Nissan goes with the flow at Geneva

Nissan is out to prove that electric cars needn't be frumpy and devoid of fun factor via the Esflow concept, which will take its bow at the Geneva International Motor Show on March 1.

The slinky coupe is underpinned by a bespoke rear-wheel-drive platform, but rather than relying on combustion power, it's propelled by an electric powertrain derived from that of the lauded LEAF.

The official word for now is that it's just a concept, but insiders suggest the concept could pave the way for a production model in due course.

Drive comes via a pair of rear-mounted electric motors, each of which independently drives a wheel for optimised torque distribution and stability -- effectively mimicking an advanced electronic differential.

Despite the fact the powertrain is spawned from that of the Leaf, Nissan says it's "tuned to offer a sporty driving experience" in the Esflow.

Although no power and torque figures have been revealed, Nissan claims the sportster can sprint to 100km/h in under five seconds and travel over 240km on a single charge.

Nissan makes a song and dance of the fact that the Esflow was conceived from the outset as an electric vehicle, and this allegedly gave designers/engineers free rein to place the powertrain and batteries in the optimum positions.

Occupants are housed "bang on the car's centre of gravity", placing them just forward of the bulging rear wheelarches. The lithium-ion battery packs are similarly located along the axis of the front and rear wheels, which further centralises the mass of the car.

The batteries are mounted low in the chassis and the Esflow is distinguished by classic long-bonnet/short-tail sportscar proportions.

Lighweight construction is one of the car's hallmarks, as its composite body cloaks an aluminium chassis that incorporates its own roll cage (negating the need for thick, visibility-obstructing A-pillars).

The colour scheme chosen for the car was allegedly inspired by glaciers -- highly reflective solidified liquid with blue tints in its shadows -- and the headlights and Nissan emblem are tinted cool blue.

Blue LEDs accentuate the futuristic lights slashed into the bodywork both front and rear, but where the Nissan Leaf's protruding headlights are used to guide airflow around the door mirrors, this is not needed on Esflow as the mirrors have been replaced with minute rear-view cameras at the base of its A-pillars.

The Esflow's headlights do conceal a secret of their own however: flip-out charging points built in to the air ducts beneath.

The cabin is unique in that there are no weight-adding seat frames; instead, the pews are sculpted into the rear bulkhead. This of course means that they are immobile, but fly-by-wire steering and pedals adjust electrically to the best spot to suit each driver's height and preferred driving position.

Visit the Carsales Network again for our coverage of the Geneva International Motor Show from March 1.

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