There’s good news and there’s bad news for you. The bad news is Datsun is back and they aren’t producing another SSS, but the good news is that Nissan has just revealed these 2 concepts in Tokyo, which could have a SSS badge slapped on them now and they would fly off the showroom floors. Say hello to the IDx Freeflow and IDx Nismo concepts!
These 2 rear-wheel driven concept cars share the same platform and offer up a classic Nissan box-design with modern internals, something many of us have been dreaming of for a long time. The Nismo is of particular interest – if it goes to production, it may well be the Toyota 86’s greatest competition yet.
The short dimensions emphasise a low, wide, sporty appearance, which was inspired by video games and designed to appeal to the “digital natives” of our youth. The small dimensions of the cars (1.7-1.8m in length, 1.4m tall, and 4.1m long) and simple design enthuse the idea of what Nissan call a ‘flexible box’, with which the possibilities are endless.
The IDx Freeflow concept (Brown in colour) will be powered by 1.2-1.5l petrol engines, mated to a CVT gearbox, while the IDx Nismo will be shunted along by the 147kW 1.6T engine found in the Juke Dig-T Tekna, but again paired with a CVT gearbox – much to our disdain.
The IDx Nismo (The red, black and oh so sexy one) features a host of sporty elements, such as carbon panels, side exhaust mufflers, aerodynamic spoilers, and lightweight 225/40 19-inch tyres. Racing inspired red Alacantara seats, race-spec meters and gauges, and metal surfaces further add to the race-like ambience.
While we have no official speculation, sources high up in Nissan suggest that if the demand is high enough, these will be produced. Where do we sign our order forms, and where do we line up to blow the Toyota 86 owners away?