Just a few months after the unveiling of the Nissan IDx Freeflow and NISMO concept cars at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show, product chief Andy Palmer confirmed the compact rear-drive sports coupe was not only under consideration for production, but that Nissan “definitely will do one of them.”

Now, however, that’s looking less certain. Speaking with Ward’s Auto, Nissan Americas vice president of product planning explained that low volumes and a lack of likely platform sharing with other models could spell the car’s doom.

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That all makes good business sense, but it’s terrible news for enthusiasts. The IDx, effectively a codename for “510,” and a revival of one of the Nissan/Datsun legacy’s most cult-status cars, could bring huge style and affordability back to the fun-to-drive segment, and do it with a compact size and emphasis on handling and engagement that’s missing from almost everything except the Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ and Mazda Miata.

The IDx’s formula is refreshingly simple: a four-cylinder engine of 1.2- to 1.6-liter displacement, rear-wheel drive, light weight, and compact dimensions. In Freeflow form, we see something aimed at a mainstream buyer looking for style with a dose of sport. As the IDx NISMO, we see the enthusiast’s version, with flared fenders, a turbocharger, carbon details, and side-exit exhaust all screaming “build me!”

Even if the IDx manages to fight past an army of bean counters to reach production, don’t expect it to hit the streets much earlier than 2018 or 2019.