Ready to Rumble

Despite what Nissan Motor Philippines’ modest lineup would have you think, Nissan Motor Company has arguably one of the most exciting worldwide lineups of automobiles, what with the ongoing drive by CEO Charles Ghosn to make Nissan a brand that stands for cutting-edge styling and outstanding performance. Current production models like the 350Z sports car and Maxima and Altima executive sedans consistently make a good impression abroad, while their R&D division keeps thinking out-of-the-box on what it thinks the world market will want several years down the road. Here’s what the automaker came up with for Tokyo, from mild to outrageously wild.

Note, inspired by adidas — The production model Note is a 5-door, 5-passenger hatchback made with yuppies in mind. This one takes that assumption to a higher level by tying up with the sportswear and footwear giant to create a "wearable" concept car. Every style-conscious sports buff knows that brand- and color-coordinated clothes and shoes are a must; otherwise, you’d look like a chop suey athlete wannabe. Designed for what Nissan calls the "Remix Generation", why not take this ‘queer eye for the sporty guy’ approach to an automotive level then? Front and rear bumper surface treatments can be changed depending on the owner’s mood, and the interior is purposely sporty with sportswear-inspired elements. The dash and door panels are made of fabric and rubber materials you’d normally see on a pair of basketball sneakers, the glove box opens with a zipper, and even the center console incorporates a bag that can be carried around.

Foria — Aimed at the luxury coupe niche market, the Foria is a compact 2+2 concept that emphasizes interior elegance. A front engine-rear drive layout gives it luxury creds while allowing an exceptionally front overhang and a long hood. Center-opening, pillar-less doors prevent the rear passengers from feeling like second-class citizens, but the cabin is decidedly first class. True to Nissan’s penchant for understated, but nonetheless sumptuous, interiors in its latest models, the Foria’s cabin is ergonomically perfect while looking as lovingly put together as a pair of Ferragamos. The seats are wrapped in ivory-white leather, but even the instrument panel, center stack, and door trim are also embellished with thick, saddle-like leather — even the seams are hand-stitched around the edges.

Amenio — A six-passenger minivan, the Amenio furthers Nissan’s "Modern Living" concept with a dynamic exterior and an interior that’s as soothing as your favorite spa. The exterior’s sharp edges and dramatic lines belie a cabin that’s possibly inspired by a Gulfstream executive jet. The commodious front passenger’s seat and the second-row seats are power-adjustable and feature stowaway leg rests. The instrument panel uses rosewood trim, a well-known element in traditional Japanese architecture. Gaze upward and behold the heavens with the mostly-glass roof, or feel like the good Lord Himself with its advanced telematics interface. An 18-inch ultra-wide monitor lets you look down from outer space at cars traveling on the Earth’s surface in "Earth Browsing" mode, while "Space Browsing" model displays star constellations located in the direction you’re traveling. The Around View Monitor system displays a 360-degree view of the area around the van in real time, eliminating blind spots and an invaluable aid in parking.

Pivo — Only the Japanese could think of something as cute, but nonetheless silly, as the Pivo concept. Supposedly examining the potential of future electric vehicles, the Pivo has a cabin that revolves 360-degrees so you won’t ever have to turn the car around again in tight parking situations. That’s… interesting, we’d guess. Anyway, it’s powered by a compact lithium-ion battery and features advanced telematics. Nissan’s Around View Monitor eliminates blind spots with the use of strategically located cameras around the car, a dash-mounted infrared commander lets the driver operate the navigation and audio system by just simple hand gestures, and a Horizontal Display keeps his eyes on the road at all times. Like the ticker at the bottom of your TV when you tune in to CNN, vehicle information and navigation details are displayed at the bottom of the windshield.

GT-R Proto — Garnering one of the biggest crowds at Makuhari Messe convention center was the GT-R, in almost all respects what the next generation Skyline will look like two years from now. Nissan’s resident muscle car abandons the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution and Subaru Impreza WRX STi market for the much more upmarket "GT" level populated by the likes of the Porsche 911GT and Dodge Viper GTS. Drivetrain specs weren’t stated in the official Nissan press kits, but rumour has it that the twin turbocharged six-cylinder of before will be replaced by a racing-derived V-10 — all the better to make it a terror on the "Group A" racing scene. Lavish use of carbon fiber on exterior body panels and an aerodynamics-dictated body make no secret of what it’s supposed to be: a flagship supercar that will bring back the mojo in Nissan’s global efforts.