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The Ellure grille, with its large polished Nissan badge, was inspired by "Kamishino"
Samurai formal coat. Like all of the major chrome accents on the vehicle, the
grille slats combine brushed edges and bright surfaces to add a polished, almost
jewel-like surfacing. The headlights and taillights incorporate an effect like
the layering of fins or wings of a bird - condensed in some areas and spread out
in others.
A nod to traditional Japanese design can also be seen in the
Ellure's rear end, which is inspired by a "Torii" Shinto shrine gate. The sides
of the vehicle are dominated by large 90-degree opening doors with rear-hinged
rear doors for full panoramic interior access and easy ingress/egress.
Ellure's full tinted glass roof with integrated interior nighttime accent
lighting caps the "duality" of design - transitioning from sophisticated in
daylight and a somewhat wilder expression of light and movement at night.
The final accent to the Ellure exterior is the paint treatment. The "Geode"
White tri-coat mica paint features pearlescent/gold flake with a blue aspect
that varies in appearance by tone and temperature of light.
A "Molten"
Interior That Turns Up the Heat
Inside, Ellure's fluid movement of
shapes, and control of light and dark, continues with its highly emotive
environment. It is one space with two feelings - tailored by day, intimate and
inviting by night. The high-contrast, energized warmth of the space imparts an
almost molten, thermal energy, which is also captured in the tri-color scheme of
"Molten Ice," "Molten Steel" and "Molten Gray."
Picking up the "shock
wave" theme of the Ellure exterior, the dramatic instrument panel design flows
from door-to-door, seamlessly integrating with the door panels and blending into
the lounge-like rear seat to wrap the driver and passengers in an elegant and
passionate space. With clean, intuitive touch interfaces, the wide display panel
screens present information in a two-level layout, with information arranged by
priority of use. The chrome-free leather (eco tanning process) on instrument
panel offers a color gradation and use of heat repellent pigment to help reduced
glare and air conditioning compensation. The special truncated shape of the
steering wheel provides a clearer view of the instrument panel and display
screens.
The front seats are covered with a black eco-suede utilizing
recycled fibers (100% post industrial PET ultra microfiber). The seat design
itself uses transparent red acrylic seatback panels and low shoulder height to
reduce the usual "wall" between front and rear passengers. The front passenger
seat design includes a forward-facing ottoman, and both front seats include
elegant "floating headrests."
The "showpiece" of the interior is the
"floating" center console with a sculptural, see-through effect, white leather
covering and backlit red nighttime lighting. A console-mounted central
controller provides intuitive control for HVAC, audio, navigation and other
functions. The all-glass ceiling is embedded with special red mood lighting.
The three-person rear seat, covered in gray ultra-suede, provides the
roominess of sedan but the feeling of coupe. The "shock wave" carpeting design,
with rings of color radiating from center out, follows the topography of the
interior. The carpeting itself is made from handmade strips of 100% wool felt,
which is naturally water repellent.
Other interior features include
hidden audio system speakers embedded in doors and headrests, interior "alcove"
style, recessed lighting design and armrest touch controls with haptic feedback.
"We've provided a private and passionate inside space that the owner can
feel is completely her own. Not a hangout space in itself, we see the Ellure
interior as mobile social space hosted by the driver," adds Nakamura.
A Proposed Eco Drivetrain
Along with displaying Nissan's future sedan
design language, the new Ellure presents a conceptual preview of how future
Nissan sedans can balance the conflicting desires for fun-to-drive performance,
ample passenger/luggage utility and sustainable mobility.
The Ellure
drivetrain is conceived as a supercharged 2.5-liter inline 4-cylinder with
Intelligent Dual Clutch Control (one motor/two clutch design with lithium-ion
battery) and 25 kW electric motor, matched with an Xtronic CVT and front-wheel
drive. It would also include an independent suspension, regenerative braking,
and advanced drive-by-wire electric/hydraulic steering to make sure the driving
experience is as dynamic and rewarding as Ellure's physical properties.
Ellure also wears a "PURE DRIVE" badge, indicating it would be part of Nissan's
range of low CO2/low fuel consumption internal combustion engine or hybrid
vehicles.
PURE DRIVE vehicles use Nissan's most advanced technologies to
deliver to customers an optimal balance of top-level fuel consumption and value.
Nissan seeks to provide the right solution tailored to market circumstances and
customer needs.
The Sedan Re-Imagined
With lines that gain
energy as they move through the exterior, an interior that is as engaging as it
is inviting, and effortless technology embedded with intuitive intelligence,
Ellure stands as Nissan's latest expression of innovation for design.
"When all is said and done, the sedan will always be core to the Nissan product
portfolio. Our goal is to rejuvenate the sedan's attractiveness to buyers who
might have migrated to other segments, or who are coming reluctantly into the
category," adds Nakamura. "By respecting its strengths, while recognizing that
emotion is as critical as function, Ellure could well be the wave, or more
correctly the 'shock wave,' of future sedans."
Nissan Ellure Concept: Photo Gallery, Review (1/2) and Specifications