Nissan Sport Sedan Named “Best Concept” at NAIAS

DETROIT – The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept was named  “Best Concept” at the 2014 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) by Autoweek Magazine editors. The Nissan concept edged out the Kia G4 Stinger and Toyota FT-1 to earn the annual accolade given to vehicles that Autoweek believes rose above the rest at the auto show.

“The Sports Sedan Concept is an extremely important vehicle for Nissan because it demonstrates a new and energetic design direction that builds on Nissan’s legendary approach of applying sports car principles to a sedan,” said Nissan Senior Vice President and Chief Creative Officer Shiro Nakamura. “To receive this recognition reinforces that Nissan is headed full speed in the right direction, and this is only a sign of good things to come. We are elated to take home Autoweek’s ‘Best Concept’ award from the 2014 NAIAS.”

Each year, Autoweek editors select Best in Show, Most Significant, Most Fun and Best Concept at the auto show in Detroit. Editors pointed to the Sport Sedan Concept’s forward-looking design themes, including a flow-over “V-Motion” grille, a “floating” roof, boomerang light clusters and diamond-shaped seat graphics, as notable qualities that helped earn the award.

The Nissan Sport Sedan Concept was created by Nissan Design America and developed at the Nissan Global Design Center in Japan. It is the third vehicle displaying that share signature design aspects that will be adapted to all future Nissans following the previously-revealed Nissan Resonance and Friend-ME concepts. The “V-Motion” movement of the front end flows from the dramatic chromed grille up through the hood. The front of the Sport Sedan Concept also incorporates the large LED boomerang headlights, a deeply scooped front fascia and wide, sloped windshield.

The profile of the vehicle is equally powerful, with its dynamic bodyside lines adding a strong sculptural feel and connecting the wheels and tires – which are pushed out to the four corners.

The unique “floating” roof adds a sense of openness and lightness in contrast to traditional sedans’ heavy cabin appearance. The design is meant to evoke youth and adventurousness, intended as a reward to customers for their hard work and success.

The concept is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine capable of 300-plus horsepower. At this stage, the Sport Sedan Concept is a design study created to explore future design cues for Nissan’s sports sedans and is not directly affiliated with any current or future production models.