Nissan showcases EV IDS Concept in Tokyo

Nissan Motor Co Ltd has unveiled a concept vehicle of autonomous driving and zero emission EVs at the Tokyo Motor Show 2015 - the IDS Concept.

Presenting at the show, Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn said: “Nissan’s forthcoming technologies will revolutionise the relationship between car and driver, and future mobility.”

The IDS concept allows the driver to select Piloted Drive and turn over driving to the vehicle, the car's performance – from accelerating to braking to cornering – imitating the driver’s own style and preferences.

In Manual Drive mode, the driver has control. The linear acceleration and cornering are pure. Yet behind the scenes, the concept continues to provide assistance. Sensors continually monitor conditions and assistance is available even while the driver is in control. In the event of imminent danger, the car will assist the driver in taking evasive action.

“A key point behind the Nissan IDS Concept is communication. For autonomous drive to become reality, as a society we have to consider not only communication between car and driver but also between cars and people. The Nissan IDS Concept's design embodies Nissan's vision of autonomous drive as expressed in the phrase together, we ride,” says Mitsunori Morita, Design Director.

INTERIORS

The interiors of the concept allows the driver to experience two options. Despite being a hatchback, the IDS' long wheelbase enables comfortable seating space for four adults. But the cabin becomes even more spacious when the driver selects Piloted Drive. In this mode, the steering wheel recedes into the centre of the instrument panel and a large flat screen comes out. Various driving-related operations are handled by AI, voice and gestures from the driver. The interior, which comprises natural materials such as mesh leather, is illuminated by soft light. 

When the driver selects Manual Drive, the roomy interior transforms to put the driver in control. All seats face forward. The steering wheel appears along with driving meters and a heads-up display that shows route and other driving information. Interior lighting switches to blue, stimulating the ability to concentrate. Nissan's use of hollow-structure A-pillars helps ensure excellent visibility by reducing blind spots and also contributes to the feeling of open space.

“In every situation, it is about giving the driver more choices and greater control.  And the driver will remain the focus of our technology development efforts,” Ghosn said at the show.

EXTERIORS

Various exterior lights and displays convey to pedestrians and others the car's awareness of its surroundings and signals its intentions. The car's silver side body line, for example, is actually an LED that Nissan calls the Intention Indicator. When pedestrians or cyclists are nearby, the strip shines red, signalling that the car is aware of them. 

AERODYNAMIC PERFORMANCE

The height of the full carbon fibre body was constrained to 1,380 mm, sharply minimising aerodynamic drag (Cd). Positioning the tyres close to the corners of the body maximises interior space while enabling a wrap-around cabin design. Nissan selected large-diameter wheels for high-performance and sportiness, but used very thin 175-size tyres to minimise air and roll resistance. The wheels have a layered design suggestive of thin fins that create tiny vortexes of air flow on the wheel’s surface. This design further contributes to smooth air flow.

EV TECHNOLOGY

The Nissan IDS Concept is fitted with a high-capacity 60 kWh battery, and thanks to its outstanding aerodynamics, low stance, flowing form and reduced weight due to its full-carbon-fibre body, the vehicle is designed to also meet the need to drive long distances. Other technologies on the Nissan IDS Concept include Piloted Park that can be operated by smartphone or tablet, and wireless charging technologies. Through these, the driver can leave parking and charging to the car.

ZERO TRAFFIC FATALITIES AND ZERO EMISSIONS

Nissan IDS Concept's extensive system of sensors and AI are designed to provide enhanced safety performance compared to a human driver. Also, EVs produce no CO₂ emissions and their batteries can store energy from renewable sources and turn it into electricity for homes and buildings. 

More from Tokyo:

- 'India to play greater role in Renault-Nissan’s global plan'

- Yamaha unveils Sports Ride Concept sportscar

- Porsche reveals Macan GTS

- Suzuki showcases the Ignis hatchback

- Mercedes-Benz reveals Vision Tokyo concept

- Mazda unveils RX-vision rotary sports car concept