At the 2019 Geneva Motor Show, Nissan will present a new crossover concept called IMQ, foreshadowing directions in styling for the next models of the Japanese brand, whose SUV stable includes the Qashqai 3.
It will join the Nissan Leaf 3.ZERO e+ that Nissan has also promised to debut at Geneva, which will feature a 62kWh battery and a more powerful 160kW motor, offering 385km range.
The IMQ concept is being billed as the precursor to an all-electric Qashqai, so those waiting for a third-gen Nissan Qashqai may yet still need to be a little patient.
Nissan has said little about the concept in its press release:
“Join Nissan at the 2019 Geneva International Motor Show for the reveal of the IMQ concept crossover, an all-new vehicle that embodies the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility and gives a sneak peek as to what might be in your future driveway.”
As can be seen from image teased by Nissan, the style is at first glance not far removed from the IMx concept presented at the Tokyo Auto Show two years ago.
Set higher than the IMx, the new IMQ appears more rugged and dynamic, with a slim waistline, high and very shallow windows.
Taking the IM from the moniker for Nissan’s foray into the future of – Intelligent Mobility – the name links it to the previous concepts IMx and IMs, leaving no doubt that the IMQ will also be electric and autonomous.
With the IMx reported to offer a driving range of 600km, it is likely that the Japanese carmaker will want to meet or exceed this in the IMQ.
Nissan, of course, is not revealing any detailed specification for the IMQ at the moment, apart from the fact that it gives a preview of all-electric SUVs it may offer in the future.
The Nissan IMQ concept will be unveiled at the opening of the Geneva Motor Show on March 5.
Bridie Schmidt is associate editor for The Driven, sister site of Renew Economy. She has been writing about electric vehicles since 2018, and has a keen interest in the role that zero-emissions transport has to play in sustainability. She has participated in podcasts such as Download This Show with Marc Fennell and Shirtloads of Science with Karl Kruszelnicki and is co-organiser of the Northern Rivers Electric Vehicle Forum. Bridie also owns a Tesla Model Y and has it available for hire on evee.com.au.