Not a lot of people know this, but concept cars have a career if you will. From the time of the first rendering to the last motor show showing, this is usually about a year, after which most end up in a warehouse or museum. Towards the very end of its shelf life, Nissan decided to do something a little different to the IDx: bring it to California and let the car review people check it out.
When Jay Leno was asked by Nissan to feature the IDx, he instantly thought of the Datsun 510, a long time favorite on his show. Fast, fun and frugal in one car – that hasn't been done in a very long time. But maybe, just maybe, it's coming back.
Together with the concept, Nissan also sent over a well dressed creative design manager, Giovanni Arroba, who kindly explains that this is not a production car was built purely for show, which of course Nissan actually hopes is not true. Arroba brushes off at least one potentially revealing question when Jay asks about the rumor that IDx is Roman numerals for 510, a hint that this is designed to be a potential comeback model.
But before we go off telling old wive's tales about about what is or is not a real production car, let's look at the facts. Two IDx concepts were revealed last year. Named the Freeflow and the Nismo, they're basically the same shape, though the latter is more radical.
The IDx Freeflow, which is not shown in this video, is designed around the basic urban mobility for young buyers, the enigmatic Gen-Y buyers which nobody seems to find. It's being envisioned with gasoline engines ranging between 1.2 and 1.5 liters. The more hardcore red and black Nismo has got bulging fenders and serves up a big dose of 1.6 turbo power.
Both are about 4.1 meters in length, about 13 feet, which makes Nissan's potential sportscar shorter even than the Toyobaru. Although we have anxieties about a sportscar with Nissan's CVT gearbox, the sexy retro lines give us hope for the future.
If you think we're talking nonsense, maybe Leno can do a better job at selling Nissan wive's tales!
Mihnea's favorite cars have already been built, the so-called modern classics from the '80s and '90s. He also loves local car culture from all over the world, so don't be surprised to see him getting excited about weird Japanese imports, low-rider VWs out of Germany, replicas from Russia or LS swaps down in Florida. Full profile
Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?
Google News