A Glimpse Of Nissan's Next Design Direction
Possibly in hopes of reminding the assembled writers that the Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is not the future of the brand’s design, part of the CC launch was spent at Nissan Design North America where we were shown a clay model representing some of the design cues that could appear on future Nissan sedans. The designer we spoke to was careful to point out that this is neither an official concept nor “the next Altima,” but rather an exploration of the evolving Nissan design language. For example, the Z-car’s “boomerang” taillights, which have spread to vehicles like the Maxima, Juke and Murano CC are now found in the headlights of this unfinished clay model. The “J-line” kick-up where the beltline meets the C-pillar is also on display. Otherwise, there are also some unusually organic, flowing forms that have yet to debut on a production Nissan. I’m not sure this next-generation design answers all the questions floating around about the Nissan brand, but it’s an interesting look at the direction Nissan design is headed.
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I see the next Sentra in that clay model. Good thing the Sentra is not something I would consider for my next car.
As nearly everyone else said, Nissan's "new design direction" looks a lot like eveyone else's new design direction. Yes, at 70 mph, this "fluid" design may offer welcome aerodynamic advantages, but what about in towns, around suburbia and in mall parking lots where better visibility would be advantageous? Also, the steeply raked windshield that seems to be gaining in design popularity is reflective, glary, fogs under some conditions and requires a contortionist to keep clean on the inside. Aerodynamics isn't the only functional characteristic that bears watching.