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Imagine a Nissan Leaf with artificial intelligence (AI) and an exterior that has some serious styling chutzpah, and the net result might well be this: the Nissan IDS Concept from the Tokyo Motor Show. A self-driving electric vehicle, the IDS could preview the look of the next-generation Leaf.
Exterior
That sharp-edged bodywork is made entirely from carbon fibre, its height restricted to 1,380mm to keep the aerodynamic drag (Cd) figure low. The wheels are shoved right to the corners to maximise interior space, while they are fitted with ridiculously thin 175-section tires - less rolling resistance, you see, and you'll notice the same thing on BMW's i3. The wheel faces have a design that creates tiny vortices of airflow on the surface, improving the way the Nissan cuts through the air.
Running along the side of the car is a silver line, which you might think is just a flight of design fancy, but no; it's actually an LED called the Intention Indicator. It's for when the IDS is in its fully automated mode, so that - for example - if it notices a pedestrian or cyclist nearby, it shines red to show said person that the car is aware of their presence. Finally, that pattern on the grille is likened to icicles, which are similarly pure and clean to an EV.
Interior
Two interiors? That's Nissan's claim, which might look wildly ambitious given the IDS Concept is only a hatchback. However, this again comes down to the car's two driving modes - Piloted Drive, or Manual Drive. In the former, the steering wheel disappears from view and a large flat screen takes its place. Furthermore, the four seats all turn themselves slightly inwards, to better facilitate on-board conversations. All driving-related operations are then controlled by the AI, as well as voice and gesture controls from the driver.
Switching to Manual Drive, the seats all swing to face forward and the steering wheel - modelled on reins for horse riding, apparently - makes its return. Driving meters, a head-up display and switches that glow blue are all also part of the cabin in this set-up. The A-pillars are hollow structures, allowing for better visibility out and therefore fewer blind spots, and the only way to engage this mode from Piloted Drive is through a large switch called the PD Commander, located between the front seats.
Mechanicals
Nissan says that even when it's in Piloted Drive mode, the car's AI ensures the vehicle's driving style imitates the human driver's characteristics and preferences. But even in Manual Drive, the Nissan is surreptitiously monitoring its surroundings in case it needs to step in with assistance for the human operator in an emergency situation.
The Nissan IDS Concept is fitted with a high-capacity 60kWh battery, while the aero, carbon body, flowing form and its low stance ensure it can go a long (unspecified) distance on a charge. Other technologies on the IDS include Piloted Park, which can be operated by smartphone or tablet, and wireless charging technologies.
Anything else?
Back in 2013, Nissan president and CEO Carlos Ghosn said that by 2020, Nissan will have autonomous drive technology on multiple vehicles, with progress well on track to achieve that. He added at the Tokyo Show: "Nissan's forthcoming technologies will revolutionise the relationship between car and driver, and future mobility. Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver's ability to see, think and react. It compensates for human error, which causes more than 90 percent of all car accidents. As a result, time spent behind the wheel is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more fun."