Automotive

Vmotion 2.0 concept debuts Nissan’s new design language

View 34 Images
From the outside, although the Vmotion 2.0 has a lot of body lines and dimpling that would not likely ever make a production model, it’s definitely a beautiful sedan
Scott Collie/New Atlas
Nissan just debuted a new design for its flagship sedan, the Maxima, so we are not sure when this new design language shown in the Vmotion 2.0 would begin to proliferate
Nissan
From the side, the Vmotion 2.0 concept carries deep cut lines
Nissan
The V in the Vmotion outlines a large trapezoidal mesh which is centered by the Nissan stamp
Nissan
From the side, the Vmotion 2.0 concept carries deep cut lines that keep the focus on the heavy tires without taking away from the solidity of the sedan
Nissan
At the rear, a short, clipped deck below a fastback-styled rear window results in a thick rear profile for the Nissan Vmotion 2.0
Nissan
Thin sideways-V-shaped tail lights and a wind scoop are unique, and add a lot of action
Nissan
The implied weightiness of the car is made possible by the thin-pillared, “floating roof” design that takes the current-generation Maxima’s look and carries it into a new realm
Nissan
The "floating roof" is created by giving the appearance of a deleted rear pillar through the use of smoked glass that flows over the pillar itself 
Nissan
Tiny, multi-bezeled headlamps and daytime running lights are thinly inset into the front corners of the Vmotion 2.0
Nissan
When illuminated, the Nissan Vmotion 2.0's headlamps become larger than their size might indicate
Nissan
Inside the Nissan concept, a pillar-less door design opens up the interior to full view
Nissan
Nissan aimed for a minimalist design to the Vmotion 2.0’s interior
Nissan
A square-shaped, Indy-inspired steering wheel with a T-shaped spoke design houses a few simple control buttons
Nissan
The minimalist design of the Vmotion 2.0's interior showcases a large dash screen that runs nearly the full length of the uplifted dashboard
Nissan
In the back seats, whose design mirror those of the driver and front passenger, plush seating and a lot of glass above and around make for a very open feel
Nissan
The center tunnel runs between the captain’s-style chairs and hosts a pop-up tablet-like interface
Nissan
The curvature of the Maxima sedan’s hood and rear deck are very similar in this concept car, as are the rear fender bulges
Nissan
Zebra wood and copper are the accent colors found throughout the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept
Nissan
A simple row of climate controls with a dial at left is at the center of the Vmotion 2.0 concept’s stack, below which a push-button start and gear selection are found
Nissan
Each of the four seats in the Vmotion 2.0 have headrests that are home to a Bose “sound bubble” set of speakers
Nissan
The aggressive departure angle of the lower rear fascia showcases the wide tires that propel the Vmotion 2.0
Nissan
Zebra wood inlay, soft-touch fibers, copper, and leather are the interior’s primary material choices
Nissan
The rear seats are mounted to the back wall of the sedan to create a “floating” effect when viewed from this outside-in angle
Nissan
From the outside, although the Vmotion 2.0 has a lot of body lines and dimpling that would not likely ever make a production model, it’s definitely a beautiful sedan
Scott Collie/New Atlas
The new Nissan grille takes the current Vmotion design and pushes it further with a few tweaks that accentuate the front end’s futurism
Scott Collie/New Atlas
The rear door opens rearward in “suicide” fashion and both the front and rear doors are hinged to lift out for a full 90-degree open
Scott Collie/New Atlas
Many elements of the current-generation Nissan Vmotion design are seen in the Vmotion 2.0, but are taken to a new level
Scott Collie/New Atlas
Extremely wide fenders on the Vmotion 2.0 concept are accentuated by the over-sized intakes on either side
Scott Collie/New Atlas
One thing Nissan is promoting this year, starting with the CES 2017 promise of a new LEAF electric car, is its ProPILOT semi-autonomous technologies
Scott Collie/New Atlas
Unique wheels on the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 are accented with carbon fiber-appearing inlays
Scott Collie/New Atlas
Strong chisels in the bodywork of the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 concept give the body dynamism and motion
Scott Collie/New Atlas
The rear of the Vmotion 2.0 has an overweight quality that many may not like
Scott Collie/New Atlas
When the doors are swung wide and the entire interior of the Nissan Vmotion 2.0 is exposed, the seats appear to "float" above the floor
Scott Collie/New Atlas
The Nissan Vmotion 2.0's doors are one of its most dynamic assets
Scott Collie/New Atlas
View gallery - 34 images

At the North American International Auto Show, Nissan has unveiled its future direction for sedan design with the Vmotion 2.0 concept. This aptly-named showcase car is cabin-focused and very future-centric, concentrating on the company's Intelligent Mobility ideals.

The hallmark of the current Nissan design language is the V-shaped grille appearing on all of the company's vehicles. This is called the "Vmotion" design language, and this new concept takes that a step further as the next generation of the Nissan look. Words like "futuristic" and "dynamic" were suitably over-used in the descriptions of it.

From the outside, although the Vmotion 2.0 has a lot of body lines and dimpling that would not likely ever make a production model (though Nissan did bring us the Juke, so anything is possible), it's definitely a beautiful sedan. It begins, obviously, with the Vmotion grille.

The new Nissan grille takes the current Vmotion design and pushes it further with a few tweaks that accentuate the front end’s futurism
Scott Collie/New Atlas

That new Nissan grille takes the current Vmotion design and pushes it further with a few tweaks that accentuate the front end's futurism. The V itself is much larger, outlining a large trapezoidal mesh which is centered by the Nissan stamp. To either side of the V edges is a parallel dark V indent, which offsets and matches the wide grille openings. Massively oversized side intakes and tiny, very thin headlamps flank the grille work. The hood above has creases running in tandem on either edge to create fender bumps that flow into very thick edges covering wide tires.

From the side, the Vmotion 2.0 concept carries deep cut lines that keep the focus on those heavy tires without taking away from the solidity of the sedan. The implied weightiness of the car is made possible by the thin-pillared, "floating roof" design that takes the current-generation Maxima's look and carries it into a new realm. The curvature of the Maxima sedan's hood and rear deck are very similar in this concept car, though, as are the rear fender bulges.

The rear of the Vmotion 2.0 has an overweight quality that many may not like
Scott Collie/New Atlas

At the rear, a short, clipped deck below a fastback-styled window results in a thick rear profile. Thin sideways-V-shaped tail lights and an active wind scoop are unique, though, and add a lot of action. The aggressive departure angle of the lower rear fascia showcases the wide tires that propel the Vmotion 2.0.

Inside the concept, a pillar-less door design opens up the interior to full view. The rear door opens rearward in "suicide" fashion, and both the front and rear doors are hinged to lift out for a full 90-degree open. The rear seats are mounted to the back wall of the sedan to create a "floating" effect when viewed from this outside-in angle. The front seating has a similar, low-slung mount hidden by the lower lip of the door openings for the same effect.

Nissan aimed for a minimalist design to the Vmotion 2.0's interior, showcasing a large dash screen that runs nearly the full length of the uplifted dashboard. A square-shaped, Indy-inspired steering wheel with a T-shaped spoke design houses a few simple control buttons. Below the wheel, pedals are inset directly to the floor, rather than levering down.

The rear door opens rearward in “suicide” fashion and both the front and rear doors are hinged to lift out for a full 90-degree open
Scott Collie/New Atlas

A simple row of climate controls with a dial at left is at the center of the Vmotion 2.0 concept's stack. Below that, along the transmission tunnel, is the push-button start, gear selection, and armrest. Zebra wood inlay, soft-touch fibers, copper, and leather are the interior's primary materials choices.

In the back seats, whose design mirror those of the driver and front passenger, plush seating and a lot of glass above and around make for a very open feel. The center tunnel runs between the captain's-style chairs and hosts a pop-up tablet-like interface for accessing various functions in the car such as climate controls and personal audio options.

Each of the four seats in the Vmotion 2.0 have headrests that are home to a Bose "sound bubble" set of speakers. These create an area of sound around the head of whomever is sitting in that seat, allowing for each person in the car to have their own entertainment or for the entertainment option of one to not interfere with the conversation or enjoyment of the others. Parents will probably love this idea. Similarly, the system allows personal phone calls.

One thing Nissan is promoting this year, starting with the CES 2017 promise of a new LEAF electric car, is its ProPILOT semi-autonomous technologies. With the Vmotion 2.0, Nissan is showing what may be possible in the very near future, with autonomous driving in the city – a step beyond the highway and commuter traffic options that are already on the cusp of being commercially available.

The Vmotion 2.0 concept, Nissan says, promises its future design language for sedans. Nissan just debuted a new design for its flagship sedan, the Maxima, last year, however, so we are not sure when this new design language would begin to proliferate.

Source: Nissan

View gallery - 34 images
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Flipboard
  • LinkedIn
2 comments
Bob Flint
Apparently translated loosely into Origami....
Never heard the expression "less is more"
The rear doors must have an automatic closure system, because unless your arms are 4 feet long, and made of rubber you won't reach them.
keith14
I am a panel beater and can see this car coming in after a head or side on collision as being a nightmare to work on. Why do the designers of these cars not look into the possibility of a tradesman having to repair impact damage. I guess they want folk to replace bent panels with new ones. Or better still have the insurance companies to write them of and have to buy a new one.