Nissan recently unveiled a sleek crossover design concept sporting a hybrid electric drivetrain option.
Dubbed the Resonance, it fuses the hybrid technology with what the Japanese automaker says is “bold, breakthrough styling.”
The Resonance is described as having “an open, airy architecture highlighted by a unique floating roof created through the use of the thin, steeply raked A-pillars, large full-length glass panel and flowing D-pillar design.” This is supplemented on the interior by what’s dubbed a “VIP lounge” style interior with leather seats.
This lounge design, according to Nissan, includes sequential welcome lighting, interior illumination that highlights the natural wood pattern in the modern cabin and an advanced instrument panel that driver can access for 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.”
Also of note in this concept design is the open glass roof, said to give “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 hybrid system which drives this all-wheel concept includes Nissan’s 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.
When thinking about Nissan’s green car strategy it is important to note that, despite ok sales with the Leaf, the company is now looking to add more environmentally friendly vehicles to its fleet. To that end it plans to add 15 hybrid models by 2016 as well as “new electric vehicles.” There was no mention of what these specific models might be, or what markets they would target.
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 Co., Ltd.
