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Nissan Sport Sedan Concept Caught Before Debut at 2014 NAIAS Detroit Auto Show


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Sneak Peek: Nissan Sports Sedan Concept. maybe 2015 Maxima

By Henny Hemmes
Senior European Editor
The Auto Channel

DETROIT - January 13, 2014: Sometimes it is sheer luck. I just walked over to the Nissan stand at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit and the black cloth was drawn from the Sport Sedan Concept. Too early as its world debut is scheduled for 3.50 this afternoon. So please check back for the details and enjoy the pictures. They show a great looking concept for - highly likely - the upcoming new Maxima, that is scheduled for 2015.

The concept shows the design direction, and confirms the fact that Nissan is going to apply the sports car DNA to its sedans and eventually to its SUVs. More details will follow in four hours.


PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Sneak Peek: Nissan Sports Sedan Concept. maybe 2015 Maxima

PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Sneak Peek: Nissan Sports Sedan Concept. maybe 2015 Maxima

PHOTO (select to view enlarged photo)
Sneak Peek: Nissan Sports Sedan Concept. maybe 2015 Maxima



Official Nissan Sports Sedan Concept Press Release

Detroit Jan. 13, 2014; Nissan today provided an advanced look at its future design direction with the world debut of the Nissan Sport Sedan Concept during a press conference at the 2014 North American International Auto Show. The stunning Sport Sedan Concept embodies a number of next-generation Nissan design signatures, including V-Motion front aspect, distinctive "floating" roof and boomerang-shaped lamps.

The bright "Strad Amber"-colored 4-door sports sedan design study was revealed by Nissan Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura and Nissan Executive Vice President and Chief Planning Officer Andy Palmer. "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.

"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," added Palmer. "The Sport Sedan Concept captures that essence with authentic sports car design and proportions."

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.

The Sport Sedan Concept shared the spotlight with the first North American appearance of the Nissan IDx Freeflow and IDx NISMO concepts. The two IDx compact concept designs offer radically different characteristics, each with their own unique identity.

The IDx Freeflow reflects a casual/lifestyle-focused vision, while the IDx NISMO previews an ultra-sporty model of the future that looks as if it came directly from a driving simulator. Both were developed using a new "co-creation" product development approach that integrates input from consumers early in the process. The process is designed to appeal to "digital natives," the generation born after 1990. Nissan designers believe this approach could have real applications in the near future.

"IDx NISMO and IDx Freeflow show how Nissan is using new and innovative product development methods to meet the needs of younger customers who have novel, exciting ideas, and engage with them to build the cars they want," said Nakamura.

Also making its first North American auto show appearance in Detroit is the Nissan Autonomous LEAF prototype. Based on the all-electric Nissan LEAF, the vehicle is equipped with cameras, laser scanners and radar – which identify nearby pedestrians, traffic lights, traffic signs and other objects. The data is processed by an on-board computer that makes decisions that are implemented with automatically operated controls for the vehicle's acceleration, handling, braking and more. 

The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept, IDx Freeflow, IDx NISMO, Autonomous LEAF and the complete lineup of 2014 Nissan cars, crossovers, trucks and SUVs will be shown at the Nissan display at Detroit's Cobo Center during the run of the 2014 North American International Auto Show, January 18 through 26.

About Nissan North America
In North America, Nissan's operations include automotive styling, engineering, consumer and corporate financing, sales and marketing, distribution and manufacturing. Nissan is dedicated to improving the environment under the Nissan Green Program and has been recognized as an ENERGY STAR® Partner of the Year in 2010, 2011, 2012 and 2013 by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency. More information on Nissan in North America and the complete line of Nissan and Infiniti vehicles can be found online at www.NissanUSA.com and www.InfinitiUSA.com, or visit the Americas media sites NissanNews.com and InfinitiNews.com.

About Nissan
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., Japan's second-largest automotive company, is headquartered in Yokohama, Japan, and is part of the Renault-Nissan Alliance. Operating with more than 236,000 employees globally, Nissan sold more than 4.9 million vehicles and generated revenue of 9.6 trillion yen (USD 116.16 billion) in fiscal 2012. Nissan delivers a comprehensive range of over 60 models under the Nissan and Infiniti brands. In 2010, Nissan introduced the Nissan LEAF, and continues to lead in zero-emission mobility. The LEAF, the first mass-market, pure-electric vehicle launched globally, is now the best-selling EV in history.

For more information on our products, services and commitment to sustainable mobility, visit our website at http://www.nissan-global.com/EN/.