about from the Impala insignia resembling a Donkey. I actually got up close to a 78 Chevy Impala that was “Donked”..Certainly nothing I would want to own, but I was impressed with the quality of workmanship that was involved.
Dumb.
I guess the absence of Gsohn is getting on their last nerve over at Nissan.
Well, I suppose it’s better than that unholy lifted Z-car concept they did before.
This WTF does not improve my opinion of Nissan.
Decerebrated, obscenely swollen body. Just needs tats to be a hit with the kids.
Call it the Chumlee.
It looks like a Triumph TR-7 if it had evolved into a CUV.
Here’s the inspiration:
https://www.littletikes.com/item/648861/slammin-racers-muscle-car/1.html
The new Mad Max Camaro.
Let’s make some gross generalizations about the particular individual who did this digital rendering:
– They consider themselves a technological expert because they consistently keep their phone charged most days
– They have never been beyond the lobby of a vehicle assembly plant
– They do not own a screwdriver
– Their skin has never made contact with motor oil
– They have never parallel parked any vehicle, ever
– They have not touched an infant car seat, since they were in an infant car seat
– They have no acquaintances over the age of 50
But most importantly:
– Not one pixel of their rendering will be subject to review or feedback, by anyone else at the company
Someday, somewhere an automotive company will stumble upon the iterative design process… maybe.
You gotta make lots more comments here.
This just makes me hate the future more than I already do.