GMS 2019 | IMQ: crossing into a new era
First unveiled as a concept car at the 2004 Geneva Motor Show, the Nissan Qashqai has become the gold standard for crossover vehicles. With innovation at its core, it has redefined people's notion of the family car. It has blended the agility, footprint and drivability of a hatchback with the versatility and practicality of SUV in a way that caught global attention.
Some 15 years later, Nissan's commitment to the crossover class it created remains unchanged. And once again, the 2019 Geneva Motor Show – the largest and most prestigious of its kind in Europe – provided the perfect platform for the world debut of the Nissan IMQ Concept. The latest chapter in the Nissan Intelligent Mobility vision for how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society, the IMQ uses advanced technology – such as the award-winning e-POWER drivetrain – and bold design to signal the start of a new era of Nissan crossovers in Europe.
Tough exterior
Blending Japanese heritage with state-of-the-art technology focused on helping the driver, the IMQ brings the future to life. When Nissan designed the original Qashqai concept back in 2004, the phrase used to focus the team's thoughts was 'urban nomad'.
Fast forward to 2019 and the IMQ shares this nomadic quality but fuses it with a robustness that's ready for any future – no matter how uncertain. It's tough but sleek exterior is made from glass, carbon fibre and metal, acting as a protective shield for the welcoming and luminous cabin within.
Dressed in a warm metallic grey, the body of the car is complemented by electric blue flakes on the surface. By using this design, the IMQ is able to change colour depending on how light falls on it, creating the illusion of movement to the passer-by. The sketch below (shared with the world's media days before the actual concept was revealed at Geneva show) speaks to this momentum, with a vehicle that looks like it is already on the move.
Warm interior
Worked on for almost a year by the team at the London studios of Nissan Design Europe, the IMQ follows the Japanese principle of "Ma&" (structural harmony) that allows the exterior and interior to become as one. Stepping inside, the sculpted seats are finished in two-tone 3D fabric, laser-cut in a geometric design inspired by Japanese 'Kumiko' woodwork.
The IMQ is packed with clever Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology, including Invisible-to-Visible (I2V). This spots obstacles and helps the driver find the next available parking space, while a virtual assistant uses a 3D interface to connect them with family and friends.
With the IMQ hinting at the Nissan's design direction for its third generation of crossover vehicles in Europe, Nissan customers could be driving a vehicle as futuristic as this very soon. As for how the car is powered – well that's another story…
e-POWER
In the face of significant environmental challenges, the transition to cleaner power sources that use electric motors – in hybrid or full electric vehicle (EV) form – is non-negotiable. Taking its cues from the Japanese market where e-POWER has helped make the Nissan Note the country's best-selling car, Nissan used the Geneva Motor Show 2019 to confirm this innovative drivetrain will be part of the European portfolio by 2022.
Combining 100% electric motor drive with a petrol engine that charges the battery, e-POWER gives drivers instant, smooth acceleration and excellent fuel efficiency. Building on Nissan's EV leadership in the region – where the Nissan LEAF remains the best-selling electric car – e-POWER will be among a suite of new technologies coming to Nissan's best-selling vehicles in Europe in the coming three years. It will help accelerate us towards full EV and a greener, cleaner and more sustainable motoring landscape.
Today, where more people trust their employer and business to do the right thing than government , the automotive sector has a responsibility to change for the good.
Concepts like the IMQ demonstrate Nissan's intention to design and build vehicles that have a place in a brighter future, using technology to aid the driver and the society around them. Now is the time to take action and embrace a new era of Intelligent Mobility.
1https://www.edelman.com/trust-barometer