The 2012 Nissan IDx Nismo concept car was inspired by the classic Datsun 510. Nissan designed the IDx as a compact, rear-wheel-drive sports sedan with a deliberately simple, boxy profile that recalled the influential 510.
The Datsun 510, sold in Japan as part of the Bluebird family, became famous in the late 1960s and early 1970s for combining practical sedan packaging with lively handling. Its motorsport success, especially in North America, helped give the model a strong enthusiast following.
Nissan displayed the IDx concepts at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, despite the question’s 2012 date. The standard Freeflow version and sportier Nismo version used the same retro-inspired foundation. The Nismo’s flared bodywork, bold wheels and performance-focused details made the connection to the 510 especially obvious.
The IDx is sometimes confused with Nissan’s Silvia, 240Z or Skyline because all are important Japanese performance nameplates. However, those cars have different body styles and design histories; the IDx’s squared-off sedan shape most directly echoes the Datsun 510.