Nissan North America, Inc. (NNA) has presented three world debuts at the Los Angeles Auto Show – the 2011 Nissan Quest Minivan, the 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet and the Nissan Ellure Concept.
The Quest and Murano CrossCabriolet are both scheduled to go on sale at Nissan dealers in the US in early 2011, while the Ellure Concept is described as a design exploration of a new Nissan sedan design language.
“Innovation is Nissan’s core belief and it has driven us to create some of the most iconic cars on the road,” said Nissan Americas Chairman Carlos Tavares. “Innovation can be as simple as turning old water bottles onto new seats, as complex as squeezing 530 horsepower out of a 3.8-liter V6, or as life changing as never having to buy another gallon of gasoline again.”
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Nissan said that the all-new 2011 Nissan Quest represents a ‘celebration of family life – and a forum for innovative ideas designed to make the toughest job in the world, parenting, a little easier’. It features one-touch side doors, quick release fold-flat 2nd and 3rd row seats, a permanent rear storage well, Dual Panel Sliding Moonroof and Advanced Climate Control System, to name just a few items.
“With this new design, Quest makes a strong statement in terms of style, user friendliness, family functionality and utility,” said Tavares. “A true ‘parents’ car’ that both Mom and Dad will enjoy, it’s innovation that makes the impossible possible.”
The 2011 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet is described by Nissan as the world’s first all-wheel drive crossover convertible.
“With a fully automatic convertible top that stows to the size near that of a conventional two-seat roadster, the Murano CrossCabriolet easily accommodates any situation from shopping trips to shuttling passengers,” said Tavares. “There’s ample space in the trunk, even with the top down, comfortable room for four adults in the interior – plus standard all-wheel drive. It’s time to rethink what a convertible can be.”
The Nissan Ellure Concept, the “sedan re-imagined,” was presented at the press conference by Nissan Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura, who explained Nissan’s challenge in bringing a sense of passion and excitement to the segment while retaining the sedan’s core strengths. “We approached this challenge by creating a new emotional form, embracing a refined contrast between broad planes and sharp shoulders – and by creating a simple but passionate interior space that can change its mood to match that of the driver, and where night comes alive with lounge-like lighting and ambiance.”
Nissan says that the car is a long-term vision for the next generation of sedans and that it introduces a new sedan design language.
“It’s an ideal fit for the needs of its projected owners, women in their ‘30s and ‘40s with a sense of sophistication and rebellion,” Nakamura added.
“While not intended as a preview of any upcoming production model, Ellure confirms Nissan’s intention to be a strong player in the sedan segment for many years to come,” said Nakamura.
