Nissan Concept Car reviews

The Nissan GT-R (X) 2050 is a futuristic concept car based on the R35-generation Nissan GT-R. But unlike the production model, the GT-R (X) 2050 wasn’t designed by Nissan. This concept was penned by Jaebum Choi, a student from the ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. Choi, who also started an internship at Nissan Design America based the styling of his "wearable machine," a futuristic concept that would have the ability to connect to the human brain to provide better performance, on the latest-generation GT-R. As a result, Nissan decided to build a 1:1 scale model and show it to the world.

The Nissan Frontier Desert Runner doesn’t have the racing pedigree of the Nissan Global Time Attack TT 370Z or the sheer tuning audacity of the Nissan Kicks Street Sport, but if you’re looking for a rugged version of Nissan’s long-standing pickup with some serious off-road chops, the Frontier Desert Runner should be right up your alley. Developed by the Nissan Motorsports team in collaboration with MA Motorsports, the Frontier Desert Runner is teeming with purpose-specific upgrades that help enhance the pickup’s already impressive form and functionality. Nissan has yet to give any indication of potential production plans for the tricked-out pickup, but that could come soon if there’s decent enough demand for it. For now, though, the Nissan Frontier Desert Runner takes center stage at the 2019 SEMA Auto Show.

The 2019 Nissan Kicks Street Sport is a concept car developed by Nissan Motorsports and MA Motorsports for the 2019 SEMA Show. A more aggressive version of the small crossover, it looks a lot like a Nismo-built model thanks to its sportier stance and race-inspired upgrades inside the cabin. It even features a more powerful engine, although specific performance information is not available. Sadly, this beefed-up Kicks won’t come to a dealerships near you anytime soon. Here’s why you should be upset about it.

The 2019 Nissan Leaf Twin-Motor is an all-electric concept car that features two electric motors and all-wheel-drive capability. It’s heavily based on the existing second-generation Nissan Leaf, as it features an identical exterior and a lightly modified interior. Unveiled at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show, the twin-motor Leaf concept previews a new production car that’s already in the works. According to Nissan, this new drivetrain will enable a future EV to "achieve a huge leap in acceleration, cornering and braking performance, on par with the latest sports cars."

The Nissan Ariya Concept has arrived at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show. The all-electric crossover concept will take its place in Nissan’s booth in the show. But the Ariya Concept is far from a show car that will fall back into the shadows when the show ends. The Ariya Concept is a production-ready prototype that will eventually evolve to become Nissan’s second mass-market electric vehicle, joining the long-standing Leaf in that lineup. The production car — it will likely be called Ariya, too — will take plenty of cues from its concept counterpart. It’s not expected to hit the market until 2020, so for now, absorb everything you can absorb with the Ariya Concept. You’ll be seeing a lot more of the crossover in the near future.

About a decade ago, Nissan struck gold with the Nissan Leaf. The compact five-door hatchback was the automaker’s first-ever electric car, and it also happened to be one of the first mass-produced electric cars in the world. The Nissan Leaf was a pioneer, but now that it’s almost 10 years old, it’s also transitioned into a relic of sorts as newer and more advanced EVs have started hitting the market.

With the aging Leaf nearing its end date, Nissan is revisiting the successful blueprint it created a decade ago by introducing the IMk Concept, a small electric hatchback concept that’s pegged as a full-blown electric city commuter that packs a lot of Nissan’s new technologies. Does the concept point to Nissan’s future plans in the EV sphere? Could Nissan trap lightning in a bottle for a second time with the IMk Concept? We’ll find the answers to these questions at the 2019 Tokyo Motor Show when the IMk Concept makes its world debut.

The Nissan IMq is a concept crossover that the Japanese firm unveiled at the 2019 Geneva Motor Show.Part of a series of IM-badged concepts that also include the IMs and IMx, the IMq previews an upcoming subcompact crossover, likely the second-generation Juke, but also "signals the direction" of Nissan’s next generation of SUVs.

"Its styling reflects Nissan’s role as a pioneer and leader in crossovers, with a striking look that pushes the boundaries of what a European crossover can be," Nissan said, suggesting that the production version of the IMq will be Euro-spec only. This strengthens the scenario that it may preview a new Juke, which was replaced by the Kicks in the United States in 2018. On the other hand, it could also be a preview for the third-generation Qashqai, due in 2020. In the U.S., the Qashqai is sold as the Rogue Sport.

At the Nissan USA stand at the Chicago Motor Show we had the chance to see a rather surprising and intimidating truck called the Nissan Titan K2 Rocky Ridge Concept. It is a lifted Titan truck, engineered by Rocky Ridge, specialists in “making big bad lifted trucks” with more than 30 years of experience. Although revealed in concept guise, let me tell you that the Rocky Ridge Titan K2 is ready to pounce. The Georgia-based truck magicians made sure of it with a comprehensive set of additions that made this Titan K2 Rocky Ridge Concept as tough and as terrifying as possible. This is what we learned about it at the Show.

The São Paulo Motor Show in Brazil is always a good place to find interesting models that don’t usually make their way to the U.S. Nissan is known for having a big presence in the event, and this year’s no different. The Japanese automaker brought the Frontier Sentinel Concept — we call it the Navarra here — to The Land of Drizzle. The Frontier Sentinel is a rescue concept truck is described as “sturdy enough to go on missions in the most extreme and remote areas.” In other words, it would make for a sweet ride in the U.S., provided Nissan makes it production-ready in the first place.

The 2018 SEMA show is here, and Nissan is headed to Vegas with a newly tuned iteration of its aging 370Z sport compact coupe. This latest build combines a selection of parts plucked from the factory, and the aftermarket, as well as a smattering of custom one-off, fabricated pieces that “may appear someday alone or packaged together at Nissan dealership parts departments.” Sounds great, but how does it fare amongst the best of the best in the desert?

The Nissan Kicks will be in attendance at the 2018 SEMA Auto Show, except that it’s not actually the Kicks in the traditional sense. The SEMA-bound Kicks also goes by the name “Sound Machine” for reasons that are pretty obvious if you’ve seen what it looks like. The Kicks Sound Machine is a DJ booth on four wheels that Nissan created with the help of Hollywood-based Vehicle Effects. The vehicle made its debut at the 2018 BET Awards back in July, but those attending SEMA will get to see it for the first time, including the bazillion speakers it has at its disposal.

Days after Land Rover showcased a one-off Discovery Sport that was developed specifically for the Austrian Red Cross, Nissan is doing the same for the American Red Cross with the introduction of the Ultimate Service Titan. As its name implies, the Ultimate Service Titan isn’t your typical Nissan Titan pickup. It’s a mobile command center that’s developed to respond to disasters and emergencies without breaking stride. The Nissan Ultimate Service Titan is the latest manifestation of a partnership between Nissan and the American Red Cross, one that, in the last five years alone, has raised $2.5 million in donations for the Red Cross. You can add the Nissan Ultimate Service Titan to that list now. The one-off emergency response vehicle debuted at the Miami Auto Show.

Based on the familiar Nissan Navara pickup truck, the Dark Sky concept is a mobile astronomy lab equipped with a state-of-the-art telescope mounted in a bespoke off-road trailer. Unveiled at the Hannover Motor Show in Germany, the Dark Sky concept was developed in the U.K. in collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA).

The concept car showcases how a truck like the Navara could support the ESA’s intense efforts to map the stars by helping astronomers conduct follow-up observations from hard-to-reach locations. Of course, the Dark Sky concept won’t become a production model, but Nissan will donate the telescope "to pass on the spirit of exploration and adventure, and to inspire and educate future generations." In addition to the bespoke trailer, the Navara also boasts unique features and technology that’s not available on the production truck. Find out more in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan Navara Dark Sky Concept.

While it might be a world-class performance icon, the Nissan GT-R was never really considered “pretty.” However, that all changes with the introduction of the one-off GT-R50 prototype, a collaborative effort between Nissan and the legendary Italian design house, Italdesign. Built to commemorate the overlapping 50th anniversary of both the Skyline GT-R nameplate and the birth of Italdesign, the GT-R50 is rolling eye candy laid atop an engineering masterpiece, bringing form and function into stunning harmony.

Updated 08/27/2018: We added a new series of images taken during the car’s official presentation at the 2018 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan GT-R50 by Italdesign.

Remember the Nissan Armada Snow Patrol from the 2018 Chicago Auto Show? Well, Nissan is moving from cold to hot with the new Nissan Armada Mountain Patrol – a concept designed for the rugged outdoors with everything you need to survive outside of a built-in fire pit and a toilet. It’s even powered by Nissan’s 5.6-liter V-8 with some 390 horsepower on tap and an 8,500-pound towing capacity. So what all does this concept offer and why do you wish Nissan would offer it as a production model? Keep reading to find out.

There’s a prevalent belief within automotive circles that the Nissan 370Z is in dire need of an update. The current version of the sports coupe has been on the market since 2009. That’s a long time for any car, let alone one that belongs in a niche segment. As the clamoring for a next-gen 370Z grows louder, Nissan has apparently been listening all along. All this time, the Japanese automaker was actually developing a new 370Z. The only problem is it’s not the 370Z replacement we’re expecting.

Feast your eyes on this creation. It’s a Nissan 370Z…on skis. Nissan calls it the 370Zki, and it’s actually something the automaker is bringing to the 2018 Chicago Auto Show later this month. I don’t suppose it’s the version of the 370Z that we’ve all been waiting for. On the bright side, it is a positively cool creation, at least once you get past the awkwardness of seeing the compact sports car sitting on snowmobile equipment.

Stars Wars: The Last Jedi is hitting theaters next week, and like in year’s past, Nissan is hitching its wagon on the monolithic movie franchise. We saw the fruits of that partnership last year with the launch of the Nissan Rogue One Edition. This year, Nissan and LucasFilms are upping the ante by launching a whole fleet of Stars Wars-inspired creations, including the vehicle you see here.

This is a Nissan Titan, or at least it was until it was redesigned to look more like one of those giant AT-M6 Walker bots that the First Order deployed against the Resistance in The Force Awakens. The overall look and the details that went into creating the Titan Star Wars is a feast for the senses. We should give credit to Vehicle Effects for making this transformation. The California-based company is famous in Hollywood circles for building some of the best cars to hit the silver screen, including all the vehicles in The Fast and Furious and Marvel Cinematic Universe franchises. In addition to the Titan, Vehicle Effects also created the Nissan Altima Special Forces TIE Fighter, Nissan Maxima Kylo Ren, Nissan Maxima Kylo Ren’s TIE Silencer, Nissan Maxima Captain Phasma, Nissan Rogue Poe Dameron’s X-Wing with BB8, and Nissan Rogue Sport A-Wing.

Continue after the jump to read more about the Nissan Star Wars Edition

Back in 2013, Nissan unveiled the IDx concept, getting everyone excited about a competitor for the Toyota 86 and a revival of the iconic Datsun 510. But that didn’t happen as of 2017, with Nissan going back and forth with the idea. Four years have passed, and the Japanese firm returned with a new concept car using a similar nameplate. the IMx. But, while it sports a similar badge, the new concept, which made its debut at the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show, is actually entirely different in terms of layout and technology.

To be more specific, the IDx was a tribute to the Datsun 510, a compact sports car that made a name for itself on both public roads and race tracks, the IMx is a sleek crossover that provides a glimpse into the future of Nissan Intelligent Mobility, or the company’s approach to how cars are "powered, driven, and integrated with society." In simpler terms, it previews the brand’s upcoming electric drivetrain and autonomous system. It also hints at Nissan’s future design language, which may bring sleeker, sportier SUVs in showrooms.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan IMx concept.

The Nissan Leaf has been around since 2010, and it’s already one of the most popular all-electric vehicles on the road. The Japanese compact has been declared the best-selling EV in both 2013 and 2014 and sales have already surpassed 250,000 units as of 2017. On top of that, it has won numerous awards globally. Come 2017, and Nissan has launched the second-generation Leaf, a significantly improved vehicle that’s not only more appealing to look at, but also a better competitor to brand-new EVs like the Chevrolet Bolt and Tesla Model 3. And it seems that the second-gen Leaf may finally spawn a Nismo version. Or at least this is what the Leaf Nismo Concept that was built for the 2017 Tokyo Motor Show suggests.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed for production, the Leaf Nismo Concept seems ready to hit the assembly line, as every new feature it received is inspired by previous Nismo cars. As usual, it has a sportier exterior, while the interior is highlighted by contrast stitching and the Nismo-specific red trim. The drivetrain has also been upgraded with a new, sporty suspension and revised ECU. On the other hand, both the electric motor and the battery are as standard as they get, which raises some concern as to whether or not the production version of the Leaf Nismo will be an authentic Nismo vehicle or just an annoying visual package. But, let’s find out more about that in the review below.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan Leaf Nismo Concept.

Overlanding is growing from a niche market to the mainstream thanks to years of support from aftermarket manufacturers and the trendy idea of off-the-grid vacations. Nissan is tapping into the segment with this one-off custom Titan XD pickup designed to showcase the upgradability of the Titan XD with more than 60 aftermarket parts and accessories. The truck debuted at the 2017 Overland Expo West outside Flagstaff, Arizona where thousands gathered for the latest in overlanding gear.

Named Project Basecamp, this tricked-out Titan XD has been heavily modified to improve its off-road performance while carrying hundreds of pounds of equipment necessary for sustaining life miles away from civilization. The Cummins-powered Titan XD’s most prominent modifications include steel bumpers, fender flares, six-spoke wheels wrapped in 35-inch all-terrain Nitto tires, and the large cargo rack in the bed complete with a foldout tent. Fred Diaz, VP of Nissan America Trucks, said, “Overlanding is an exciting form of outdoor adventuring, taking participants into sometimes extreme terrain and climate conditions. We’re using the Project Basecamp to showcase the Titan XD PRO-4X model’s potential as the perfect platform for truck owners thinking of taking their adventures to the next level."

Continue reading for more information on Project Basecamp.

Bio-fuels have been around a while, just like the concept of hydrogen fuel cell-powered vehicle. Nissan is taking these two concepts and combining them into its Solid-Oxide Fuel Cell powertrain. But this is no theoretical lab experiment. No, Nissan has built a working model with its mid-size NV cargo van.

It’s called the e-Bio Fuel-Cell and it offers the benefits of a hydrogen fuel-cell without the need for compressed hydrogen gas and the complicated infrastructure required to handle it. Rather, the e-Bio Fuel-Cell runs on bio-ethanol harvested from corn or sugarcane and can be dispensed in liquid form the same way traditional gasoline and diesel fuels have been for the last century – at a filling station.

"The e-Bio Fuel-Cell offers eco-friendly transportation and creates opportunities for regional energy production… all the while supporting the existing infrastructure," says Nissan president and CEO, Carlos Ghosn. "In the future, the e-Bio Fuel-Cell will become even more user-friendly. Ethanol-blended water is easier and safer to handle than most other fuels. Without the need to create new infrastructure, it has great potential to drive market growth."

Nissan says this NV e-Bio Fuel-Cell concept van runs on 100 percent ethanol to charge a 24 kWh battery, which affords more than 373 miles of driving range via an electric drivetrain. And of course, it does this with a very small global impact. The little CO2 emissions generated by the e-Bio Fuel-Cell is offset by the growing process of the corn and sugarcane, effectively canceling out the vehicle emissions for an overall zero-emissions impact.

Continue reading for the full run-down and informative video.

The hard-edged slab of future tech you see before you is called the Bladeglider, and it’s Nissan’s latest effort in creating an all-electric performance machine that combines the frugality of zero emissions with the fun of adrenaline-inducing speed. It’s a prototype (if that wasn’t already abundantly obvious), but it’s already got all the equipment needed to take a spin out on the open road, including two 130-kW electric motors, a boatload of torque, and a tight, high-performance interior.

The Bladeglider was developed from a concept originally shown at the 2013 Tokyo Motor Show. That vehicle, which was also called the Bladeglider, came with a similar three-person cabin layout and all-electric drivetrain, but this latest prototype is the product of two years of development from the original.

Nissan says it represents “future technologies that will combine Intelligent Mobility, environmentally-friendly impact and sports car driving capabilities,” while Carlos Ghosn, the President and CEO at Nissan, calls it an “electric vehicle for car-lovers.”

So then – what makes this thing such a hoot to pilot, and more importantly, is there any chance of it ever reaching production? Read on to find out.

Continue reading to learn more about the Nissan Bladeglider Concept.