NISSAN AT THE FRANKFURT MOTOR SHOW 2007
- Mixim, an electrically-powered concept car
- Micra Colour + Concept, a showcase for “liquid metal” paint effect
- Newly revised Micra
TRAPPES, France (23rd August, 2007) – At this year’s 62nd Frankfurt Motor Show, Nissan will be showing an all new concept car, a one-off show car based on an existing model and a heavily revised production car.
Mixim Concept Car
The Mixim concept car is a compact vehicle for young drivers who are mostly engaged by their computer and the world via the internet. The driver sits centrally, with two seats either side, while the steering wheel and controls are inspired by the interfaces so familiar to computer gamers.
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.
Mixim takes the most up-to-date electric vehicle (EV) technology and clothes it in a svelte and distinctive coupé shape. Its wraparound windscreen, inspired by the visor of a crash helmet, dominates the profile while the swept back windscreen, flowing roofline and sharply truncated rear hints at sporting performance unexpected from an electric vehicle.
Diamond-shaped styling cues feature inside and out, notably on the twin air intakes to the rear of the doors and the front LED driving lights, while an upper triangular side window links the gentle slope of the roof with the dramatic angular slash that runs through the centre of the doors. The rear hatch opens to reveal a large trunk area behind the three seats. An occasional fourth seat is also housed behind the front seat module.
Sitting on a 2530mm wheelbase, Mixim is 3700mm long, 1800mm wide and 1400mm high, the Mixim is shorter and lower than Micra, though slightly wider. It weighs just 950kg.
Despite being a concept car with no guarantee of being turned into a series production model, Mixim’s development is in line with the Nissan Green Program, the company’s publicly stated desire to create a more sustainable mobile society.
Throughout the show, the Mixim will be driving from a low stage via a ramp to an elevated display platform on the Nissan stand.
Micra Colour + Concept show car
The Micra Colour + Concept show car has been designed and conceived at Nissan Design Europe, the company’s European design headquarters in London, to showcase the latest colour and paint technology and to highlight the changes that have been made to the entire Micra range.
The biggest visual impact, however, is the paint effect. Micra Colour + Concept has been given a two-tone treatment with a Liquid Metal gold paint effect running over the top of the car and contrasting with the three coat pearlescent white finish on the car’s flanks.
The gold finish has an intense depth that makes it appear liquid to the touch. The extreme metallic look is the result of a special-effect pigment added to the paint.
Inside the Colour + Concept theme continues with a high contrast between the upper and lower portions of the interior. Re-upholstered in sumptuous white leather, the seats have accented detailing and stitching. Carpets and lower internal panels are a darker acid yellow to contrast with the pale upper portion of the dashboard.
New Micra
A more mature Micra will be one of the stars of Nissan’s stand at the Frankfurt motor show. Micra celebrates its upcoming fifth birthday with subtle changes to its external appearance, interior trim, as well as the addition of new items of user-friendly equipment.
Thanks to clever use of visual features such as subtle chrome touches, darkened headlamp surrounds and blackened ‘B’ pillars, Micra enters a new phase of its life looking more sophisticated, more modern and more mature.
Inside, new materials and revised colour treatments again provide a more mature and sophisticated ambience. The model line up has been simplified, now with four main grades: Visia, Acenta, Tekna and the premium Active Luxury grade.
The philosophy of providing “Friendly Technology” on the Micra continues. One example is the new double DIN radio/CD player. Incorporating Bluetooth® technology, it enables calls from a compatible mobile phone to be channelled through the audio system. With a control switch neatly incorporated on the steering wheel, calls can be placed and received hands-free.
An additional feature is an auxiliary input jack socket that allows music from personal MP3 players to be heard through the car’s stereo system. Another new piece of equipment offering greater safety and convenience in equal measure is a speed limit warning. Activated by a switch on the leather-bound steering wheel, a warning chime sounds when a pre-set speed limit is breached.
