Nissan IDx future in a coma, prospects dim

Nissan IDx future in a coma, prospects dimImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLImage Credit: AOLMore Photos2015 Nissan Micra Cup: First DriveNissan LanniaNissan GT-R Convertible RenderingsNissan Around View Monitor on Topy ROVNissan Sway Concept: Geneva 2015Nissan Sway ConceptJonathon Ramsey

The answer, at least for the public, was always a huge "Yes!" when it came to the Nissan IDx Nismo and IDx Freeflow concepts shown off at the Tokyo Motor Show 2013. We were told they were "in the plan" for production if fans got behind them, but that sunk to "increasingly cloudy" plans for production. Two months later we were being told the production version would get less retro styling. But the damning swerve came in January this year, when Nissan said it was shifting priorities to focus on volume offerings.

When The Truth About Cars spoke to the VP of product planning for Nissan North America, Pierre Loing, the smothering blanket of reality was thrown over the IDx duo: Nissan has no small, rear-wheel platform to build them on. At least, not one that it could make any money with. The 370Z is built on an architecture too big for the IDx, and sister company Renault only has small front-wheel-drive platforms. The idea of developing a chassis just for the IDx doesn't make any sense, as sales trends for the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ should show.

Will we see anything of the concepts in production guise, then? Loing said Nissan "may have some room" for a product with retro design cues and said to check back "in a few years" to get a final answer. But really, the answer appears to be, "No."Featured GalleryNissan IDx Nismo ConceptRelated GalleryNissan IDx Freeflow concept

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Aston Martin boss says DBX is about securing the future

Aston Martin boss says DBX is about securing the futureImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsImage Credit: Drew PhillipsMore PhotosAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design2015 Aston Martin Owners Club Spring ConcoursBonhams 16th Annual Aston Martin SaleAston Martin Vengeance by Kahn Design: Design RenderingsAston Martin DB11: Spy ShotsAston Martin On Ice 2015Chris Bruce

The Aston Martin DBX was a revelation when it debuted at the 2015 Geneva Motor Show. Not only did the concept evolve the British brand's traditional shape into a high-riding crossover coupe, there were electric motors to power each wheel. Just a few weeks ago, we learned that the company secured $306 million in funding to actually bring the DBX to production. Now, CEO Andy Palmer is talking about just how important the model is for the future.

With the DBX moving into such a radically different segment than the rest of the lineup, the model gives Aston Martin the opportunity to go after a new group of customers. "You can't create enough working capital with just 7,000 cars a year whichever way you look at it. You've got to extend the portfolio somewhere, and I'd rather do this than sell caps and t-shirts," Palmer said to Auto Express, taking a slight dig at Ferrari.

While Aston calls the DBX a crossover, its coupe-like lines don't look like any other vehicle in the segment, especially other high-style CUV attempts like the BMW X6 and Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class Coupe. Apparently, that differentiation is entirely on purpose. "We think there is a different space to the traditional SUV. Why? Because we make beautiful cars, and it's hard to make a beautiful SUV. It's hard to make a box beautiful," Palmer said to Auto Express.

The production DBX will gain two more doors for the start of production in 2019, according to Auto Express. The high-performance electric powertrain will remain, though, and Aston will aim for a range of over 300 miles. Earlier reports also suggested that the CUV could be produced at a new factory in the US.

Aston Martin isn't abandoning its performance legacy entirely, though. The DBX is just one part of Palmer's Second Century plan, and the other major pillar is replacing every model in the brand's lineup by the end of the decade. One of them has already been spotted testing.

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#fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-808924{display:none;} .cke_show_borders #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-808924, #postcontentcontainer #fivemin-widget-blogsmith-image-808924{width:100%;display:block;}Featured GalleryAston Martin DBX Concept: Geneva 2015

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