After all our bellyaching about how there was no Supra or Fairlady at the Tokyo Motor Show this year as many had expected, it appears that we spoke to soon! Upon examining our TMS materials more carefully, it turns out that Nissan did in fact bring a Fairlady, and we can’t believe no other media outlets have noticed.
Here she is, and by “she” we mean a virtual assistant named Miss Fairlady. She’s apparently an AI interface that helps you control some stuff in the car via a smartphone app. We can’t tell; the URL given redirects to a page that doesn’t appear as if it’s been updated since 2016. We can’t download the app either because it’s not available in the US. Anyway, she falls under the umbrella of “Nissan Intelligent Mobility” as demonstrated by the concept Nissan showcased, the IMx:
Check it out, it’s a suicide-doored, angry-faced, all-electric AWD “sporty” crossover! If that doesn’t get your blood flowing, the Nissan IMx is also autonomous, so you won’t even have to think about driving it. However, there’s a manual mode, and you will definitely want to use it because — and this is actual text from the press release — “with a low center of gravity, the chassis delivers sharp handling that promises to redefine the crossover segment.” Imagine that, a crossover with a low CoG. It’s almost as if it’s a car!
Its dual electric motors mounted front and rear promise 516 foot-pounds of instant torque, but since it’s a concept that number could be anything. Despite the similar name, try not to confuse it with the IDx. At least Nissan’s corporate partner Mitsubishi, which had a booth right next door, brought back the next Evolution:
Check it out, it’s a suicide-doored, angry-faced, all-electric AWD “sporty” crossover! It’s called the e-Evolution and it, too, is autonomous. Mitsubishi says there’s an AI that senses that adjusts performance to road conditions and driver skill, and has a coaching function to improve your wheelmanship. That sounds, um, fun? Mitsubishi didn’t give its AI a clever name. Maybe they could call it Celeste.
The e-Evo has three electric motors and some kind of fancy torque vectoring system. Mitsubishi didn’t provide power and torque figures… What’s that you say? We got the photos mixed up? Oh well, who can tell them apart anyway?
I think the e-Evo is a good transition to electric performance vehicles. As weird as that sounds, it’s a positive step and it also shows Mitsubishi is still at it. Sure, it’s not for the ‘enthusiasts’ but Mitsubishi is making what will sell. The CUV’s are taking over and they’re just taking a path they know will make profit. In my opinion, it’s great to see the ‘evolution’ badge again. Heck, maybe they will even revive the Colt GT (Mirage) with a turbocharged engine. Or even better, revive the “VR4” badge.
I have a theory the Lancer Evolution will be revived but revived again as a Lancer Evolution 1…gotta bring back the old school to the new school 🙂
Roll out of the wrong side of bed this morning, Ben?…
It’s not my fault Nissan and Mitsubishi brought the same car… 🙂
Its OK that you mixed up the photos and that Nissan and Mitsu brought the same date too the dance.
I wouldn’t want to take either one out on a date, let alone bring one home.
Japanese car design seems to have gone from boring to bazaar. Designs look like some sort of origami creation…
I saw the Miss Fairlady presentation video at the Tokyo motor show. Miss Fairlady lives in a terrifying and unnerving section of the uncanny valley. She looks like a real living young Japanese woman, right up to the moment her face slightly glitches and shifts a few mm to one side of her skull while speaking.
I like how Nissan continued to utilize a design even after it’s clay block clearly fell off the table it was on and onto the floor.
What. Is. That? The future of autonomous Lawn Mowers?
I honestly thought the pics were all of the same car, and I have a degree in car design…
I like her a lot more than Ms. Unfairlady, who I fight with every time at the department of motor vehicles.
Haha!
One word for both. Revolting. Nobody will ever wax nostalgic about either of those.
Wow, what an ugly design study. Weird for the sake of being weird does not make good design.
Lmao, textbook shade. Love this article