Nissan Mixim on Frankfurt show

The run-up to the Frankfurt show has been conspicuous by the absence of loony concepts promising 'computer gaming interfaces' and 'styling cues inspired by the visor of a crash helmet'. But Nissan has just revealed its Frankfurt pièce de résistance, the Mixim (named after the rabbit disease? Surely not), and we're happy to see it's a genuinely daft piece of work.

Nissan describes the Mixim as having a 'svelte and distinctive coupe shape', and while we can't argue with the distinctive bit, we're not so sure that the three-seater looks especially svelte.

The wraparound windscreen is inspired by, yes, the visor of a crash helmet (presumably after being battered into a lamppost at high speed), while the rest of the car has a strong hint of 'crushed tin can' about it.

Of course, it's an electric vehicle. The Mixim is powered by a pair of 'Super Motors' - one for the front axle and one for the back - and although there's no word from Nissan on how quick it'll be, we're promised 'unusually rapid performance combined with a usefully extended range'. Draw your own conclusions.

Things get even stranger inside, with a McLaren F1-style three-seat layout and a 'computer interface' layout. Even odder, there's an occasional fourth seat squeezed in behind the front central seat - presumably for your ugliest mate.

Predictably, Nissan says there's no guarantee that the Mixim will be turned into a production model.

And, to prove that the Nissan Micra C+C isn't just for girls, Nissan will also use Frankfurt to show off a concept version of its chop-top supermini with a deeply masculine gold and pearly white paintjob.

Called the Micra Colour + Concept, it's been designed to showcase Nissan's latest colour and paint technologies, as well as revealing the changes that have been made across the entire Micra range.

These changes include a bit more chrome, blacked-out B-pillars and revised headlight surrounds (sweeping, eh?). But we're more intrigued by the C+C's gold windscreen.

Is it even transparent? Or is it part of a wider strategy to protect your delicate male pride by shielding you from the mocking glances of those less enlightened?

We'll find out in Frankfurt.

© Source: topgear
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