Nissan SSS Concept

Enayah, whose automotive portfolio includes working for GM and a variety of SEMA projects, shares his dream of what a Nissan-branded rival for the Subaru BRZ, Scion FR-S and Toyota GT 86 would look like with a design study named the SSS Concept.

Here’s how Enayah describes his project:

"I have been struggling to find the perfect car for me to drive as I make a 120 mile round trip to work I am looking at the Mustang GT, and the Subaru BRZ (sold also as Scion and Toyota FR-S). I am not too excited about the Mustang’s Gas mileage for my trip, and not too fond of FR’s styling, and by the way the 370Z is way out of my price range."

"So I decided to start designing my dream commuter hoping that Nissan could get inspired again to bring the SSS back. This car is my rendition of the SSS which I named 010 it is a V6 rear wheel drive I would like it to have a base price around $24,500, 250 HP and 3100 Lb."

Well, we're not sure about the V6 engine option, but we could definitely see a sports coupe like the SSS fitted with a four-cylinder turbocharged engine and RWD placed right under the 370Z, both in terms of performance and pricing, in Nissan's range.

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Nissan Extreme Concept

The Extrem is the first concept car from Nissan designed specifically for and produced in Brazil to underscore the company's commitment to the country where it recorded a significant sales growth claiming almost two per cent of the market in 2011, doubling its 2010 deliveries, and aims to account for five per cent of new car sales by 2016.

Nissan Design America (NDA) in San Diego, California, penned the small 2+2 crossover in collaboration with Brazilian designers

"We call it Baby Beast," said Robert Bauer, Senior Design Manager for the project at NDA. "We see it as an urban rally car, a tough little street fighter that can handle the urban jungle with agility and confidence."

The concept is based on Nissan's V-platform shared with cars like the North American Versa sedan and the global market Micra / March supermini.

At 3,850mm (151.6 inches) long, 1,765mm (69.5 inches) wide and 1,530mm (60.2 inches) tall, with a 2.450mm (96.5 inches) wheelbase, the Extrem is much smaller than the Juke (4,125mm or 162.4 in. long) all around.

It's design borrows elements from various Nissan models ranging from the GT-R's front grille and fenders with air vents to the 370Z's headlamp and roofline.

Power for the small 2+2 seater comes from Nissan's direct injection and turbocharged (DIG-T) 1.6-liter gasoline engine, with the automaker stating that the CUV could be offered with a choice of front or four-wheel drive with Torque Vectoring.

Nissan pointed out that the Extrem is "strictly a concept car with no immediate plans for production", but added that elements of its styling offers a glimpse into future products, for Brazil and beyond.

"EXTREM suggests that exotic and exciting design need not just be reserved for expensive cars. It shows that innovative, sophisticated design can be made in a clever, attainable way. EXTREM is one of our answers to this possibility and it opens an exciting new chapter in our design relationship with Brazil," said Shiro Nakamura, Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer.

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Nissan Hi-Cross Hybrid Crossover Concept

The Hi-Cross measures 4,660mm long, 1,850mm wide and 1,670mm tall. Thanks to its 2,780mm wheelbase, it has three rows of seats and can accommodate up to seven passengers.

The styling is more in line with Nissan’s other crossovers than the rather square X-Trail. The main highlights are the V-shaped grille, the “character line” that stretches from the bonnet to the front wings and continues all the way to the D-pillar, and the distinctive front and rear lights.

Andy Palmer, Nissan's Executive Vice President, commented: "Nissan created the crossover segment with the Murano and has expanded the genre with top selling cars like the Qashqai and Juke. The Hi-Cross Concept shows we are not sitting still, resting on our laurels, but exploring ways of cementing our crossover leadership by exploring new ideas."

While it’s debatable whether the Murano actually “discovered” the crossover segment, Nissan is indeed experimenting with other ideas as the Hi-Cross is powered by hybrid powertrain that combines a 2.0-liter direct injection gasoline engine with a new version of Nissan’s HEV technology.

Initially developed for front-wheel drive vehicles, the HEV system has been modified to provide four-wheel drive by being linked to Nissan’s new XTRONIC continuously variable transmission.

The crossover concept utilizes some of the all-electric technology found in the Leaf, mainly lithium-ion battery pack that is linked to an electric motor. The latter aids the internal combustion engine for maximum performance when needed and allows the Hi-Cross to operate in EV-mode only thus improving its fuel efficiency and minimizing CO2 emissions.

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2013 Nissan Invitation Concept

The Invitation essentially previews the Japanese automaker's next mainstream B-segment contender, which will go on sale in Europe early next year alongside the Micra supermini and the Juke crossover.

Given that Nissan's European offerings in the B-segment currently includes the 8-year old Note small MPV as well, it is only logical to assume that the Invitation will most likely act as its replacement.

The Invitation's design and shape leans more towards the hatchback category but with a taller roof that should provide a more airy cabin.

Nissan says that it is aiming for an "ultra-low CO2 emission target of under 100g/km" for the most fuel-efficient model of the series, though it doesn't offer any other details about the powertrain specs.

However, it is almost certain that the production version of the Invitation will be offered with the Micra DIG-S Turbo's 1,2 liter supercharged three-cylinder engine with direct injection technology, than can be coupled to either a manual gearbox or a CVT.

Other highlights include the first application of Nissan’s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) safety technology on a B-segment model, while the concept also incorporates the Nissan Safety Shield Technologies, which interacts with the driver to keep him or her aware of what is happening around the vehicle.

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