Nissan's Mixim all-electric concept car

We've seen a lot of all-electric cars come and go, but scant few from the major automotive manufacturers -- aside from the EV1, of course -- so Nissan's Mixim concept caught our eye with more than just its swoopy lines . The baby hatchback weighs just 2100 pounds and clocks in at a tiny 145 inches end-to-end -- but inside that diminutive shell you'll find seats for three, a lithium-ion battery pack and two Nissan "Super Motors" that provide the Mixim with all-wheel-drive. Since it's a concept, it's got to have a crazy interior, and the central driving position and video game-influenced controls don't disappoint -- welcome to Blade Runner, kids. The Mixim is just a concept, but here's hoping the next all-electric car from a major manufacturer we hear about will be ready for the street.

[Via GizMag]

[Nick @ Aug 30th 2007 9:19PM]

wow.. and i thought that clamshell inspired iCar was fugly.

[inimitable @ Aug 30th 2007 9:29PM]

Sitting in the middle? I would crash and burn pretty quick, I think.

[-Tj- @ Aug 30th 2007 10:47PM]

Sitting centered in the car is the ideal driving position. Even view of the road and surroundings, even weight distribution, etc. It's why the McLaren F1 was created with a centered driver's seat, same with dragsters and Formula 1 race cars.

[Andrew @ Aug 30th 2007 9:34PM]

I really doubt this will ever see the street. Not to be negative or anything.

[Paul @ Aug 30th 2007 9:39PM]

I like it. I think it's a lot better than some of the other ones out there, better than the Prius to be sure, and that saw production.

I would like to see some more details. My understanding is that the Li-Ion batteries on cars take up less space and charge faster, resulting in less charge times and longer range.

[Andrew @ Aug 30th 2007 9:51PM]

Yeah, but the Prius is a hybrid, not all-electric. There's plenty of hybrids on the market.

[DarkAardvark @ Aug 30th 2007 10:09PM]

eww li ion... super capacitors ftw

[Johan S @ Aug 30th 2007 9:43PM]

The best thing about driving this prototype around is that the worst car you can possibly encounter will be only the second ugliest car in the world.

[Nolan @ Aug 30th 2007 9:50PM]

looks like an obese bunny

[Vizion @ Aug 30th 2007 10:03PM]

Anyone thinks it looks like a PT Cruiser swalled a 350Z?

[Paul @ Aug 30th 2007 10:44PM]

It reminds me of the cockpit of a stealth bomber.

[ToonPac @ Aug 30th 2007 10:08PM]

What happened to the bumper? And what's with the diamonds... That's one ugly car =(

[Spiza @ Aug 30th 2007 10:30PM]

he "Big Three" automobile manufacturers also developed electric vehicles. An early 1990s vehicle was the Ford Ecostar utility van with an alternating current motor and sodium sulfur batteries. The top speed was 70 mph and it had a range of 80 to 100 miles. While about 100 Ecostars were produced, it was considered an R&D vehicle and never offered commercially.

Ford offered an electric version of its Ford Ranger pickup. It had a range of about 65 miles with its lead acid batteries, had a top speed of 75 mph, it accelerated from 0 to 50 mph in 12 seconds, and it had a payload of 700 pounds.

General Motors EV1General Motors has designed and developed an electric car from the ground up instead of modifying an existing vehicle. This vehicle, called the EV1, was a 2-passenger sports car powered by a liquid-cooled alternating current motor and lead-acid batteries. The EV1 had a top speed of 80 mph, had a range of 80 miles, and could accelerate from 0 to 50 mph in less than 7 seconds.

In addition to the EV1, General Motors offered an electric vehicle Chevrolet S-10 pickup. This vehicle had a range of 45 miles, it accelerated from 5 to 50 mph in 10 seconds, and it had a payload of 950 pounds.

Toyota RAV4 - Electric VehicleOther electric vehicles that were available during 1998 included the Toyota RAV4 sport utility, the Honda EV Plus sedan, and the Chrysler EPIC minivan. These three vehicles were all equipped with advanced nickel metal hydride battery packs. Nissan placed limited numbers of their Altra EV station wagons in California fleets during 1998. The Altra was equipped with a lithium-ion battery pack. In addition, both Ford and General Motors during 1998, made the Ranger, the EV1, and the S-10 pickup available with nickel metal hydride battery packs.

[Spiza @ Aug 30th 2007 10:31PM]

http://inventors.about.com/library/weekly/aacarselectric2a.htm

[Spiza @ Aug 30th 2007 10:32PM]

Watch "Who killed the electric car". Good documentary.

[Macinjosh @ Aug 31st 2007 12:48AM]

Spiza, you're showing off. You know how to work the Google on the internet machine. -Chazz Michael Michaels

[PEZ @ Aug 30th 2007 10:30PM]

Nissan will never havce shit for an electric car without the help ot toyota. Their electric cars are all powered by synergy drive mechanics and batteries from toyota. SUCK IT.

[Ellianth @ Aug 30th 2007 11:16PM]

I for one think this car looks cool. Kinda reminds me of something out of i robot.

[Andrew @ Aug 31st 2007 3:10AM]

Which would be why people think it looks dumb? Who honestly wants to buy a car because it looks like a car in a bad Will Smith vehicle?

[Chris @ Aug 30th 2007 11:48PM]

It's got Bubba's bottom lip for a front bumper.

[oneshallstand @ Aug 31st 2007 12:07AM]

There's a helluva lot of uglier cars than that on the road at the moment, and it looks good enough to capture the 'quirky' end of the market.

I suspect if that design ever did see production it'd do quite well. I recall a lot of people mocking the SMART, and the PT Cruiser.

Still, in terms of getting electric vehicles on the road (other than milk-floats in the UK) it's a sign of potential.

The time now is surely right for an upgraded Sinclair C5 though.

[icingdeath88 @ Aug 31st 2007 12:24AM]

God, don't you just have to love Nissan...

[ryan @ Aug 31st 2007 12:42AM]

that's one heckuva windsheild.

[jptech @ Aug 31st 2007 1:12AM]

Wow, I would take that designer and smack him in the face.

This design is just an offensive crime against aesthetics.

[virain @ Aug 31st 2007 1:39AM]

There's no future for electric car until they find a way to extand life of a battery so car would be able to run for 200-300 miles, plus about 12 hours of city/traffic driving with heat/AC, radio, lights and other electric gadgets on full power. Until then, it either gas, alternative fuel, hybrids, or fuel cell. I know many "green" readers won't agree with me, but most people would prefer comfort and convinience over "saving" earth against "Global Warming", I mean not only Al Gore should have a prevelage to drive SUV

[Andrew @ Aug 31st 2007 3:12AM]

"Adding" quotes really "helps" your "argument".

[Bad Cyborg @ Aug 31st 2007 1:46AM]

Got a feeling the Nokia people came up with this.

[Mark @ Aug 31st 2007 2:11AM]

Watch how quickly any of the oil companies will try to 'discourage' this from being put into production, or to 'discourage' people from buying it.

[sirius @ Aug 31st 2007 2:46AM]

Being green and using electricity and stuff is good.
Having no taste all isn't!

This could easely be one of the ugliest cars ever. I hope they don't release it.
I'd have to look away every time that thing passes by and that could create some very bad situations :S

[tchiseen @ Aug 31st 2007 6:03AM]

i think it looks cool. in any case you have to admit it would be the least ugly Nissan they've made so far.

[tso @ Aug 31st 2007 2:50PM]

makes me think of that motorcycle concept that wa shown some years ago. and as i liked that, this one is not that bad.

[jessica b @ Nov 12th 2007 8:33PM]

I think this car is awesome. I wish it would go into production because i would totally buy it! We need more all-electric cars!