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At
this year’s 62nd Frankfurt Motor
Show, Nissan will be showing an
all new concept car, a one-off
show car based on an existing
model and a heavily revised
production car.
The Mixim concept car is a
compact vehicle for young
drivers who are mostly engaged
by their computer and the world
via the internet. The driver
sits centrally, with two seats
either side, while the steering
wheel and controls are inspired
by the interfaces so familiar to
computer gamers.
Powered by Nissan’s ‘Super
Motor’ electric motor/generator
and using compact lithium-ion
batteries, Mixim has unusually
rapid performance combined with
a usefully extended range. One
Super Motor powers the front
axle and a second drives the
rear axle, giving Mixim
all-wheel drive.
Mixim takes the most up-to-date
electric vehicle (EV) technology
and clothes it in a svelte and
distinctive coupé shape. Its
wraparound windscreen, inspired
by the visor of a crash helmet,
dominates the profile while the
swept back windscreen, flowing
roofline and sharply truncated
rear hints at sporting
performance unexpected from an
electric vehicle.
Diamond-shaped styling cues
feature inside and out, notably
on the twin air intakes to the
rear of the doors and the front
LED driving lights, while an
upper triangular side window
links the gentle slope of the
roof with the dramatic angular
slash that runs through the
centre of the doors. The rear
hatch opens to reveal a large
trunk area behind the three
seats. An occasional fourth seat
is also housed behind the front
seat module.
Sitting on a 2530mm wheelbase,
Mixim is 3700mm long, 1800mm
wide and 1400mm high, the Mixim
is shorter and lower than Micra,
though slightly wider. It weighs
just 950kg.
Despite being a concept car with
no guarantee of being turned
into a series production model,
Mixim’s development is in line
with the Nissan Green Program,
the company’s publicly stated
desire to create a more
sustainable mobile society. |