Nissan unveils four concepts, promises to go green
Nissan has launched four concepts based on the company’s CMF-EV platform that was first used by the Ariya, but they are very different in approach, shape and desired applications
Japanese automaker Nissan has revealed four very different concepts based on the CMF-EV platform – Chill-Out, Hang-Out, Surf-Out and Max-Out. Car Design News breaks them down.
Chill-Out
The Chill-Out concept has a simple and clean body, with curves and unadorned panels. Its shape is made by a single distinct shoulder line, which links to the top of the grille at the front. This grille area is large and stretches across the entirety of the front, with linear LED patterns at either edge creating a wing-like pattern. At the rear, the roofline slopes dramatically to meet the wide shoulders. These are accentuated by the enormous glossy black area, with a thin red LED strip outlining the shape. There is also a large glossy black bumper with a large hollow centre for air flow.
A glass dome sits on top of the body work, allowing passengers inside to bath in natural light and take in the view. The interior features a thin IP with a steering wheel, both of which can be folded away and act as a footrest for the front two occupants, while two more occupants can be seated in the back.
Hang-Out
The Hang-Out concept isn’t a million miles away from the Chill-Out, but is more boxy in its shape. There is little in the way of overhangs at the front and rear, making for a very small bonnet and compact back end.
The focus is on the inside, with a flat floor and flexible seating layout to aid socialising and relaxation. Nissan has also released a rendering of the interior at night with a large screen displaying entertainment, though it’s unclear if this is a projected image or a fold-out screen.
Surf-Out
Stepping into the fray of electric pick-ups, Nissan has also unveiled the Surf-Out concept. A large circular transparent face with an LED border features at the front end. From a side view, the body of the car is almost boat-like – a clean rectangle with an extended rear section for the flat bed. The back includes a large digital display for customised messages.
Another thin IP is included on the inside, with a small steering wheel and large curved screen coloured with some ambient lighting strips. Two front seats are available with a single back rest supporting both.
Max-Out
In sharp contrast to the models above, the Max-Out concept is an aerodynamic two-seater convertible. A long front end is made up mostly of the huge angular windscreen, and we think there is another transparent face just like on the Surf-Out concept, which shows the lighting patterns underneath. Strong character, shoulder and belt lines emphasise the sculpted body work on the sides, while the wheels sit inside the panels to minimise drag. A boat-tail rear tapers in and is topped off with a glossy black section that features thin red LEDs, similar to that on the Chill-Out concept.
The interior includes wrap-around lighting, pictured in a luminous green, and some rather strange, layered seat designs. There’s also a small racing steering wheel, and the standard giant touchscreen astride the dash.
The four new concepts from Nissan were unveiled at the same time as the company made promises for the year 2030, stating that it would introduce 23 new electrified models, 15 of which will be pure EVs. It also aims to be a carbon-neutral company by 2050.
