Nissan was the sixth largest automaker in the world behind Toyota, General Motors, Volkswagen AG, Hyundai Motor Group, and Ford in 2010. It formerly marketed vehicles under the “Datsun” brand name.
As of 2011, the company’s global headquarters is located in Nishi-ku, Yokohama.
In 1999, Nissan entered a two way alliance with Renault S.A. of France, which owns 43.4% of Nissan while Nissan holds 15% of Renault shares, as of 2008. Along with its normal range of models, Nissan also produces a range of luxury models branded as Infiniti.
The Nissan VQ engines, of V6 configuration, have been featured among Ward’s 10 Best Engines for 14 straight years.
Today we are discussing about the New concept from Nissan, the all new – 2012 Nissan Terra SUV Concept!
The Nissan TeRRA SUV concept will be unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show on Sep 27, which combines two outstanding Nissan strengths – SUVs and EVs, in a vehicle that is equally in its element off-road in the wild or gliding silently through a sophisticated urban setting. With an innovative 4×4 fuel-cell electric powertrain and an athletic exterior that projects an unforgettable presence beyond its compact dimensions, TeRRA takes sustainable motoring into exciting new territory.
“Our challenge was to take Nissan’s strength in SUVs and crossovers forward into the zero-emissions era, fuel cells being our new frontier in zero emission mobility” said Francois Bancon, Nissan’s devision general manager of product strategy and planning. “Not big and tough for the desert, the aim was a new approach to SUVs that’s relevant to urban life. The unique diagonal seating layout that offers an exciting driving experience thanks to exceptional visibility that creates a sense of being in control under any conditions.”
Nissan describes the Terra as a ‘compact, zero-emission SUV’. It has three electric motors, which are powered by a hydrogen fuel cell stack located under the boot floor.
Each of the rear wheels has an in-wheel electric motor. Power and performance figures haven’t been released.
Powering the front wheels is the electric propulsion system currently featured in the Nissan LEAF. In each back wheel, providing all-wheel power as needed, is an in-wheel electric motor,this is completely based on the working prototypes which are featured in three successive PIVO concepts. Just because no drive shafts are required to power the rear wheels, there is no hump in the cabin floor or on the underbody. This allows for the flat cabin deck and the underside bodypan.
Under the hood is ample space for Nissan’s proprietary hydrogen fuel cell stack, a flat, highly compact unit that features world-leading power density of 2.5kW/L. The latest in a series of Nissan fuel cells since 1996, the stack costs just one-sixth of its 2005 predecessor as the need for expensive precious metals has been slashed to one-quarter of the previous level.
The Terra’s futuristic exterior design is echoed by a cabin that has ‘Nordic themes’ and uses blonde wood, acrylics and metals.
The door panel is a fusion of blond wood trim and coloured acrylic, layered in an fascinating pattern. Ringing the cabin at shoulder height is a metal frame, the wood/metal contrast continues across the dashboard, a beechwood-acrylic fusion that exudes a soft warmth. On the driver’s side, the steering and instrument console gently tapers out toward the driver, barely interrupting the clean lines of the dash.
Inside, facing the driver is a unique instrument cluster. It’s an electronic tablet,that serves as an “intelligent key.” The driver can dock it when entering the car and remove it when leaving. When docked in TeRRA, the tablet’s default view displays speed and other key performance indicators. As well as the driver can easily toggle to entertainment, communications, navigation and other views. Outside the car it provides all the functions we expect from a tablet, plus it stays continually in touch with the vehicle.
Well this makes us say that, in a generation where concept cars are being launched on large scale, this one from Nissan would steal our imagination! and would offer us with utmost safety and pleasure of driving!
