DETROIT – The Nissan IMs, unveiled today at the 2019 North American International Auto Show, is a completely new type of car – an “elevated sports sedan” that takes advantage of the packaging, platform and powertrain technology developed through Nissan Intelligent Mobility.

While closer to a sedan than a crossover, the IMs concept’s revolutionary proportions create a vehicle segment all of its own. It is defined by its pure electric-vehicle identity, with the battery located under the body, elevating cabin height. Its stretched interior space, a result of the vehicle’s extended wheelbase, features unique “2+1+2” seating architecture with pivoting front seats and a rear seat that either offers three-across seating, or, once the slim rear outboard seats are folded, an indulgent “Premier Seat” in the rear center, worthy of world-class executive travel.

“Advances in electric vehicle technology and autonomous driving have allowed our designers to break free of the platform and packaging rules that constrain traditional passenger vehicles, to create a completely new type of car,” said Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice president for design at Nissan. “The IMs explores the limits of sedan design with an approach that elevates the category in both look and functionality.”

Design influenced by Nissan Intelligent Mobility

The powerful exterior and interior design of the IMs is made possible by the innovative electric and autonomous technology developed through Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society.

The IMs is a study in duality and contrast. In autonomous driving mode, it features completely hands-free operation, whereas in manual driving mode, it delivers the exciting, high-performance driving experience that only an advanced electric vehicle can provide.

The IMs also possesses the highest levels of safety technology and virtual world connectivity – all wrapped in an alluring package that highlights modern Japanese design and craftsmanship.

Electric, autonomous and connectivity breakthroughs

Fully embracing the three pillars of Nissan Intelligent Mobility – Intelligent Driving, Intelligent Power and Intelligent Integration – the IMs moves toward the creation of a sustainable mobile society centered around electric vehicles, autonomous driving and connectivity.

The IMs’ electric powertrain consists of dual electric motors (front and rear) and a fast charging 115 kWh battery that generates 483 horsepower (360 kW) and 590 lb-ft (800 Nm) of torque, ensuring that the concept car will not only keep up with modern-day sports sedans but leave most of them in the dust. Capable of traveling an estimated 380 miles on a single charge, the IMs is on the same playing field with its gasoline-powered counterparts in terms of range.

The powertrain utilizes a high-performance all-wheel-drive system, resulting in an ideal front/rear weight balance, exceptional traction and excellent cornering performance in nearly any conditions. Thanks to an advanced air suspension that adapts to different driving situations, the IMs provides a silky-smooth ride and flat cornering characteristics.

Sleek, sexy, seamless exterior design

The IMs concept’s exterior exemplifies Nissan’s new “elevated sports sedan” design language, which transforms a traditional sedan into a vehicle with provocative proportions, sporty character and excellent aerodynamics. Unique to Nissan, it seamlessly marries futuristic high-tech qualities with timeless Japanese accents.

The IMs exterior form is characterized by simple horizontal and vertical lines rather than sculpted surfaces. It forgoes Nissan’s signature “floating roof” theme to take advantage of the new body proportions’ forward A-pillar and extended C-pillar locations. The sleek shape isn’t just sporty; it also results in a low drag coefficient. Additionally, various body panels, including the fenders, front spoiler, rocker panels and a full-length undertray, provide effective downforce and minimal lift at high speeds.

The roofline was inspired by the shape of the moon, with the gold-colored anodized brushed aluminum roof rail accents suggesting the ring of moonlight created by an eclipse. The vehicle’s unique proportions – defined by its long wheelbase and waistline, cabin-forward A-pillars and sloped rear-window angle – give the vehicle a pure, simple silhouette.

“We looked at Nissan’s heritage and realized that some of our most successful models, such as the first-generation Murano and our Z® cars, all had very simple silhouettes,” said Albaisa. “With simplicity of design, the perceived quality is also naturally improved.”

Nissan’s signature V-motion design language, incorporated throughout the 2019 Nissan model lineup, is emphasized on the IMs’ grille-less front fascia through the shape and placement of the headlamps. The bold, thin V-shaped lighting design is both prominent and practical, giving the vehicle a futuristic yet distinctively Nissan look, while aggressive 22-inch wheels add to its sporty attitude.

In autonomous driving mode, the IMs’ headlights and rear combination light turn blue and the lighting blinks continuously on the center of the front and rear to notify pedestrians and other drivers of its autonomous status.

The exterior also features deep door sections, a three-dimensional section hood, holographic rear tail lamps, an integrated rear spoiler and a kicked-up rear bumper. The B-pillar 4-door body includes reverse-opening rear doors for easy interior access, a super-thin roof structure, invisible door handles with eClinch, super-flush side windows and wing cameras in place of outside rearview mirrors. The wing cameras fold in when the IMs is in autonomous mode.

To emphasize the car’s Japanese character, a geometric graphic inspired from a traditional Japanese pattern called Asanoha has been applied in gold over the IMs’ smoked glass roof surface. The pattern is used throughout the vehicle, including on the wheels and inside the cabin.

Interior design reflects timeless Japanese futurism

The interior of the IMs represents a new way of visualizing how commuters will travel in an autonomously driven world. To help express the cabin’s spaciousness, the designers created a visual separation of the body and greenhouse. Putting a priority on the vehicle’s interior space, all powertrain components have been tucked away under the cabin floor.

“With the raised, flat-bottom platform and absence of interior restrictions, there’s a sense of almost levitating, as if you’re riding on a magic carpet,” said Albaisa.

In contrast to the space-age character of the exterior, the IMs’ interior draws its inspiration from a modern Japanese home. In what Nissan designers call “timeless Japanese futurism,” the cabin combines modern Japanese elements, highlighted by examples of high-level craftsmanship, with a high-tech expression. For example, the shapes of the instrument panel and door trim reflect “a spaceship to the moon,” with the use of dark fabrics and colors animated with light streaks suggesting moonlight and shadow. The colors and materials set an intimate mood that can be animated with light around the occupants.

In manual driving mode, the IMs’ interior becomes a driver-centric cockpit with advanced driver-assistance technology and multi-level information displays, giving the driver full vehicle control. The vehicle’s complex, interconnected components, sensor outputs and control units are all integrated into a simple interface. For example, the super-thin, two-layer floating instrument-panel screen offers both technical information and a visual exploration of the world around the vehicle when desired.

In autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel retracts and the front seats pivot inward to face the innovative rear seating arrangement, characterized by the special “Premier Seat.”

“There is no center console, so when the front seats are turned, the interior becomes an enjoyable, relaxing ‘grand area’ where the occupants can engage with each other in a comfortable way,” said Albaisa. “And the unique rear center seating allows the primary passenger to enjoy the vehicle’s intelligent connectivity features at all times, whether the driver is in autonomous or manual mode operation.”

A seamless, simple graphic user interface

Completing the IMs’ sense of duality is the advanced graphic user interface. In manual driving mode, the interface is both flexible for upgrades and simple in design, including a minimal number of switches and controls.

The interface’s design and logic, combined with full autonomous driving technology, allows the driver to fully experience the high level of performance provided by the IMs’ all-wheel-drive electric powertrain.

The large, thin instrument panel with four compact screens follows a horizontal information architecture that enhances the interior space. The layout has been fine-tuned to follow the natural movements of the eye. Directly in front of the driver, unobstructed by the retractable steering wheel, is a “layered” instrument cluster, in which the primary layer provides only critical information to let the driver focus on operating the vehicle without unnecessary distractions. The second layer offers additional information when needed.

Another key feature, the “interior sensing platform,” uses sensors and cameras to monitor the driver’s condition. It interprets facial expressions and body posture to determine if the driver is unable to continue driving. Active in both manual and autonomous drive modes, the platform will bring the IMs to a safe, controlled stop if the driver is incapacitated.

Invisible-to-Visible: Merging real and virtual worlds

Further enhancing the IMs is its unique connection to the virtual world, which Nissan calls Invisible-to-Visible, or I2V. It refers to a 3-D interface where the real world converges with the virtual world. A platform developed by Nissan, I2V helps vehicle occupants see what may otherwise be “invisible,” adding confidence and excitement to the vehicle experience.

The opportunity to “see the invisible” is made possible with Omni-Sensing technology, recently announced by Nissan at the CES trade show. The IMs is connected to real-world sensing information, which is gathered and reflected from the virtual world, and displayed before the driver and passenger’s eyes for a rich mixed-reality experience. People will also be able to connect with each other through the virtual world and Omni-Sensing.

For example, the technology can help drivers see the around corners, visualize precise information about traffic jams – including causes – and determine alternative routes for a stress-free journey. Drivers may even enjoy the company of a “passenger” from the virtual world in the form of a three-dimensional augmented-reality avatar inside the car.

Ready for launch

The Nissan IMs is an advanced study in progressive proportions, resulting in an entirely new type of vehicle – the elevated sports sedan. With its sleek exterior and a warm, cavernous cabin, the IMs offers a fresh kind of driving experience – manually, autonomously and virtually.

“We’ve created a sporty performance vehicle that is equally inspiring and enjoyable in manual and autonomous driving modes,” said Albaisa. “Thanks to the technology of Nissan Intelligent Mobility and the incredible insight of our designers, the IMs truly represents the next stage in sustainable mobility.”

Nissan IMs concept key dimensions and specifications

The Nissan IMs concept, with its revolutionary new proportions and stretched interior space – including a unique “Premier Seat” 2 + 1 + 2 seating architecture – is designed to create an entirely new vehicle segment, the elevated sports sedan.

The pure electric all-wheel drive concept vehicle with full autonomous drive capability, made its world debut today at the 2019 North American International Auto Show. It will be on public display throughout the show’s run, January 19 – 27, at Detroit’s Cobo Center.

Nissan IMs Concept

“This bold Nissan IMs concept represents the birth of an entirely new segment of vehicle – an elevated, electrified sports sedan,” said Denis Le Vot, senior vice president, chairman of Management Committee, Nissan North America, Inc., during a press conference revealing the IMs concept. “It makes sense that the first automaker to bring the world a mass-market EV would bring you the future of the electric high-performance sports sedan.”

Le Vot also announced that following last week’s debut of the longer range 2019 Nissan LEAF e+ at the Consumer Electronics Show, Nissan will launch an additional seven electric vehicles by 2022.

The IMs concept’s uniquely powerful exterior and interior designs are made possible by the innovative electric and autonomous technology that embodies Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company’s vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society.

“Fully embracing the three pillars of Nissan Intelligent Mobility – Intelligent Driving, Intelligent Power and Intelligent Integration – the IMs concept moves toward the creation of a sustainable mobile society in the form of EVs, autonomous drive and connectivity technologies,” said Le Vot.

The concept’s powertrain utilizes a high-performance all-wheel-drive (AWD) system powered by a pair of electric motors located at the front and rear of the vehicle. The result is an ideal front/rear weight balance, exceptional traction over slick driving surfaces and excellent cornering performance. Thanks to an advanced air suspension that adapts to different driving situations, the IMs concept possesses a silky, smooth ride quality and flat cornering character.

The vehicle’s electric powertrain consists of dual electric motors (front and rear) generates 483 horsepower and 590 lb-ft of torque and a 115-kWh battery provides an estimated range of 380 miles on a single charge.

The IMs concept’s standout exterior transforms the styling of a traditional sedan into a vehicle with provocative proportions, sporty character and excellent aerodynamics. Unique to Nissan, it also seamlessly marries futuristic high-tech qualities with timeless Japanese accents.

Nissan’s signature V-motion design language, which is incorporated throughout the 2019 Nissan model lineup, is emphasized on the IMs concept’s grille-less front fascia through the shape and placement of the headlamps. The bold, thin V-shaped lighting design is both prominent and practical, giving the entire vehicle a futuristic yet distinctively Nissan look, while aggressive 22-inch wheels add to the vehicle’s sporty attitude.

In Autonomous Drive mode, the IMs concept’s headlights and rear combination light turn blue and the lighting travels continuously from front-to-rear to notify pedestrians and other drivers of its autonomous status.

The exterior also features holographic rear tail lamps and a B-pillar-less 4-door body structure with reverse-opening rear doors for easy interior access. To emphasize its Japanese character, a traditional Japanese Asanoha geometric graphic pattern has been applied in gold over the IMs concept’s smoked glass roof surface. The pattern is used throughout the vehicle, including on the wheels and inside the cabin.

The exterior is finished with a special “liquid metal” paint that is meant to suggest an imaginary mineral on the moon. The qualities of this color, inspired by the Japanese kimono, enhance the IMs concept’s unique and beautiful sculptural form in a subtle way, with shifts in gradation.

The IMs concept’s interior represents an entirely new way of visualizing how future commuters will travel in an autonomously driven world. Putting a priority on the vehicle’s interior space, all powertrain components have been tucked completely away underneath the cabin floor.

In manual driving mode, the IMs concept’s interior becomes a driver-centric cockpit with advanced driver-assistance technology and multi-level information displays, giving full vehicle control to the driver.

In autonomous drive mode, the IMs concept can transform from an engaging driver’s car to a fully autonomous vehicle, allowing the driver to engage in conversation with passengers, catch up on work or just enjoy the numerous entertainment options.

Nissan IMs concept “Premier Seat”

Dominating the rear space is the innovative “Premier Seat,” an oversized center seat that appears out of the three-across rear seat after the slim outboard positions are folded. The interior color treatment utilizes darker materials in contrast to the lighter, simpler exterior. Gold details are found throughout the interior, providing elements of light to the interior in the same fashion as Japanese paper door screens provide light for traditional Japanese tatami rooms.

“This IMs concept is the latest example of how we envision the future of mobility as we head toward our goal of zero emissions and zero fatalities on the road. It is an advanced study in progressive proportions, which has resulted in a completely new type of elevated sports sedan” said Le Vot. “Combining a sleek and sexy exterior with a warm cavernous cabin, the IMs concept offers a fresh kind of driving experience, manually, autonomously and virtually.”

The Nissan IMs concept introduces a new segment – the “elevated sports sedan.”

It transforms the traditional sedan into something fresh and new, with provocative proportions and a sleek new look that emphasizes its sporty electric vehicle performance. The IMs is the latest in a series of advanced Nissan electric vehicle concepts that includes the recent Nissan IDs and IMx models.

Key to the groundbreaking proportions of the IMs is a new electric vehicle platform with dual front and rear electric motors and a flat, high-capacity battery pack located underneath the passenger compartment.

The car’s overall silhouette features a slipstream cabin arch over a B-pillar-less interior space, enhancing its technical modernity and premium high-quality appearance. Sporty 22-inch wheels and tires give the car a powerful stance and a raised cabin for easy ingress and egress, as well as a high seating position for the occupants. Thanks in part to an extended wheelbase, interior space is maximized, allowing the designers to create an open, airy cabin that can play the dual role of a commanding cockpit or a lounge-like room.

“There are two distinct breakthroughs in the design of the Nissan IMs,” said Satoru Tai, executive design director for Nissan. “First, the exterior’s fresh proportions, simple shape and dynamic movement are very clean, yet powerful and emotional. Second, the landscape projection theme of the interior is sophisticated, spacious, inviting, interactive and seamless, with a unique passenger seating layout. The IMs exterior signals that the driver and passengers are about to experience something entirely new once inside.”

Sleek, sexy, seamless exterior design

The IMs’ exterior design is composed of a powerful linear body block that encases a spacious cabin. In the plan view, the dynamic movements of the sheer surfaces create a simple yet dramatic design statement.
The emphasis on interior space is apparent from the exterior design. The car’s body and greenhouse are visually separated, prioritizing the size and shape of the cabin, while maintaining the sleek, seductive look of a performance vehicle.

“The impression of the IMs’ overall proportions is clearly different from current sport-back sedan designs,” said Giovanny Arroba, program design director at Nissan. “With these new proportions, there are zero trade-offs in terms of packaging, including front and rear headroom and legroom, cargo space and visibility.”

Contributing to the open-air cabin’s appearance are a unique glass roof, thin pillars, super-flush side glass and handle-less doors. When seen from the side, the doors look simple and clean. The dynamic sheer surfaces and edges in the door and hood sections suggest speed and advanced aerodynamics.

The B-pillar-less design allows the rear doors to open rearward, creating an unobstructed view of, and access to, the cabin. With no traditional center console, the interior feels even more spacious at first glance, as well as when inside.

“The deep door sections and three-dimension-hood execution is part of the IMs’ ‘formal modernity’ expression,” Arroba added. “The sharp, edgy treatment almost feels like a well-tailored, well-pressed dress shirt, something you’d feel special about.”

The IMs’ low drag coefficient is the result of the car’s smooth front end, flush lighting, invisible door handles and wing cameras in place of side view mirrors, which fold into the body when the vehicle is in autonomous driving mode. The front fenders, lower door section, rear fenders, an integrated rear spoiler and C-pillars have also been designed to enhance aerodynamic performance.

The lighting system has dual functionality for manual and autonomous driving modes. The deep, V-motion design signature is apparent in the placement and shape of the headlamps, which are offset from the front body surface, also aiding air flow.

The headlamps are integrated into a horizontal light blade that runs across the hood. When the car is in operation, pulses of light travel from the light blade to the interior signature lights and then to the rear holographic lamps, before meeting at the center of the rear combination lamp and starting up again in the front. The lights glow light blue when the vehicle is in autonomous mode. The rear combination lamps also feature a subtle etched pattern, providing a “floating” appearance with directional motion.

The IMs’ roof treatment is highlighted by gold accents that suggest the ring of moonlight during an eclipse. A geometric graphic pattern, inspired by the traditional Japanese Asanoha pattern, is printed in gold over the smoked glass surface. The pattern is used throughout the vehicle, including on the wheels and inside the cabin.

The exterior of the IMs is finished with a special “liquid metal” paint that is meant to suggest an imaginary mineral on the moon. The qualities of this color, inspired by kimonos, enhance the car’s unique and beautiful sculptural form in a subtle way, with shifts in gradation inspired by the image of superheated metal, applied to the areas of the body which are subject to higher air pressures.

Formal Modernity: Traditional elements combine with high-tech design

The confident, modern interior design of the IMs projects a sporty, premium image. Supporting the vision of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the interior functions flawlessly in either manual or autonomous driving mode, enabling seamless switching between the two modes at the driver’s whim.

At Nissan, every car is designed with the driver in mind. Although it has full autonomous capability, the IMs is no different in this regard. Highlighting the interior is an advanced driver-centric cockpit. In manual driving mode, the driver has full control of the vehicle from the comfort of the zero-gravity seat.

The powerful electric drivetrain provides excellent acceleration, while the vehicle’s air suspension system with adaptive ride sensors provides a smooth ride quality and keeps the car stable through corners. The vehicle’s all-wheel-drive system also ensures maximum traction and grip.

The kumiko structure on the instrument panel, created by 3D printing technology, takes up little space and is extremely lightweight, helping keep the car’s curb weight to a minimum. The driver display features a floating clear screen with dual layers.

“With the elevated seating position and the car’s excellent performance, the driver can take full advantage of multilayered technology, from the air suspension to the intuitive controls, to the information displays,” said Arroba. “But just as easily, the IMs can transform from an engaging driver’s car to a fully autonomous vehicle, allowing the driver to engage in conversation with passengers, catch up on work or just enjoy the numerous entertainment options.”

Dominating the rear space is the innovative “Premier Seat,” an oversized center seat that emerges from the three-across rear seat when the slim outboard positions are folded. The delta-shaped seating pattern is also ideal from the standpoint of executive travel, enabling the occupant to maximize time efficiency while moving, for example, from the office to a private jet.

The interior color treatment uses darker materials in contrast to the lighter, simpler exterior. The instrument panel and door panels are covered by woven black material with fabric gold mesh accents. In fact, gold details are found throughout the interior, providing elements of light in the same fashion as Japanese paper door screens provide light for traditional Japanese tatami rooms. Even the flooring is unique to automotive design, combining custom carpeting with a “Shock Diamond” pattern to give the cabin a feeling of “formal modernity.”

“We wanted to create an environment that’s more like stepping into a luxury movie theater than an ordinary passenger sedan,” Arroba explained. “The interior graphics are the result of Nissan designers’ respect for the company’s Japanese heritage, and while the overall design here may not follow convention, we wanted it to feel techy, with the promise that its occupants are about to experience something new.”

Breaking new ground through purity and simplicity

In an era where electric cars with autonomous driving capabilities dominate global auto shows, the Nissan IMs stands out with its simple, unadorned design language and advanced technology, provided by Nissan Intelligent Mobility.

“Inside and out, the focus is on enhancing user efficiency through an elevated experience in both manual and autonomous driving modes,” Tai said. “Even the most out-of-the-world aspirations must be rooted in reality in order to succeed. The Nissan IMs meets every one of those criteria.”

Nissan IMs concept key dimensions and specifications

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