Nissan Motor Co. unveiled a concept electric car that’s more powerful than its iconic GT-R sportscar, aiming to put it into production after 2020 and share the platform with partners Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Renault SA.

The IMx concept model is the most powerful in Nissan’s lineup with a torque of 700 Newton meters, compared with the GT-R’s 637 Nm, the automaker said while unveiling the car at the Tokyo Motor Show Wednesday.

Nissan is showcasing its latest vision in its push for electric cars, a month after unveiling a new version of its Leaf, the world’s best-selling EV to date, to fend off Tesla Inc.’s entry into the market. The biennial show comes at a time the Yokohama-based automaker is under a cloud for a lapse in vehicle inspections at its Japan plants. Struggling to contain the fallout of the scandal, the company suspended production of all cars for the local market last week to fix the issue.

As competition heats up in the industry for leadership in newer auto technologies, carmakers are working overtime to enhance the performance of their products. In the case of electric cars, they are investing time and money in battery packs that offer longer driving ranges to help consumers overcome their anxiety of running out of charge in the middle of nowhere.

The IMx concept offers 600 kilometers (373 miles) on a single charge, 50 percent more than the new Leaf that was unveiled last month. Toyota Motor Corp. is set to unveil a concept fuel-cell car that is targeting a 1000-kilometer range.

Nissan shares declined 0.2 percent to 1,091 yen as of 11:30 a.m. in Tokyo, while the Topix index rose 0.1 percent. The stock has fallen 7.2 percent this year.
http://www.businessamlive.com/nissan-unveils-electric-car-powerful-gt-r/

Ayam Mouthless