Nissan didn’t have as big of a presence as other automakers at the 2018 Detroit Auto Show. But that doesn’t matter. What it lacked in volume, Nissan made up for with the debut of the Xmotion, a concept SUV that’s meant to showcase what a future Nissan SUV could look like. The Xmotion generated a lot of reaction, though not all of them were of the positive nature.

2018 Nissan Xmotion Concept

Specifications
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  • Model: 2018 Nissan Xmotion Concept
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Pros
Cons

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Exterior

The exterior of the Nissan Xmotion Concept is a contrast in stylistic approach, something that Nissan intended to do from the beginning. According to the automaker, the concept “fuses Japanese culture and traditional craftsmanship with American-style utility.” In some ways, Nissan is right to give that description because the Xmotion does draw heavily from the two design languages. The result, though, leaves a lot to be desired.

I’m confused with the XMotion Concept, not because it’s ugly — it’s not — but because it didn’t accomplish what it intended to by combining Western and Eastern design philosophies. In a word, the concept’s extra is confusing. The front section suffers from this design approach because it looks bulky from some angles and edgy on others. The U-shaped headlights are a nice design touch, but its appeal is swallowed up the massive V-motion grille that dominates the conversation. The front bumper looks brash and the under-body guards are too big for the concept.

It's the same story with those wheels. Nissan describes them as 21-inch “mechanical tool-inspired” aluminum alloy wheels. The tires themselves don’t come separate to the wheels; they’re actually “laminated” over the wheels. It’s certainly a novel approach on how the industry can integrate wheels and tires in the future, but I’m not a fan of the finished product.

There are some good spots in the exterior of the Xmotion.The side and rear profiles of the concept are easier on the eyes. The retractable roof box also has a nice design touch, and the tail light design is something I’d want to see in a future production Nissan. But for the most part, the Xmotion is provocative, though not in the way Nissan intended.

Interior

As polarizing as the exterior of the Xmotion is, the interior looks very promising. Maybe it’s because Nissan opted to just use Japanese design themes as inspiration. The result is a more natural concept interpretation that I can fully get on-board with. There are some aspects that hilariously venture a little too far into a world of pure imagination. The seven digital screen portions are excessive, and the Japanese wood dashboard that was created using the kanawa tsugi wood joinery technique is unrealistic on a production level. Other than these two touches, the interior features elements that are intriguing.

The 4+2 passenger layout is interesting, and the ability to control the display and infotainment system with eye movements and gestures is promising from the standpoint of potential future integration.

Drivetrain

Nissan didn’t specify the kind of powertrain the Xmotion has. That’s probably because it doesn’t have any. The model is still a concept so certain liberties can be taken to stretch our imaginations.

It’s a different story if Nissan decides to build a production model. Should that happen, I think Nissan’s going to opt for either a hybrid or electric technology. My first inclination is a powertrain similar to the one the IMx crossover reportedly has, specifically two "high-output" motors, one for each axle, that produce 429 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque combined. The powertrain also has a high-capacity battery that’s supposed to return a driving range of more than 372 miles per charge.

Conclusion

I appreciate the boldness of the Nissan Xmotion. All concepts should carry a little bit of this approach because the very essence of concepts is to capture our imaginations. I’m not a fan of how the exterior turned out, but the interior looks like a promising look into the world of Nissan’s interior. I can’t speak for the engine and performance work of the concept because it doesn’t have any. All told, the Xmotion is an intriguing concept that did its job. It started discussions that turned into heated debates along the way. Like it or not, that’s the kind of reaction concepts should generate, to begin with.

References

New Nissan Xmotion Concept Is A Mess Of Different Ideas

Read more Nissan news.

Read more Detroit Auto Show news.