Nissan Sport Sedan Concept hints at future Maxima/Almera design?

The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept made its debut at the 2014 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. It is said to embody sports car performance standards in a 4-door sedan. Together with the Resonance and Friend-ME concepts, the Sport Sedan Concept previews Nissan’s next-generation exterior and interior design evolution.

“Nissan’s design language is our brand promise – Innovation and Excitement for Everyone – rendered in metal,” said Nissan Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura.

“We are continually pushing the envelope, as the Sport Sedan Concept shows. It is a car that is more emotional, more exciting and that provides a strong hint of the design direction we are taking.”

The strong front end is marked by Nissan’s “V-Motion” movement, which flows from the front grille through the bonnet to create an impressive cadence and emotional attitude. The unique boomerang-shaped lighting signature also accentuates the rear designs of the vehicle.

The innovative “floating” roof, also featured prominently on Resonance, Friend-ME and the new Sport Sedan Concept, is said to give a sense of lightness and sophistication. The thin, sculpted pillars make the cabins of each concept appear less heavy and help open the greenhouse for an airy, inviting interior environment.

Resonance, Friend-ME and Sport Sedan Concept also share an edgy muscularity, derived from their low, wide stances with tires placed far out to the corners. The designs also utilize short front and rear overhangs, reduced ground clearances and small gaps between wheels and fenders. The resulting look imparts a sporty and athletic strength, rather than brute and aggressive force.

While not mentioned in Nissan’s press kit, the Sport Sedan Concept could hint at the next-generation Maxima/Almera design as its dimension is very close to the current Maxima at 191.7 in. (4,870 mm) long, 75.3 in. (1,912 mm) wide, 54.3 in. (1,378 mm) tall, with a wheelbase of 111.2 in. (2,825 mm).

Inside, the concept provides private-yet-connected spaces for drivers and passengers. The high tech, streamlined feel of each interior derives from a combination of magnetic detailing and use of high-contrast interior colours and materials.

“These distinctive design aspects will be applied to all future Nissan models,” Nakamura concludes.

“Nissan design will possess consistency and diversity which covers all body types, from sedan to crossovers.”

Besides talking plenty about the design, Nissan’s press release mentions that the study comes with a retuned version of its 3.5-liter V6 producing more than 220kW backed by a sport-tuned Xtronic CVT driving the front wheels (21-inch all around), and that the car “features an innovative suspension layout with performance dampers”.