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Frankfurt Preview: Nissan bringing the Mixim Concept
by John Neff on Aug 29th 2007 at 11:17AM 
UPDATE: Official press release added after jump.
click above image to see full gallery
Our cohorts over at Autoblog Spanish surprised us this morning with news that Nissan will be bringing this concept, called the Mixim, to Frankfurt next month. We haven't seen anything official from Nissan yet about the Mixim, but from what our brothers tell us in their native tongue, it is a "vehicle of the future" type concept, meaning there's no shot for production.
Clearly a hatchback, the Mixim features front-flipping gullwing doors and a 1+2 seating arrangement. The concept is a little over 12 feet long, almost six feet wide and a bit over four and a half feet tall. It also weighs a mere 2,094 lbs., no doubt to maximize either driving range or fuel efficiency. Finally, the Mixim's also an infotainment powerhouse, with all manner of hardware to keep the driver's attention off the road, including full internet access.
We'll bring you more details, including corrections for whatever got lost in translation above, as soon as we find some official info from Nissan. Meanwhile, check out the pics in our gallery below.
[Source: Autoblog Spanish, Motor Authority]
Gallery: Nissan Mixim Concept
PRESS RELEASE:
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.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Russ 12:28PM (8/29/2007)
If it ever makes it to production, they so need to name this the 'Minima'.
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F451 12:07PM (8/29/2007)
I'm not sure that this car is ugly enough to own or shoot at?
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Max 12:16PM (8/29/2007)
I like how they tried to graft the GT-R roofline onto this abomination. Nissan seriously needs to fire a few people in the design dept.
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naggs 12:19PM (8/29/2007)
i dont get these far off car of the future concepts
they are based on what we think/hope technology will allow us to build x years from now. they almost always end up looking rediculously tacky by the time period they were intending to represent.
they are useless in every sense of the word. what is the point?
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riggs 12:20PM (8/29/2007)
looks like this car just came back from a loss in a boxing match.
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John P. 12:41PM (8/29/2007)
The fact a car this hideous can even be taken as far as prototype/show car form is just ridiculous. Please, don't waste precious car show floorspace with this crap.
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Jruhi4 12:56PM (8/29/2007)
Here's the English-language official Nissan press release, as posted on the Global Auto Index website:
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.
http://www.globalautoindex.com:80/news.plt?no=1910&nl=y
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Steve 1:19PM (8/29/2007)
Wow thats nasty looking.
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suarez_cito 5:56PM (8/29/2007)
Umm... Ew.
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whofan 6:25PM (8/29/2007)
Looks just as bad as Nissans`production vehicles. Strech it out a bit, and it could be the replacement for the Quest minivan.
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Bryan 9:17PM (8/29/2007)
Who let this disaster out? I mean Nissan's are ugly now, but goodness, this thing got hit with the ugly forest!
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importjap 9:27PM (8/29/2007)
That... that just looks bloody awful.
I think they've let Renault too free a hand in the design. Ack.
It looks like a Honda Insight mashed into the new GTR's roofline, with an almost Micra-esque front, which then had an illegitimate relationship with the Toyota Sera to get the gullwings.
The triangular.. vents..on the side just heighten the hideousness of this 80's Starglider inspired abortion.
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yedkar 11:25PM (8/29/2007)
i think ugly just got a new definition. I hear its called mixim.
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KJC 11:27PM (8/29/2007)
Yuk, is this a French design?
Is that a camera under the front bumper?
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Richard Warren 6:00AM (8/30/2007)
I can't stop laughing.
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TheManInDboX 10:03PM (9/01/2007)
Definitely looks like someone took a public toilet, the ones without the tank on the back, and flipped it over, threw some headlights and wheels on it... Is Nissan trying to reinvent the Scion XA.... Didn't they already cancel that???
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