Forgotten ONES - If the moon could speak, it would have countless stories of innovative automotive creations. Some of these vehicles quietly disappear, while others briefly shine before vanishing from public view. Among these, the 1989 Nissan 300XM (NTC IF) Concept, commonly known as the Nissan IF, is one of the lesser-known gems. It may not be widely recognized to public, but it represents a fascinating chapter in automotive history ahead of its time.
The 1989 Nissan 300XM or Nissan IF (ニッサン IF) Concept initially designed by Satoshi Wada, and won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. (Picture from: Facebook)
The story of the Nissan IF begins in 1987, when a talented Japanese designer, Satoshi Wada, sketched a unique concept. His design won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. The Nissan IF, or ニッサン IF in its original Japanese name, was conceived as a mid-engine sports car that prioritized exceptional handling and agility.
The 1989 Nissan 300XM or Nissan IF (ニッサン IF) Concept initially designed by Satoshi Wada, and won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. (Picture from: Facebook)
To turn this vision into reality, a dedicated team was assembled in October 1988, under the leadership of Saneatsu Hashimoto. The team’s mission was clear: to create a compact, high-performance sports car that would stand out in terms of both design and engineering.
The
1989 Nissan 300XM or Nissan IF (ニッサン IF) Concept initially designed by Satoshi Wada, and won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. (Picture from: Facebook)
The development of the Nissan IF was no small feat. Over 140 employees from the Department of Body Design of the Nissan’s Technical Center (NTC) in Atsugi were involved in bringing the concept car to life. It all started with a 1:4 scale model, which quickly progressed to a full-size 1:1 mock-up.
The 1989 Nissan 300XM or Nissan IF (ニッサン IF) Concept initially designed by Satoshi Wada, and won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. (Picture from: Facebook)
The process took months, but by May 1989, the Nissan IF prototype was ready to be shown to a select group of business insiders. Contrary to some reports, the concept car was never publicly displayed at the 1988 Tokyo Motor Show, a fact often misrepresented since no such event was held that year.
The 1989 Nissan 300XM or Nissan IF (ニッサン IF) Concept initially designed by Satoshi Wada, and won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. (Picture from: Facebook)
Technically speaking, the Nissan IF was ahead of its time. The car featured a floor and frame made entirely of aluminum, a material choice that contributed to its lightweight construction. The IF's suspension system consisted of a double wishbone setup at the front and a multi-link configuration at the rear, ensuring a balanced and smooth ride.
The 1989 Nissan 300XM or Nissan IF (ニッサン IF) Concept initially designed by Satoshi Wada, and won the prestigious New Concept Car Contest organized by Nissan. (Picture from: Facebook)
Under the hood, or more accurately, behind the seats, the Nissan IF housed a mid-mounted 930cc four-cylinder engine borrowed from the Nissan Micra. This small yet efficient powerplant was intended to deliver a nimble driving experience, perfectly aligned with the car's emphasis on handling. Although the Nissan IF never reached mass production, it remains a testament to the creativity and vision of Nissan’s design and engineering teams. Since there isn’t a video specifically about this car, here’s a video featuring Nissan concept cars in Shinjuku, Japan.
Its sleek and sporty appearance, combined with its innovative engineering, continues to captivate those lucky enough to learn about it. Despite its limited exposure, the Nissan IF serves as a reminder of what could have been – a remarkable small coupe that might have made a significant impact on the automotive world. While the car may have stayed in the shadows, its legacy endures among enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty of forgotten concept cars. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SWDESIGN-TOKYO | GTPLANET FORUM | CARSTYLING.RU | ALLCARINDEX | 1989 NISSAN IF IN FACEBOOK ]
Note: This blog can be accessed via your smart phone.
Its sleek and sporty appearance, combined with its innovative engineering, continues to captivate those lucky enough to learn about it. Despite its limited exposure, the Nissan IF serves as a reminder of what could have been – a remarkable small coupe that might have made a significant impact on the automotive world. While the car may have stayed in the shadows, its legacy endures among enthusiasts who appreciate the beauty of forgotten concept cars. *** [EKA | FROM VARIOUS SOURCES | SWDESIGN-TOKYO | GTPLANET FORUM | CARSTYLING.RU | ALLCARINDEX | 1989 NISSAN IF IN FACEBOOK ]
