Without any warning, Nissan has dropped two rear-wheel-drive concepts at the Tokyo Motor Show. The instant response has been so overwhelmingly positive for the IDx Freeflow (brown) and IDx Nismo (white), there is a strong chance they will make production. Although the nods to the Datsun 510 are clear, the concepts were in fact styled with input from 100 youngsters born after 1990, that the carmaker call ‘digital natives.’ Nissan says engaging with future consumers is essential for market success, especially in Japan where kids affinity for cars is on the decline.
If built, the Freeflow would come powered by its 1.2- and 1.5-liter engines mated to a CVT box. Inside, the cabin is influenced by a white T-shirt and khaki chinos, comes with an elegant steering wheel and aluminum switchgear and dials.
Sitting half-a-meter wide, the Nismo is a lot sportier with carbon-fiber panels, a side exhaust, 19-inch alloys and bolt-on wheel arch extensions. Power would come from Nissan’s DIG-T 1.6-liter turbo gasoline unit paired with a CVT. The concepts also carry a host of accessories that give customers food for thought in jazzing up their cars. While the IDx concepts are officially strictly show cars, Nissan insiders suggest the Japanese carmaker is strongly considering a compact coupe, and with an enthusiastic reception this is the form it could follow.
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