Nissan has revealed the Hyper Urban concept ahead of this year's Tokyo motor show, claiming the new car represents the brand's "future design and technological capabilities". An SUV aimed at those living in urban areas, the concept is the first in a series of vehicles that will be revealed one by one ahead of their official debuts in Tokyo.
"Sophisticated tastes"
According to Nissan, the Hyper Urban is designed to make "a bold statement while also effectively blending in" to the urban environment. The upward-opening doors certainly make a statement, with the rear doors hinged on the rear roof pillar to create a kind of wing effect when opened. And when the doors are closed, the car has an equally angular and modern look, combined with huge alloy wheels.
The bodywork itself is painted in a lime yellow colour that changes depending on the angle at which the light hits it, creating highlights and shadows around the angles of the bodywork. However, it is also designed to be aerodynamic, allowing the car to eke as much range as possible from its battery. Wide tyres also complement the image, which Nissan says is tailored to the "sophisticated tastes of its target users."
Blending in
Behind those striking doors, the Hyper Urban's cabin is intended to "blend in with urban living spaces." The company says "kaleidoscopic triangles" provided the inspiration, with an instrument panel and display that can be customised to the driver's mood. Using over-the-air updates, these digital facets of the interior can be replaced regularly, allowing the car to remain modern for longer and thereby reducing the need to replace the vehicle.
The front seats can't be updated per se, but they do collapse and fold into the rear seats to create a kind of sofa. This, Nissan says, allows drivers to park the car in a "loft environment or bungalow" to create an extra interior space.
But the car can do more than just act as a second sitting room when it comes to home integration. As part of the car's charging system, Vehicle-to-Home (V2H) capability allows it to power the home, helping drivers to reduce strain on the grid and potentially save money. Vehicle-to-Grid (V2G) technology also allows the car to put unused electricity back into the grid, and the whole system - including the conventional charging process - is controlled by artificial intelligence.
More to come
While Nissan isn't likely to put the Hyper Urban into production any time soon, the company says the car is a signpost to future products, showcasing not just design features but also technology. The company will reveal more such concepts in the coming days, with reveals scheduled for October 10, 17 and 19.