TOKYO – Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. will present at the upcoming 2001 Tokyo Motor Show an impressive array of concept cars such as the "ideo," an ideal network vehicle, and the "mm," a new standard for compact cars on a scale and diversity unparalleled in the past motor shows. Through these exhibits, the company will strongly emphasize Nissan's creative and distinctive way of making motor vehicles and its corporate posture of boldly yet thoughtfully undertaking challenges.
All of the concept cars to be exhibited at the Tokyo Motor Show will convey characteristic and powerful messages on the important themes of the company' unique way of making motor vehicles, such as the distinctive and attractive "designs," the "driving pleasure" that can be termed the company's heritage, and "telematics," the information technology for supporting pleasant and safe lifestyle concepts involving automobiles. Moreover, the company will be showcasing its efforts for highly effective technologies for enhanced environmental protection and vehicle safety.
Following are overviews of the concept cars and the technological exhibits.
ideo
mm
Fairlady Z
MOCO
KINO
Nails
crossbow
Overview of Major Exhibits
<Main Features of Concept Cars>
ideo
A concept car that has realized interactive communication in pursuit of an ideal network vehicle.
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The ideo features a stable-looking form with the four tires positioned as closely as possible to the four corners, and an advanced exterior design incorporating Japanese architectural design elements, that give the impression of a paper-covered lantern.
- The entire instrument panel serves as the "Super Surround Screen" to display images and information.
- In "City Browsing," people can cruise around town while accessing the wealth of information available in an urban environment just like surfing the Internet. The latest in screen content that allows people to see a view as seen from directly above the vehicle's current position by manipulating multiple CCD cameras installed on the car and that provides new dimensions of driving pleasure and convenience, such as enjoying expressive navigation that have never been experienced before.
mm
The concept car that proposes a new standard for compact cars.
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The fresh, distinctive exterior styling that strikes a pleasing balance of roundness and sharpness, and the high-quality, spacious interior.
- Numerous, handy storage places, starting with a large-capacity globe box.
- A newly developed, lightweight, compact 4-cylinder inline engine that combines environmental friendliness and pleasurable driving.
- A new entry system, with the user's portable control unit kept inside his or her clothes or bag, enables the doors to be locked or closed by simply pushing the corresponding button on the outside door handle. There is no need to take out and insert a key or to press a button on a remote keyless entry fob.
- The mm adopts Nissan's newly developed, compact and lightweight E-4WD system that provides 4WD capability only when it is needed.
Fairlady Z
The Fairlady Z concept car that blends Nissan's sports car tradition with cutting-edge technologies and a fresh design.
- The exterior and interior designs amply express the newness as a sports car, the "Z-ness" supported by the tradition, and premium quality.
- The newly developed 3.5-liter VQ35DE engine delivers the most powerful driving performance ever in the history of Z cars.
- The interior provides ample lateral space between the driver's seat and the front passenger's seat, while combining a sporty feeling and superior functionality.
- The newly developed 6-speed manual transmission delivers exhilarating acceleration full of a sporty feeling.
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The new-generation FM Package delivers driving performance faithful to the driver's wishes.
MOCO
The concept car that provides the base for Nissan's first mini-vehicle.
- The MOCO combines a stylish exterior design and comfortable interior.
- The front grille and wheel design that give the MOCO a distinctive Nissan look.
- An all-aluminum, naturally aspirated DOHC 660-cc engine powers the MOCO.
KINO
A compact minivan designed for younger families and providing a host of "living-room comforts."
- The exterior design of the KINO expresses the spaciousness of the interior while also taking into account good aerodynamics. The glass roof extended above the third row seat can bring natural light into the passenger compartment.
- The door layout is asymmetrical between the two sides of the car, with three doors on the driver's side and two doors on the passenger's side for the enhanced ease of entry and exit.
The KINO, which seats six people in three-row seats, is comparable to a vehicle with two-row seats in overall length and provides a sufficient interior height. - The seating versatility enables the KINO to be used in three different modes; Limousine mode, Living-room mode, and Cargo mode.
- The front monitor adopted in the KINO can display information on vehicle operations and navigation information necessary for driving as well as the state of passengers riding in the rear seats.
- A sliding instrument panel that is to be used selectively according to whether the vehicle is on the road or it is stopped.
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A 15" double-screen monitor is mounted on the ceiling for occupants to enjoy playing video games, surfing the Internet or other forms of entertainment.
Nails
A two-seater that suggests a "street pickup styling."
- The Nails features the unique construction placing an A-shaped cabin frame on the low floor that run from the cabin along the length of the bed.
- The integrated appearance of the tires and wheels, giving the impression of being "rubber-faced wheels," and the steering wheel with the same design motif to match the road wheel design.
- The "comb-frame seat" is constructed as if the teeth of two combs were intertwined. It flexibly converts from a bench seat to a single seat by increasing the overlap of the comb teeth.
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The Nails has been designed and engineered to stir young people's imagination and boost their ties with their friends. When the owner inserts his or her cellular phone in the pocket in the center of the instrument panel, personal data are linked and the system turns on.
crossbow
The "king of the off-roaders" concept model that symbolizes Nissan's superb functionality, exceptional durability and reliability.
- The exterior design makes effective use of the Crossbow's awesome dimensions of an overall length of 4860 mm, an overall width of 1965 mm, and an overall height of 1850mm in a straightforward expression of power, while the key them of the interior is luxury.
- One glance at the three-dimensional "angled strut grille" will announce that this is a Nissan 4WD vehicle.
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An extensive roster of thoughtful, convenient equipment for a 4WD off-road vehicle, such as a wealth of storage spaces that make an effective use of the spacious interior, and the "Adventure Navigation System" with a large, vertical 15" monitor to display a large amount of information at a glance.
<Major Technology Exhibits>
New Generation Communication System 2003i
An advanced communication system designed for a high-speed mobile communications age.
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Advanced interface communication technology that enables drivers to simply manipulate as they please the information displayed on a large, round screen mounted on the instrument panel, using switches mounted on the steering wheel for easy operation even while driving.
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Versatile telematics services, such as an "agent function" to provide users with the information they need when they need it in any driving situation, and a "Group Communications Function" that enables multiple vehicles to communicate with each other while on the road.
New Generation FM Package
New packaging concept for 21st-century front-engine, rear-drive cars
- The FM (front midship) Package positions a compact V6 engine in a front midship layout, locates a large-capacity fuel tank under the floor and adopts a new center muffler system. These features make it possible to (1) adopt a long wheelbase and large-diameter tires, (2) provide an optimum front/rear weight distribution, and (3) achieve superior aerodynamics characterized by zero lift.
- An optimum balance of various conflicting performance attributes is achieved, including sporty driving performance and supple ride comfort, a compact body size and a spacious interior, or a world-class, high-strength safety body and an exterior design with excellent aerodynamics.
The FM Package is featured on the Fairlady Z concept car.
Intelligent 4WD System "E-4WD"
A 4WD system that delivers superior fuel economy for enhanced environmental friendliness without sacrificing interior space.
- The E-4WD is a lightweight, compact, intelligent system that makes use of Nissan's hybrid vehicle technologies, providing 4WD capability only when it is needed with the rear-mounted motor driving the rear wheels.
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The E-4WD system is featured on the mm concept car.
Nissan's Environmental Protection Efforts and Pursuit of Safety
- For environmental protection, Nissan will present (1) technologies applied to its ultra-low emission vehicles (U-LEV) and (2) technologies for fuel cell vehicles (FCVs) that operate on exceptionally efficient and clean power sources.
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As safety technologies, the company will demonstrate its efforts to cut the number of fatal and serious-injury traffic accidents in pursuit of Real-World Safety.