2003 Nissan Serenity Concept
- Could Japanese DNA Influence Future Production Nissans?
Its not like the recently introduced Murano crossover SUV is up for replacement anytime soon or anything, but nevertheless the prolific Japanese automaker that makes it came to the Tokyo motor show with a concept vehicle so forward thinking that the production Nissan almost looks dated in comparison.
The Serenity is lower and more car-like than the Murano, what Nissan refers to as a next-generation multipurpose sedan at 61.0 inches in overall height, but what I see as kind of a cross between a modern day sport wagon and extra-large hatchback cum minivan. A minivan? Its the sliding side "swing doors" and vertical rear liftgate that endear it to this genre. And after all its Nissan that has recently been changing perceptions of a minivans sporting potential with its new Quest.
But Japans number two automaker seems to be on a new "quest" lately, attempting to celebrate its Japanese heritage by crafting new concepts with styling details inspired by all thats good in the land of the rising sun. The carmaker refers to this direction as the inclusion of "Japanese DNA," something I have to admit would be refreshing considering that the majority of the lands carmakers have spent decades imitating European designs.
Theres also a certain tranquil quality to Japanese architecture, for instance, a simple elegance that would transfer over to automotive applications nicely. At the same time theres a willingness from the countrys car designers to experiment, the courage to attempt outlandish new concepts way outside of convention, despite the worldwide criticism from automotive elitists that often follows the Tokyo motor shows radical adventures in creativity.
On that subject the Serenitys headlight clusters might be the tallest vertical-style lamps ever created, continuing the pattern started by the stylized "D" and "C" shaped grille openings right back to the base of the A-pillars. Splitting the grille is a nose that seems more akin to a new Mitsubishi or even a classic Renault, the Japanese automakers partial parental overseer, than anything from Nissan, but in some ways follows the companys new bisected grille styling theme. Nissan describes the cars "front mask" as "suggestive of Kabuki facial make-up," further stating that its appearance results from "a fusion of essential functionality with a distinct Japanese pattern like that seen in latticework". Very thin, horizontal engine and brake cooling ducts are tastefully applied to the lower front fascia, following what looks at first to be a less is more design theme.
From profile its less than simple greenhouse pulls cues from the new Titan pickup and Armada full-size SUV, notching upward three-quarters through the front door windows and back downward three-quarters along the rear doors, a creative way to add a distinguishing line to windows that could otherwise have appeared nondescript. Once again Nissan describes this design detail as pulling inspiration from Japanese culture, this time the shape of the side windows having been inspired by the countrys folding fans, an interesting idea but something I, as a Westerner, wouldnt have caught onto. The triangulated rear quarter windows are also unique styling elements, pointing upward similar in context to the Murano but much bolder in execution.
The tall taillights integrate a unique geometric design into their lenses, while offering about as much rear end real estate as possible to the important job of warning tailgating drivers to back off. The rear window features a trapezoidal shape that is becoming almost commonplace in new car design these days, but the angular exhaust tips that continue the lights shape just below are all original in design. At liftgate central the thick spine of formed sheetmetal that raises the brands logo is all new-age Nissan.
Like the exterior, the cabin features accents inspired by Japanese culture, such as "ink paintings, cherry blossoms and wave-like patterns," or so the companys literature states. It features a two-tone interior color scheme that features cherry beige and contrasting dark gray. The colors are supposed to exude a relaxed ambience, similar in context to the interior of a finely appointed Japanese home.
A spine of office furniture-style woodwork separates left from right-side passengers; an interesting solution for creating individual space that if considered for production would be highly unlikely to make it past the safety police, hard-edged surfaces and all. The ink painting style wood-grain shows up elsewhere in the cabin, embellishing each door panel as well as spanning the width of the dash.
Styling aside the new concept is extremely functional, with room for six occupants inside and access to the rear rows via the sliding side swing doors I made mention of previously, that incidentally offer wide-open pillarless entry to 2nd and 3rd rows, plus easy access to the rearmost seating positions. The first two rows of seats, excepting the drivers, offer lounge chair buckets complete with extendable lower ottoman-like sections for resting the legs, not unlike the rear seats of DaimlerChryslers much lauded Maybach 62 luxury car that imitate first class seating of intercontinental airlines - British Airways comfortable but odd "dentist" chairs excluded.
The Serenitys seats are based on a "neutral posture" concept, offering a "natural balance of muscular force similar to what occurs in a weightless environment or in water". They recline to disperse body pressure throughout rather than producing negative pressure points that could otherwise strain the hip, spine or neck. The third row seat is tumbles under to stow away just like in modern minivans, providing a flat load floor for cargo.
That dash includes a racing car-type steering wheel and instrument pod, the former squared off at its edges and wrapped in leather and wood surfaces, to match the wood and leather of the console-mounted gearshift lever. The latter could be an effective solution for bringing important controls close to the drivers finger tips, simultaneously benefiting convenience and safety, while cutting costs by making the need to integrate the various controls into the dash area a non-issue. Shift-by-wire and steering-by-wire technologies make the high-tech instrument cluster possible, with the shifting and steering positions adjustable to the position of the drivers seat.
Nissan dubs the new layout 4 HMI, HMI referring to human-machines interfaces, something being touted for future production considerations. In detail, it features essential functions to be controlled through four steering wheel column mounted switches. An in-dash monitor incorporates touch actuation for making finer adjustments.
The entire top of the dash, just below the windshield, is made up of a shrouded "Horizontal Meter Unit" (HMU), a split-level gauge package consisting of a liquid crystal display (LCD) monitor and a transmissive electroluminescent (EL) display for monitoring vehicle functions. The massive structure spans 47.2 inches in width and 2.8 inches in height. Its placement should minimize the time it would normally take to glance at a conventional instrument cluster in comparison, which theoretically should improve safety. Once again this technology is similar to the production Quest minivan that integrates a digital display high on the dash at its center position. The Serenitys simply offers more digital space for additional functionality over and above the Quests vehicle speed and audio/HVAC readouts (and other driver gauges), such as rearview camera images provided by the All-Around View System.
Whats more the HMU system can pick up information from adjacent shops and businesses when set to its "City Browser" mode, a feature some will find wonderfully informative and others a little too intrusive. Like it or lump it, such force fed media will likely be a "service" automakers will offer as part of their navigation/GPS systems in the not too distant future, a profitable business model that could have us receiving annoying cheeseburger, fries and drink two-for-one ads along with really appreciated notifications about sale priced gasoline.
Adverts aside, the real benefit to the general layout of the HMU and HMI units is a clean and serene surrounding area befitting the vehicles Serenity nameplate, completely uncluttered by the various buttons that usually crowd into conventional dash areas and center stacks - the latter not part of this concepts interior design.
Designed to enhance the life the passengers, the Serenity features an "Individual AV System" for each of the second row seating positions. I feel for those families with three children, whose third row passengers would go without a monitor. The infighting such a system would cause would have me opting for the Quests best-in-class dual roof-mounted monitors instead. Just the same individual monitors allow smaller families to simultaneously watch different DVDs or play favorite games. Flat speakers embedded in the front seat headrests have been optimized to reduce sound leakage to the adjacent passenger, with headphones still being part of the package Im sure despite their not being mentioned. The second row seats also feature a Bodysonic sound system which is supposed to increase real-life presence such as in a movie theater.
It wouldnt be a Nissan without delivering strong performance, therefore the brands ubiquitous VQ35 engine, that powers just about every car in its production lineup in various stages of tuning, is part of package. Whether featuring 245-hp, such as in the Murano SUV, or 287-hp as in the racy 350Z sports car, is really not whats important. What does matter is the engines bullish 246 to 270 lb-ft of torque, depending on the production vehicle referenced, is perfect for transporting six passengers and luggage in sporting fashion.
Nissan delivers serene power delivery via its XTRONIC CVT continuously variable transmission, the same as in the Murano. Ive tested it quite a few times and consider it to be among the best of the current crop of CVTs, and a perfect match to the engine. It also improves the Muranos fuel economy by reducing driveline friction.
The suspension is all independent, being based on Nissans capable FF-architecture as used in the Altima and Maxima sedans, Murano SUV and Quest minivan, but featuring large diameter 225/45R19 performance tires to improve at-the-limit handling.
While the Serenity wasnt necessarily designed with the North American market in mind, the reason it debuted in Tokyo rather than Detroit, it points to a new proud-to-be-Japanese direction in design philosophy that could very well influence the styling of future Nissans the world over. Does it intrigue you? Thats a question the brand will no doubt attempt to answer before changing its highly successful current formula that has Americans snatching up new Nissan/Infiniti products with verve. Success does have its limitations.