In honor of Nissan Design Europe’s (NDE) two decades in London, Makoto Uchida, Nissan’s President and CEO, graced NDE with a visit to introduce the groundbreaking Nissan Concept 20-23, an urban electric concept car.
The grand unveiling unfolded on a floating barge anchored just outside NDE, along the scenic Paddington Basin stretch of the Grand Union Canal. This locale is integral to NDE’s identity, endowing it with a unique and inspiring atmosphere.
The Nissan Concept 20-23 emerged from a collaborative effort, with young NDE members tasked with envisioning a vehicle, free from constraints, that they would love to navigate London’s city streets.
The nomenclature “Concept 20-23” cleverly intertwines NDE’s 20-year legacy in London with the company’s numerical insignia, “2” (ni) and “3” (san), along with the current year. It also carries forward Nissan’s tradition of infusing playfulness into the world of hatchbacks and city cars, reminiscent of the iconic Pike cars like the Be-1, Pao, Figaro, and S-Cargo.
Alfonso Albaisa, Nissan’s Senior Vice President for global design, shared his thoughts on the Concept 20-23 during the unveiling in London. He remarked, “The young NDE team was given a simple mission: create a fun electric city car for daily driving in London. The 20-23 Concept they designed is a compact hatchback with strong influences from the online racing world. It beautifully connects modern city living, online gaming, and zero-emission mobility.”
This modern interpretation of small car playfulness draws inspiration from the world of online racing and Nissan’s involvement in Formula E. The Concept 20-23’s foundational 3-door hatchback design features striking aerodynamic enhancements both in the front and rear. Deep skirts effectively guide airflow away from the front, cooling brakes, and venting just behind the front wheels.
The front presents a sleek, unbroken plane ascending gracefully to the hood’s pinnacle, housing distinctive LED-enhanced headlights with a slim semi-circle design. Turn signals are seamlessly integrated into the LED unit, offering a friendly facade amid intricate aerodynamics.
From the side, Concept 20-23 exudes muscularity with extended wheel arches enveloping large wheels fitted with low-profile tires. Louvered vents on the wheel arches reduce air resistance, while angular slits behind the front wheel and rear wheel arches further aid in brake cooling. Extended skirts cling to the car’s lower body.
At the rear, a single-piece spoiler emerges harmoniously from the roof rail, enhancing downforce without compromising rear visibility. Rear lights feature slender upper and lower semi-circles of LEDs juxtaposed with squared-off lower sections that manage airflow and maximize downforce. A horizontal bar emphasizes the car’s full width beneath a subtle rear hatchback.
A slim air intake is integrated into the car’s roof, providing ventilation to occupants as they relish Concept 20-23’s performance.
The exterior boasts a textured grey finish, resembling hewn metal, aptly reflecting the urban landscapes it’s designed for. The number “23” is prominently displayed on the car’s rear three-quarters.
While Concept 20-23 primarily focuses on exterior design, the interior offers a sporty ambiance. Access is through upward-hinging scissor doors, and deep bucket seats offer support without compromising comfort. A futuristic, minimalist interior features essential information on screens, minimizing distractions and mirroring the setups of real racing cars.
In summary, Alfonso Albaisa aptly described Concept 20-23 as a fitting celebration of NDE’s two-decade journey, where bold ideas have not only taken shape but have thrived and come to life.
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