The on-again, 0ff-again and then on-again saga of Nissan IDx may have some life in it yet. The latest report implies that development is still under way, though its retro styling may not make it to production.
Motoring.com.au is reporting that Nissan designers are adding muscular lines and sharp edges to the small, rear-wheel-drive compact. Rather than heritage cues from classic Nissans like the Datsun 510 and hakosuka Skyline GT-R, they are supposedly following design language precedents established by the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept and new Murano.
As for mechanicals, evidence mounts that the IDx will share a platform with the next-generation Z-Car. Engineers are also planning to give it more power, by utilizing a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter engine good for 181hp, rather than the 1.6-liter unit from earlier reports.
As of now, Nissan seems committed to the idea that if the IDx is to make it into production, it will remain rear-wheel-drive and target the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ as its main rivals.
At some point, however, it seems likely that the IDx will in fact be the next Z. One thing’s for sure though, it has certainly been one of the most talked about vehicles from Nissan since its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show, and the automaker seems perfectly happy to keep the public guessing to keep its name in the media.
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