With its futuristic aerodynamic styling and a fuel-efficient hybrid-electric powertrain, the Nissan Resonance concept recently made its world debut at the 2013 North American International Auto Show.
Resonance was created by Nissan Design America, San Diego, CA, under the direction of Shiro Nakamura, senior vice president and chief creative officer of Nissan Motor Company Ltd.
The exterior design signals that Nissan Resonance is pushing the crossover segment forward.
Nissan’s designers worked to express an aerodynamic feel that was lightweight yet also protective, and drew inspiration from the allure of hypersonic travel.
The front exterior design shows the V-Motion, which starts from the front grille, moves through the hood and resonates with the iconic boomerang shaped headlights. The body is strengthened by powerful surfaces and provocative lines and is accented by the flow through the car to the kick-up shape around D-Pillar. These distinct details give the crossover a very advanced yet spacious impression.
The roof’s unique ‘floating’ design is created through the use of the thin, steeply raked A-pillars, large full-length glass panel and flowing D-pillar design.
The effect created gives the impression of a flowing structure carried by the large windows and overall spaciousness of the cabin.
The body colour, named Flare Orange, adds even more energy and warmth to the overall exterior design. Other exterior features include a tinted acrylic grille with Satin Chrome accents and 22-inch aluminium-alloy wheels.
Futuristic VIP lounge
With the interior, the designers imagined what the future of first-class space travel might be: Welcoming yet exclusive and high-tech yet premium. The resulting ‘VIP lounge’, with its light, buttery leather and premium-stitched seats, exudes genuine sophistication.
Thoughtfully considered details, including sequential welcome lighting, add warmth and drama upon entering the vehicle. The dramatic interior illumination highlights the natural wood pattern in the modern cabin.
An advanced instrument panel floats on a generous console, creating a forum where the driver can access all infotainment and communication features.
Technology is graphically layered to give a holographic experience and visual depth is used to separate information in order of importance.
The open glass roof gives passengers a unique panoramic view of the world and floating elements like the roof lining add to the sense of space and airy lightness. The spacious interior atmosphere is enhanced by the sculpted door panels and elegant, deep shape of the centre console.
Sustainably dynamic performance
Though Resonance is presented strictly as a design concept, its hybrid electric drivetrain signals the desire by crossover drivers to be respectful of the environment without sacrificing driving pleasure. The all-wheel drive Resonance includes Nissan’s proprietary ‘one-motor, two-clutch’ system that combines a smaller displacement internal combustion gasoline engine with an electric motor/lithium-ion battery and advanced management system. Resonance also features Nissan’s next-generation Xtronic CVT® (Continuously Variable Transmission).
