The Nissan Terra concept will be presented on September 27 at the Paris Hall 2012. This combines two of Nissan's main concepts, the SUVs and the EVs. With an innovative electrical propulsion system of fuel batteries and an athletic exterior design, the Terra carries sustainable mobility to a new and exciting territory.
The Terra is raised as the "only zero emission SUV" and is designed as a present and future option for young customers.
"Our challenge was to extend Nissan's strength and experience even more in the SUVs and in the crossovers, with a new vehicle in the era of zero emissions, the fuel batteries being our new border in the mobility of zero emissions," said François Bancon, CEO Nissan of Product Strategy and Planning. "The objective was a new SUVS approach, more thought for urban life than for the desert sand. The unique diagonal seat design offers an exciting driving experience thanks to its exceptional frontal visibility, transmitting a feeling of total control in any condition."
A robust interior and a warm and cozy cabin
"We are inspired by the lifestyle of the youth of northern Europe," explains Shiro Nakamura, vice-senior president of Nissan and responsible for the creative office. "We listen to your aspiration to sustainable mobility that could be taken where they would like to go."
"Inspired by the great natural spaces for external design, we have redefined the strength of our SUV heritage in a much more athletic way to express our vision of a future of zero emissions," adds Nakamura.
We have the big wheels, the high waist line, the fine pillars and the narrow side windows of the SUV language. But with a narrow waist among the pronounced bumpers next to the wheel steps and a sculptural hood we have created an "implicit structure" that suggests a forceful muscles under the skin of the car. Extreme profiled, short blasting and sculpted headlights contribute to a clean and forceful presence. An aerodynamic lower panel painted in a contrasted attractive color completely protects the low of the vehicle and completes the image of what we have called "modern robustness."
When opening the door, a warm and cozy interior is perceived. The door panel is a clear sculptural fusion and an acrylic coloration that configure a surprising finish. Wrapping the cabin at shoulder height, a metal structure provides the occupants of the Terra with a great sense of security. The contrast between wood and metal continues on the dashboard, a fusion of acrylic material and beech wood transmits soft warmth. On the driver's side, the steering wheel and instrument console flow slightly to the driver without hardly interrupting the clean dashboard lines.
Continuity in the digital space
in front of the driver, the instrument panel is unique. It is an electronic tablet similar to the popular portable devices that also serves as "smart key." The driver connects it when he reaches the car and takes it when he leaves.
When connected to the Terra, the tablet projects the indications on the speed and other relevant information on the operation of the vehicle but the driver can easily use it as a source of entertainment, communication or navigation. Outside the car, it provides all the traditional functions of a tablet but also remains in contact with the vehicle. The idea is to have continuous information and communication, both on the road and anywhere else.
A new road perspective
The driver's driver sits in the front, almost in the center in a novel diagonal arrangement that positions the rear passengers over the backs of those in front instead of directly behind.
"For the driver, being almost centered and not in a tilted position provides a novel situation with great visibility," explains Nakamura. "The diagonal disposition allows passengers to share adventure vision inside the car."
The seats themselves have a hexagonal motive reproduced in different design elements. If the three passenger seats are notified, the Terra floor is completely flat and without obstacles to loading bicycles, kayaks ... or the furniture to ride oneself so typical of Scandinavia. This flat surface is the result of the compact propulsion system that equips this concept of zero emissions.
Power, 4x4 and zero emissions
Although the Terra has been raised more as a design project than as a technological showcase, its proposal for the electric 4x4 propulsion system is far from being only the result of the imagination.
Under the front hood and operating the front axle we find an electrical propulsion system that currently mounts the Nissan Leaf. In each rear wheel, thus providing integral traction when necessary, we find another electric motor of the "In-Wheel" type based on the prototypes of engines seen in the three successive concepts cars pivo. When you do not need transmission trees to move the rear wheels, there is no need to design a tunnel that crosses the cabin or passes below it. Thanks to this, the flat floor and the integral fairing of the bass are achieved.
Below the trunk floor there is enough space to host the hydrogen fuel battery developed by Nissan, a flat and really compact unit that achieves the best power density in the world with 2.5 kW/L. Last evolution of a long series of fuel batteries initiated in 1996, this unit costs only a sixth part of its 2005 predecessor since the need for precious metals in its preparation has been reduced to a quarter.
The Terra is a pure concept that, however, demonstrates that Nissan is ready to produce electric fuel cell vehicles in a massive way at the time the hydrogen availability is much wider.
