Nissan Says an Electric Crossover Is Still a Couple Years Away

Nissan showed off what a future electric crossover model may look like with the IMx concept, which debuted at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show.

The Japanese automakers previously confirmed it will produce an electric CUV, but perhaps not as soon as once imagined.

Speaking to Indian Autos Blog, Nissan chief of global design, Alfonso Albaisa, said a production electric car based on the IMx is “at least two years” away. That’s despite the fact the electric crossover will share the second-generation Leaf’s platform.

Without giving too much away, Albaisa said the production car will share some elements of the IMx show car but he explicitly ruled out the all-glass roof. A major benefit of the new Leaf’s platform is packaging and the production IMx should boast a roomy cockpit and a flat floor without a transmission tunnel.

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The IMx concept included a high-capacity battery tweaked for peak energy density; power ratings sit at 430 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. Albaisa said the production car will have GT-R levels of torque and added, “the last time I checked [GT-R] is a monster.”

With the electric crossover at least two years out, Nissan will likely focus on bolstering the Leaf electric car before rolling out its second battery-electric vehicle sometime early next decade.