Nissan’s Mixim Concept Car in detail

“The young of today have a different sense of reality. They are no longer so interested in products but in experiences. They interface the world through the computer. Our task was to develop a programme that they could identify with. And out of that programme came Mixim,” says Bancon.

Mixim is an electric vehicle, and so appeals to the environmental concerns of the young, but in looks, attitude and performance it’s miles away from the typical battery-powered city-compact we know today.

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. Despite being a concept car with no guarantees of being turned into a series production model, Mixim’s development is in line with the Nissan Green Programme, the company’s publicly stated desire to create a sustainable mobile society.

Its performance potential is reflected in its coupé-style looks while some of the features inside and out – including updates of iconic designs from the motor racing arena – should appeal even to the most anti-car youngster.

But perhaps Mixim’s biggest selling point, at least as far as next generation of car drivers is concerned, is the cabin itself.

From the commanding central driving position, the driver faces a cockpit inspired by computer games. There’s a horizontal split screen effect with virtual displays visible beneath the reality as seen through the visor-like windscreen.

The illusion is completed by the steering wheel, which resembles a computer race game controller. Adopting a Formula 1-style ‘command and control’ approach, the wheel incorporates switches for control functions.

“Mixim is the result of true global research. Teenagers seem to have a pretty similar outlook on the car whether they live in Europe, the United States or Japan,” says Bancon.

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