Nissan has unveiled the IMx Kuro today at the Geneva International Motor Show. Kuro, which means black in Japanese, comes to life on the IMx, which was first revealed at the Tokyo Motor Show in October 2017, with new look black trim and wheels, an updated grille and a new dark gray body colour.
The Nissan IMx Kuro offers cues into the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, the company's vision for changing how cars are powered, driven and integrated into society. The innovative concept vehicle is designed to strengthen the link between car and driver as a close, reliable partner that delivers a safer, more convenient and more exciting drive.
The Nissan IMx Kuro also includes the integration of Nissan's pioneering Brain-to-Vehicle (B2V) technology. Nissan's B2V technology is the world's first system of its kind. The driver wears a device that measures brain wave activity, which is then analyzed by autonomous systems. By anticipating intended movement, the systems can take action – such as turning the steering wheel or slowing the car – 0.2 to 0.5 seconds faster than the driver, while remaining largely imperceptible. B2V interprets signals from the driver's brain to assist with driving and to help the vehicle's systems learn from the driver.
"The IMx KURO zero-emission crossover concept vehicle embodies the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility," said Jose Munoz, Nissan's chief performance officer. "Nissan Intelligent Mobility is Nissan's commitment to changing the way people and cars communicate, as well as how cars interact with society in the near future and beyond."
At the core of the Nissan IMx KURO's technological features is a future version of ProPilot that offers fully autonomous operation. When in ProPilot drive mode, the system stows the steering wheel inside the dashboard and reclines all seats, allowing the vehicles' driver and other occupants to relax and enjoy their commute. When switched back to Manual drive mode the vehicle returns the steering wheel and seats to their original position and seamlessly transfers control back to the driver.
The Nissan IMx Kuro zero-emission concept vehicle adopts Nissan's new electric vehicle platform, designed for maximum efficiency. It allows the floor to be completely flat, resulting in a cavernous cabin and enhanced driving dynamics. With a low centre of gravity, the chassis delivers sharp handling that promises to redefine the crossover segment.
The IMx Kuro is propelled by a pair of high-output electric motors at the front and rear, giving it all-wheel-drive capability. They combine to produce 320 kW of power and an astounding 700Nm of torque – more than the Nissan GT-R supercar. This new battery has a predicted driving range of more than 600km on a single charge.
Nissan's designers have sought to redefine the interior space of the IMx to create a sense of openness, while maintaining a feeling of privacy. To this end, they decided to design a space that links up the inside and outside of the vehicle. They also wanted to convey the key characteristics of electric vehicles – quiet and smooth with a sense of light, yet powerful and dynamic.
Since the IMx's debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, the Nissan design team, led by Alfonso Albaisa, senior vice-president for global design, has made some small but significant changes to the vehicle. The team simplified the grille to give it a stronger and more solid character and changed the color from pearl white to a deep smoky gray, with black finished wheels and trim. The main design features from its Tokyo unveiling remain unchanged – from the V-motion grille design to the supple character line between the hood and rear end. The broad surfaces of the distinctively shaped front fenders start from the grille and expand seamlessly onto the body sides, creating a sense of layers.
The IMx Kuro concept vehicle's interior adheres to the basic concept of space that can be found in a traditional Japanese house, suggesting a sense of openness. The car's panoramic OLED instrument panel displays a view of the external environment in the background. A separate, wood grain-patterned display, positioned below the instrument panel and wrapping around the interior door trims, gives occupants a subtle sense of the outside. The katanagare diagonal pattern on the seats has been delicately etched with a laser cutter. The head rest is made from silicon-material cushioning and a frame produced by a 3D printer.
Artificial intelligence enables the driver to control the instrument panel with eye movements and hand gestures. This intuitive interface results in fewer physical controls and switches, making the cabin of the IMx simple, yet highly efficient, while adding to its comfort.
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2018 Geneva motor show image gallery