Nissan IMs Concept is an ‘Elevated’ ELECTRIC Nissan saloon

The Nissan IMs Concept arrives at the Detroit Motor Show as an electric saloon car with a crossover stance delivering 476bhp.

Is the Nissan IMs Concept, revealed at the Detroit Motor Show, a preview of a new electric Nissan? Probably not, but it is an indication of where Nissan think the electric car can go.

Nissan say the IMs is a ‘completely new type of car’, but in simple terms it looks like an ‘Allroad’ saloon, with its high-riding stance delivering a mashup between a conventional saloon and a crossover.

Of course, raising the height of the IMs means Nissan can stick all the electrical needs under the floor, and in the process make the cabin appealingly spacious and flat-floored. Which is good.

All that room delivers an interior with a 2+1+2 seating arrangement, with three seats in the back but the ability to fold away the two outer seats to leave a ‘Throne’ in the middle.

The IMs delivers a driver-focused setup in manual mode, but tap in to its autonomous gubbins and the steering wheel retracts and the front seats swivel to face the back seats, back seats accessed by suicide doors for easier access.

Under the skin is the 115kWh battery pack on the floor and a pair of electric motors – one on each axle – delivering a decent 476bhp and 590lb/ft of torque. Nissan decline to give performance figures, but it will be lively.

It’s not easy to see the IMs heading for production as a Nissan, although it would perhaps make more sense as an Infiniti. Although with last year’s IMx concept firmly pointing at a new Nissan LEAF SUV, who knows.