Making its debut at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show, the Nissan Hi-Cross Concept previews a possible new design direction for Nissan. According to the Japanese automaker, the Hi-Cross Concept is compact yet surprisingly roomy, elegant yet purposeful.
The Hi-Cross Concept sits on a 2,780 mm wheelbase and measures 4,660 mm in length, 1,850 mm in width and 1,670 mm in height. Its styling combines existing Nissan design cues with new elements. Highlights include a front fascia with a characteristic V-shaped grille, distinctive new front and rear headlamps and a bold character line that extends from the bonnet down the flanks of the car all the way to the D-pillar. Inside, the seven-seat cockpit is dominated by a new T-wing shaped dashboard.
The Hi-Cross is motivated by a hybrid drivetrain that couples an electric motor — powered by a Nissan-developed compact lithium-ion battery (used by the LEAF) — with a 2.0-litre direct injection petrol engine to provide the performance potential of a 2.5-litre with the fuel-economy and emissions of a much smaller unit.
Andy Palmer, Executive Vice President, Nissan Motor Co. Ltd., said: “Nissan created the crossover segment with Murano and has expanded the genre with top selling cars like Qashqai and Juke. Nissan Hi-Cross Concept shows we are not sitting still, resting on our laurels, but exploring ways of cementing our crossover leadership by exploring new ideas.”
