Detroit 2017: Nissan Vmotion interior

One of the most striking concepts at the North American International Auto Show was Nissan’s Vmotion 2.0 – and its interior was particularly interesting. So we asked Antonio Manzari, senior interior designer at Nissan Design America, all about the concept, which was designed by a team led by him and interior design manager John Sahs in San Diego and built in southern California.

The theme and the main focal point of the interior, he said, is a ‘gliding wing’, from left to right. At the same time, the door panels flow from front to rear, directly relating to the exterior styling direction. The center console mirrors the front-to-rear fluid motion, further complementing the themes of the ‘gliding wing’ and literally bridging between the vehicle’s front and rear occupants and the outside world, emphasising the concept’s other theme of seamless connectivity.

The interior designers really wanted to emphasize the lightness of the interior. In the rear seating area, the theme of lightness and roominess continues, uncluttered and lightweight. The designers also intended to extend the customer’s own living room experience, with the feeling of lightness grounded in the sustainable zebrawood door panels, the flooring, and layered materials such the copper-finished trim.

Seamless connectivity between the driver and the passengers and the rest of of the world was very much part of the idea; the rear passengers are connected to the front, and very much part of the journey – it’s not just about the driver. Everyone is involved in the trip. While the car may offer an autonomous driving mode, the steering wheel is designed to compliment the very integrated display and again enhances the ‘gliding wing’ theme.