Nissan’s all-electric IMk and Ariya Concept vehicles are Japanese masterpieces

Last updated on October 23rd, 2019 at 12:45 pm

Update: Since writing our original article in early October, Nissan has revealed the Ariya Concept, the successor to the IMx concept vehicle shown at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show. Images of the crossover SUV are below.

Nissan is no stranger to the world of electric cars and its latest concept car, the IMk, could be its best yet. It’s a vehicle that has a true ‘Japanese DNA’, in the sense that the exterior adopts a traditional design and the interior has a zen aura about it.

The compact-sized city car will have a plethora of high-tech functionalities: from autonomous driving capabilities that use the company’s ProPilot system, to its luxurious cabin that has an all-glass bezel-less prism display, which communicates information through a holographic display. It’s a work of art.

The beauty of the IMk’s interior design doesn’t stop there, as throughout the cabin the car has an Akagane colour scheme – a reddish copper-like colour that oozes quality. Elsewhere, there are wood slats, acutely designed door frames and sumptuous seats; one might think it’s a sophisticated sauna.

As for physical controls, the Japanese manufacturer has limited it to the start button and shifter, only. The rest are accessible through the ‘floating’ display and via the soft glowing icons that appear on the centre console.

When it comes to the exterior, an all-glass roof sits at the top, while the car’s front grille has a V-motion signature ‘shield’ design that combines with the taillights to give off a futuristic look.

“As a small EV for a new era, the Nissan IMk is designed to be at home in sophisticated cityscapes as much as in traditional Japanese towns,” said Satoru Tai, executive design director at Nissan. “The IMk fuses a modern, clean look, driven by its Japanese heritage, with cutting-edge EV technology. Unconstrained by conventional concepts of the kei car segment, its design is interwoven with Japanese culture. It’s a luxury small EV that I hope a lot of customers are going to drive.”

As for the Nissan Ariya Concept, it adopts a more traditional design but yet, still serene-looking with its soft curves by the wings and roof.

The SUV has a similar interior as its smaller city variant, the IMk Concept, where a dual-screen dashboard and touch-operated buttons make up for the vehicle’s controls.

As with all concept cars, there’s no official word on pricing, availability or if the IMk will indeed come to certain markets. If any new developments are announced, I’ll be sure to update this article.