Nissan is known for introducing extreme and radical-looking designs for its concept vehicles and the Xmotion Concept is no exception. The automaker's latest design study pays tribute to Japanese culture and artistry while incorporating modern elements and advanced technologies.
According to Nissan, the SUV was born out of Americans' need to have a vehicle that would take them to places that were unreachable by traditional sedans. As such, these vehicles have largely been influenced by West in terms of their overall design.
For the Xmotion concept, however, the automaker wanted to introduce something new — a compact SUV that would bring contrasting ideas to the table and have them coexist. Thus, Nissan incorporated their Japanese heritage as well as next-generation technologies to create a vehicle that is dynamic and tough but emotional and sophisticated at the same time.
The Xmotion Concept's exterior is bold and powerful with a sculpted body, U-shaped headlights, a new interpretation of Nissan's signature V-motion grille and a unique taillight design inspired by Japanese craftmanship. It has traditional SUV proportions with a high stance, bulky fenders and a long wheelbase. The exterior design's visual simplicity is contrasted by 21-inch metal-crafted wheels and all-terrain tires.
To contrast the aggressive exterior design, the Xmotion Concept's interior is tranquil and serene. The cabin blends different Japanese design elements such as the "kanawa tsugi" and "kigumi" wood joinery techniques. The cargo even features an image of Mt. Fuji.
The cabin also features a bevy of technologies including seven displays — three of which span the entire width of the dashboard. There is also a screen on the ceiling and one for the center console.
The displays and infotainment system have an intuitive interface and can be controlled via gestures, voice commands and eye movements. This allows the driver to focus on the road but still be able to control the system.
Operation of the vehicle begins once the driver touches the fingerprint authentication area on top of the console. A virtual personal assistant, which takes the form of a Japanese koi fish, is able to connect the driver and the machine. The system is able to provide navigation, weather and vehicle information. The Xmotion Concept is also capable of autonomous driving such as changing lanes and overtaking other vehicles.
The Xmotion Concept is expected to inspire Nissan's upcoming vehicles including their next-generation crossover.
