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[quote=“Big Boss”"]
(Press Release)
-Nissan provides an advanced look at a future production sports sedan
-Offers bold and exciting sports car proportions with energetic styling, driver-oriented interior
-Embodies next-generation Nissan design signatures, including V-Motion front aspect, distinctive “floating” roof and boomerang-shaped lampsDETROIT - Design has long been a differentiator between Nissan and its competitors – along with performance, innovation and technology. Now, as the company celebrates its 80th anniversary, it is doing so with the world debut of the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The Sport Sedan Concept, a design study with a particular emphasis on next-generation design and sporty style, was created to embody the essence of a true sports sedan – that rare execution of 4-door sedan with the aura of a real sports car. It previews a future production vehicle intended for owners with a passion for cutting-edge design and driving dynamics.
“The Sport Sedan Concept shows a new, highly emotional and energetic design direction that takes Nissan’s legendary approach of applying sports car principles to a sedan to the next level,” said Nissan Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. “The Sport Sedan Concept captures that essence with bold and exciting sports car design and proportions.”
Next-Generation Nissan Design Language
The Sport Sedan Concept joins a trio of advanced concepts that share signature design aspects that will be adapted to all future Nissans. Along with the Nissan Resonance and Friend-ME concepts that were introduced in 2013, the Sport Sedan Concept shares the new V-Motion front aspect, “floating” roof and boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights.
As demonstrated by the three diverse concepts, these distinctive design cues will be incorporated into a range of body types from sedans to crossovers.
“Our new design direction mirrors the strength, power and capabilities of the engineering and innovation that serves as the foundation of every Nissan vehicle,” said Nakamura. “Nissan is a brand for people seeking bold and passionate experiences, and who are willing to make choices outside of traditional boundaries. That’s why Nissan is committed to breaking new ground in automotive design, as expressed in the stunning new Sport Sedan Concept.”
The exterior of the Sport Sedan Concept is marked by low, wide proportions, with a lowered hoodline and reduced ground clearance compared to traditional sedans – elements that would be right at home in a sports car.
The “V-Motion” movement of the front end flows from the dramatic chromed grille up through the hood. The front of the Sport Sedan Concept also incorporates the large LED boomerang headlights, a deeply scooped front fascia and wide, sloped windshield.
The profile of the vehicle is equally powerful, with its dynamic bodyside lines adding a strong sculptural feel and connecting the wheels and tires – which are pushed out to the four corners.
There is a projection of motion, even when the vehicle is standing still. The Sport Sedan Concept rides on custom 21-inch aluminum-alloy wheels mounted with low-profile 275/30R21 tires.
The distinctive silhouette blends smoothly into the rear design, which is capped by the high deck, large chrome trunk accent and wide, deeply scooped rear fascia. As in the front, the boomerang rear combination lights accentuate the centered feeling and push outward to edges.
The unique “floating” roof adds a sense of openness and lightness in contrast to traditional sedans’ heavy cabin appearance.
“The innovative roofline, which is also prevalent on Resonance and Friend-ME, makes it seem as if there are no pillars at all, enhancing the sense of athleticism and sportiness,” said Nakamura. “The roofline also contributes to the Sport Sedan Concept’s class-leading stance, which balances the look of the substantial lower body and a streamlined cabin.”The final exterior touch is the unique “Strad Amber” paint that was inspired by the craftsmanship and rich finish of noted classic violins – instruments capable of producing vibrant intensity at times and at other times a soft stillness. The elaborate candy color paint finish is achieved through application of an orange-amber topcoat over a base of gold paint, creating a distinctive depth and bespoke richness.
The Sport Sedan Concept’s interior also offers cues to future production designs. Premium materials are found throughout, with the use of diamond-shaped graphics on the quilted seats, stitching and panels enhancing the sense of dynamic motion. Rather than traditional flat surfacing, the diamond treatment adds three-dimensionality. The edgy and geometric look was inspired by modern furniture, apparel and accessories. The interior also features high-contrast colors and facet metallic accents. All these aspects finely express Nissan’s individual authenticity and modernity.
The front-wheel drive Sport Sedan Concept is powered by a 300-plus horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine backed by a sport-tuned Xtronic CVT® and features an innovative suspension layout with performance dampers.
The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept was created by Nissan Design America in San Diego, California and developed at the Nissan Global Design Center in Atsugi, Japan.
KEY DIMENSIONS
Length 191.7 in. (4,870 mm)
Width
75.3 in. (1,912 mm)
Height
54.3 in. (1,378 mm)
Wheelbase
111.2 in. (2,825 mm)
Front overhang
39.1 in. (992 mm)
Rear overhang
41.5 in (1,053 mm)
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[quote=“Big Boss”"]
Nissan Sport Sedan Concept Debuts In Detroit, Previews 2015 Maxima
Nissan has presented a sporty new concept at the 2014 Detroit Auto Show that previews the styling of its future sedans, starting with the 2015 Maxima due later this year. The concept’s official title is Sport Sedan Concept and it features some familiar Nissan styling cues already seen on the 2014 Rogue and prototypes for the upcoming 2015 Murano.
According to Nissan, the Sport Sedan Concept showcases a new design direction for the automaker where sports car principles are applied to regular models like sedans and crossovers. That design direction has been dubbed V-Motion and is characterized by a floating roof and boomerang-shaped lights.Unique to the Sport Sedan Concept is a low, hunkered down stance. This is emphasized by its aggressive aero components and reduced ground clearance–elements that would be right at home in a sports car. It stretches 191.7 inches in length and has a width of 75.3 inches. Its height is a low 54.3 inches.
The profile of the vehicle is equally powerful, with its dynamic character lines adding a strong sculptural feel and connecting the wheels and tires. Those wheels are 21-inch aluminum alloys shod with 275/30 size tires. The rear is capped by a high deck which is accented by a large stretch of chrome.
The Sport Sedan Concept’s interior also offers cues to future production designs. Premium materials are found throughout, with the use of diamond-shaped graphics on the quilted seats, stitching and panels. The interior also features high-contrast colors and metallic accents.
Though it’s described as sporty, the concept still comes with a front-wheel-drive layout. Its engine is a 3.5-liter V-6 putting out in excess of 300 horsepower, and this is mated to a sport-tuned version of Nissan’s Xtronic CVT. This is a similar setup to that found in the current Maxima and is likely to be the same destined for the all-new 2015 Maxima.
Joining the Sport Sedan Concept in Detroit is Nissan’s funky IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO sports car concepts from the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show.
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[quote=“Big Boss”"]
(Car And Driver)
Nissan Sport Sedan Concept: Don’t Call It a Maxima
Okay, it’s a Maxima.
“Don’t call it a Maxima,” is the first thing Nissan folks tell us about their Sport Sedan concept making its debut at the 2014 Detroit auto show. Sure thing. We won’t call it a Maxima, even though the Maxima is overdue for a redesign and the Sedan concept’s 191.7-inch length and 111.2-inch wheelbase would work perfectly for a Maxima. Fine, it’s not a Maxima.
Whether you think of it as a Maxima or not, the Sedan concept does give us a look at some of the cues that Nissan’s sedans will wear in the future. Penned by Nissan Design America in San Diego, California, and built by Nissan Global Design Center in Atsugi, Japan; the concept has a blacked-out A-pillar and side-window glass that works to hide the B-pillar, although the low roof is unlikely to see production. Other style elements likely to make it onto future Nissans are the narrow black strips that cut through the C-pillars, the boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights, and the trapezoid shape of the chromed grille; Nissan calls the front-end look “V-Motion.”
In person, the concept looks strikingly wide and low. Front-drive proportions are well hidden and the fenders swell around the 21-inch wheels. And, if you were wondering, the paint color is called “Strad Amber” and is said to have been inspired by the finish on classic violins. The color is achieved by applying an orange amber coat of paint on top of a gold base coat.
Open the concept’s door and there are more design elements that look ready for production. The center stack and shifter float above the center console. Angles and symmetry win out over organic shapes. If it wasn’t for the absence of a natural material like wood, this interior would work perfectly in an Infiniti.
But since this is a Nissan, the concept is front-wheel drive and powered by a 300-plus-hp 3.5-liter V-6 coupled to a CVT automatic. Did someone say, Maxima?
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[quote=“Big Boss”"]
Detroit Auto Show: Nissan’s Sport Sedan Concept hints at future Maxima
Pay attention to the concept sedan Nissan rolled out Monday afternoon at the Detroit Auto Show. You may see it again soon.
The car, officially dubbed the Sports Sedan Concept, is a strong indication of what the next Maxima sedan will look like when it debuts in production form later this spring.
“The Sport Sedan Concept shows a new, highly emotional and energetic design direction that takes Nissan’s legendary approach of applying sports car principles to a sedan to the next level,” Shiro Nakamura, Nissan’s vice president and chief creative officer, said in a statement.
Nissan has long positioned the full-size Maxima sedan as the fun-to-drive alternative to its more staid peers. Yet the current-generation car has been around since 2009, making it conspicuously more outdated than its competitors.
Cars such as the Chevy Impala, Hyundai Azera, Kia Cadenza, and Toyota Avalon have all been updated in the last 12 to 24 months. Sales for the current Maxima reflect this, declining 9% from 2012 to 2013.
Thus, Nissan is eager to reinvigorate its presence with a sharply designed offering due in the coming months. Monday’s concept teases where the look of that car is headed.
The car “previews a future production vehicle intended for owners with a passion for cutting-edge design and driving dynamics,” Nissan said announcing the car.
The concept’s dramatic styling was conceived at Nissan’s design center in San Diego, and previews elements the brand intends to bring to not only the next Maxima, but numerous future vehicles as well.
Key elements on the Sport Sedan Concept to watch for include the floating roof design, V-shaped front grille and boomerang-shaped headlights and taillights, Nissan said.
Though the design of the next Maxima will be all-new, the philosophy of the car won’t, as evidenced by the concept. Front-wheel-drive is still standard, as is a 300-plus horsepower V-6 paired to a continuously variable transmission.
A production version of Nissan’s next Maxima will likely debut at the New York Auto Show in April. Look for it to wear much of the Sport Sedan Concept’s clothes when it does.
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