Nissan is shining

IF SUPERMAN were to ask Bruce Wayne to build him a supercar, the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo in space-age Martian red would be it. It has the radical length and stunning form of Batmobile as seen in Tim Burton’s flick “Batman Returns.” Complete with Nissan’s signature V-Motion grille design and hood vents plus the iconic four round taillights, design allusion to GT-R, like these superheroes in spandex, the Nissan Concept 2020 Vision Gran Turismo is as sexy from behind as in the front.

This futuristic front engine two-door coupe is definitely the perfect car to commemorate the 15th anniversary of the eponymous game, “Gran Turismo.” And in one of its rare nonvirtual appearances, it graces Nissan’s booth during the 44th Tokyo Motor Show (TMS) which ran from Oct. 30 to Nov. 8.

“Nissan is a technology powerhouse,” said Nissan president and global CEO Carlos Ghosn during media launch of TMS on Oct. 28. “Nissan’s forthcoming technology will revolutionize the relationship of the car and the driver and future of mobility. Breakthrough technology is changing the way we live.”

Ghosn recalled how five years ago Nissan introduced crossover segment of sports car and sport utility vehicle that gave rise to design fusion candies like Murano, X-Trail, Juke, and pretty soon, the Gripz.

“The Nissan Gripz Concept Hybrid series shows us where we will be leading the crossover segment next; it sends a deep signal that we will not be complacent in this high growth segment. We see a tremendous opportunity to bring the world’s best crossover,” Ghosn added.

The Nissan Gripz Concept is a groundbreaking compact crossover that features Nissan’s Series Hybrid powertrain, Pure Drive e-Power, and the same high-capacity electric motor equipped on Nissan Leaf.

The Gripz, with its orange-black two-toned motif dominating Nissan’s stage, has front scissor doors, reminiscent of Lamborghini, and rear doors, hinged on the opposite end which pushes the design borders all the more, making it a total head-turner.

“We have been leading in crossover in the world with X-Trail and soon Juke, which will arrive in the Philippines by January,” claimed Antonio Zara, president of Nissan Philippines Inc. “And now with Gripz, with its emotional geometry design and unique proportion, we are hopeful that it would go into production soon.”

Intelligent Driving is Nissan’s concept of autonomous drive technology and represents what Nissan believes next-generation vehicles should be. “Nissan Intelligent Driving improves a driver’s ability to see, think and react. It compensates for human error, which causes more than 90 percent of all car accidents. As a result, time spent behind the wheel is safer, cleaner, more efficient and more fun,” Ghosn said.

Sharing the stage with Gripz was the Nissan IDS Concept.

Based on Nissan Leaf, the top-selling electric vehicle (EV) of all time with 200,000 units sold since its launch in 2010, Nissan IDS is a combination of advance vehicle control and safety technologies with cutting-edge artificial intelligence.

It features two modes:

Manual Drive and Piloted Drive, where the AI reads and assesses traffic rules, road signs and conditions, predicts the next occurrences, and decides based on safety, comfort and enjoyment.

It has the capacity to learn driver’s style, preferences and personal needs—like departure times, driving routes and even restaurant options based on driver’s data.

“With IDS, people will feel more secure because they have more control and ability to select,” Ghosn said. “If you are stuck in traffic, you can switch to Piloted Drive mode which can manage stop-and-go traffic. You can stay in the course while you catch up on e-mail or have a video conference.”

Even when the driver selects Piloted Drive and turns over driving to the vehicle, the car’s performance—from accelerating to braking to cornering—imitates the driver’s own style and preferences.

In Manual Drive mode, the driver has control. The linear acceleration and cornering are pure and exhilarating. Yet behind the scenes, the Nissan IDS Concept continues to provide assistance. Sensors continually monitor conditions and assistance is available even while the driver is in control. In the event of imminent danger, Nissan IDS Concept will assist the driver in taking evasive action.

By 2016, Piloted Drive 1.0, which can handle single lane, stop-and-go traffic in heavy volumes, will be ready. By 2018, the update should allow the car to change lanes; by 2020, full-autonomous urban-driving.

Ghosn revealed EVs will remain essential in advancing in autonomous driving system because EVs can be controlled down to the smallest details.

“By combining EV and autonomous driving technologies, Nissan is moving to a zero emission and zero fatality future for car transportation,” Ghosn said.

On the other hand, Teatro for Dayz Concept, is a hip, millennial take on Nissan Dayz, a tall wagon-type minicar with small (less than 700 cc) engine but terrific fuel savings (29 kilometers per liter). This minicar, however, is full EV and works like a digital gadget—everything is customizable from the dashboard to the seats, interior, as well as exterior LED panels.

“Teatro for Dayz Concept is more than EV vehicle; it’s a nifty electronic device especially designed for Japan’s next generation—the shared natives,” Ghosn said.

“They never know a world without Internet, mobile devices, e-mail or social media. This car is a versatile tool in connecting with friends like a smartphone. It has a clean canvas for creating and communicating shared open experiences, together in person or virtually,” Ghosn added.

“Out true driving force is innovation,” Zara said. “The Tokyo Motor Show is a showcase of Nissan’s technology and what it can offer today and tomorrow.”