Automotive

Nissan XMotion concept SUV makes bold and powerful slide into Detroit

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The overall look on the exterior of the XMotion is a blend of sophistication and rugged capability
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The front of the Nissan XMotion is thick with a wide grille, heavy overhang, and strong fenderwork over beefy tires and wheels
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Looking like a mashup of a Lexus crossover and a Jeep Cherokee, the XMotion concept nevertheless has a lot of unique design
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The side panels of the Nissan XMotion are smooth and lightly curved with only the seam between the doors splitting the surface
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Huge, beefy tires and gigantic custom wheels mean business on the Nissan XMotion concept
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The overall look on the exterior of the XMotion is a blend of sophistication and rugged capability
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The XMotion concept's front end defines the word "imposing" with its huge grille and angular edgework
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Thin, slitted lighting sets off the otherwise oversized and muscular elements of the Nissan XMotion concept's exterior design
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The Nissan XMotion's exterior has a smooth rear end with little to break up the hatch
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The rear of the XMotion is almost Aston Martin-ish in its smooth values
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The extra-wide swing of the front doors also reveals the smooth, almost featureless door panels found in the Nissan XMotion
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
Because opposites attract, the interior of the Nissan XMotion concept is nothing like the exterior’s powerful, over-the-top presence
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The tiny, rectangular steering wheel is the only indication of driver's controls to be found in the Nissan XMotion concept
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
An unexplained, floating top sits on the beam-like bamboo pillar that bisects the interior of the XMotion concept
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The doors of the Nissan XMotion concept swing outward, opposite one another, to create an extremely open, pillar-less showcase of the concept's interior
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The large, flat hood and squared off roofline with its retractable storage box are indicative of what’s to be found inside the XMotion
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The word "beefy" comes to mind often when looking at the XMotion concept
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas
The storage box on top of the Nissan XMotion concept can be retracted to improve aerodynamics
Nissan
The Nissan XMotion concept is meant to be an extreme statement of design and cultural mixing from the Japanese automaker
Nissan
Smooth surfaces and angular edges are the basic design elements used to create the exterior of the XMotion concept
Nissan
A huge screen runs the width of the dashboard from the driver’s side to the passenger in the XMotion concept
Nissan
Get a load of those wide-swinging, opposing-swing doors on the XMotion concept
Nissan
Please don't sit on the random floaty thing in the back seats
Nissan
View gallery - 22 images

Nissan has unveiled a new conceptual sport utility, the XMotion ("cross motion"), that is touted as fusing Japanese culture and traditional craftsmanship with American utility. The vehicle features the company's new-generation Nissan Intelligent Mobility technology.

Looking like a mashup of a Lexus crossover and a Jeep Cherokee, the XMotion concept nevertheless has a lot of unique design. The exterior has a smooth rear end with little to break up the hatch. The side panels are smooth and lightly curved with only the seam between the doors splitting the surface. Those doors open in opposing directions, laying bare the pillar-less interior access.

The front of the Nissan XMotion is thick with a wide grille, heavy overhang, and strong fenderwork over beefy tires and wheels. The lighting contrasts that with thin, razor-edge cuts through the front quarter, above large intake-like grilles.

The overall look of the exterior is a blend of sophistication and rugged capability. The large, flat hood and squared-off roofline with its retractable storage box are indicative of what's to be found inside the XMotion. The interior is open, full of wooden curves, and layered in technology. The floating seats with red-and-black mesh are just the start.

The doors of the Nissan XMotion concept swing outward, opposite one another, to create an extremely open, pillar-less showcase of the concept's interior
C.C. Weiss/New Atlas

A huge screen runs the width of the dashboard from the driver's side to the passenger. A tiny, rectangular steering wheel is the only indication that the vehicle is to be driven. Pedals are color-camouflaged to match the flooring so that the red and bamboo elements stand out more. The lower half of the dashboard is made of bamboo slats while the center console runs the length of the interior, splitting the seating as a large bamboo beam.

Technology is inset and mounted onto these wooden elements throughout the XMotion concept's interior. Screens abound, with a control screen between the driver and front passenger, and the aforementioned large screen running the width of the dash. Seven screens in total are found throughout the vehicle.

Behind the second row of seating is the cargo space, which hides two more seats. Overall, the entire interior of the XMotion is aimed towards depicting a Japanese river, atop which sit traditional Japanese elements such as the bamboo and lace-like seating.

The Nissan XMotion concept is an interesting entry at Detroit. It's stylistically unusual, and looks toward what Nissan believes will be the future of the brand and its presence.

There's more information in the following video.

Source: Nissan

View gallery - 22 images
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1 comment
Bob
What's with these Japanese ugly front grills??? They are so disgusting. I wouldn't by a new Toyota or Lexus for half the price.