Nissan asked students from the ArtCenter College of Design in California to create “an iconic Nissan product” for 2033 – its 100th anniversary year – representing its “performance DNA”. The results are quite peculiar, with a variety of bodystyles and segments including a sporty SUV with GT-R branding.
The 14-week project resulted in nine different proposals, highlighted in short computer-generated videos. The students in the transportation design course of the Pasadena college worked with the help of their professors, with feedback and mentorship from Nissan’s design director and ArtCenter graduate Ken Lee and his team.
The resulting concepts were presented to David Woodhouse, vice president of Nissan Design America who was impressed by the spectrum of ideas saying it reflects the variety in Nissan’s range which includes everything from the kei cars to the GT-R. So let’s check out the concepts one by one.
More: 2024 Nissan GT-R Starting At $122,885 But If You Want The Nismo, It’ll Be Over $222k
GT-R Concept by Cui Jie: A sporty high-performance four-seater SUV inspired by the GT-R while adding the “practicality” of high ground clearance.
Companion Concept by Darren Hur: A flexible and modular concept designed for off-grid camping featuring an induction stove, seats that transform into a bed, and a pop-out cutting board.
Pal concept by Chuyi Chen: A sporty hatchback with a tiny footprint, a central seating position, and two more seats at the back.
On the Road concept by David He: An SUV with a convertible roof, sliding doors, transparent body panels, a practical boot, and a slide-out drawer at the front for strong gear.
Toki Concept by Michael Ge: A retro-futuristic four-seater sportscar with a three-box silhouette boasting increased ground clearance and autonomous tech.
Urban Vision Concept by Robin Kim: A tiny doorless urban vehicle with two transformative seats, covered wheels, a transparent roof, and opened sides.
Figaro Concept by Ruben Teverow: A city car inspired by the Nissan Figaro with a sporty and cute character, featuring rear-hinged butterfly doors and bench seats.
Sword & Chrysanthemum Concept by Stig Wang: A futuristic single-seater concept with an asymmetrical exterior featuring sharp lines, polygonal shapes, and sophisticated lighting.
Canyon Rider Concept by Tan Yanxizao: A roofless single-seater roadster without a windscreen that features semi-exposed wheels alongside sculpted and aerodynamic body panels, envisioned as an entry-level sportscar for young drivers.
Which one of the student-designed concepts would you like to see in production? Obviously, projects like that are doomed to remain in the digital world but some of the ideas – including the GT-R SUV or the urban EV commuter – could materialize in the distant future.