(from Nissan Press Release) The Nissan Sport Concept, which makes its world debut at the 2005 New York International Auto Show, is the latest in a series of dynamic performance/youth concept vehicles from Nissan Design, following the Nissan Actic and Nissan AZEAL concepts. The Nissan Sport Concept is a dynamic two-door hatchback with a dramatic four-seat interior.
“The story behind the development of the Sport Concept, AZEAL and Actic is that Nissan is thinking big about the small car segment,” said Mark McNabb, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “With these three design explorations, we’re focusing on how we can bring Nissan’s heritage of innovation, sportiness and driving pleasure to a category of vehicles that traditionally lack design excitement and strong visual appeal.”
The Nissan Sport Concept offers the look and feel of a grand touring car, yet is conceived as an affordable, attainable vehicle for buyers entering the new car marketplace for the first time.
The exterior combines shapes and forms that are both geometrical and mechanical in feel, creating a sense of acceleration and kinetic energy. The dynamic fender forms give the special Pearl White-painted body a look of pure, almost animal performance. Its athletic roofline is marked by a large rear roof-mounted spoiler, while its bold surface composition, robust fender character lines, deep front spoiler and side sills, and large wheels and tires provide an animated, video game-like stance.
The body construction utilizes both metal and carbon-fiber components. The 20-inch six-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels feature a machined and lustrous paint finish surface treatment. The Sport Concept’s headlights and rear combination lights utilize small lamps with multi-layered reflectors.
The interior of the Nissan Sport Concept is designed to fit four comfortably, yet with an emphasis on the front two seats – with every element of the design existing to enhance the vehicle’s engaging driving experience.
The deep, body-wrapping front bucket seats are covered in Wolf Gray leather with double-layered pearl suede inserts and feature formed head restraints and integrated 4-point seat belts. The instrument panel includes integrated tachometer and gauges and a distinctive center cluster. The Sport Concept interior also offers a three-spoke steering wheel and solid-appearance center console with the emergency brake lever integrated into the console lid.
In the rear of the cabin, independent rear seat cushions, also covered in a combination of leather and suede, offer true four-place seating. Like in front, the 4-point seat belts are integrated into the seat design. Other features include center console-mounted support grips, large blue-cone speaker and woofer in the rear parcel shelf and dark finisher trim.
“The Nissan Sport Concept is as close to performance art for the street as you can get – modern, cool, ready to run,” said McNabb. “When it comes to the next wave of small car design, a SHIFT_ is about to be made. And Nissan is making it.”
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