Nissan FORUM Concept: The future of people moving?
Nissan doesn’t look like it’s ready to throw in the towel on minivans–at least not yet.
The Forum concept, which Nissan is bringing to the Detroit auto show in January, has the automaker’s design crew trying to shift the perception of people movers from the stigmatized mom-mobile to a luxurious gathering space for families on the go.
To that end, the concept’s interior is loaded with gadgetry:
– A two-seat second-row bench seat with motorized swiveling. The bench can swivel to face toward each side, or 180 degrees to face the third-row seats.
– Speakers mounted in each seatback and headrest, to keep stereo sound regardless of the seat position.
– Speakers mounted in the rear edge of the side-sliding doors. Open the doors and the rear hatch creates an exterior sound system for events such as tailgate parties.
– Cameras mounted in the headliner to give the driver a view of the second- and third-row seats on the dashboard-mounted screen. Also, a “time out” button on the steering wheel mutes all audio systems at once and amplifies the driver’s voice through the speakers.
– The Bose media system uses a proximity sensor to enable the driver or front passenger to control the audio system with simple hand motions, limiting the need to divert attention from the road.
– A microwave oven in the center console is big enough to handle a bag of popcorn (or reheat the cold chicken nuggets).
Nissan’s track record with minivans in the United States is hit and miss. The first-generation Quest (which also spawned the Mercury Villager mechanical clone) set a styling trend for minivans with a rounded look.
The second-generation Quest was larger with angular styling that set it apart from competitors. But that polarizing look, combined with quality problems during the van’s launch, has made it an also-ran in a segment dominated by Chrysler, Toyota and Honda–and abandoned by Ford and General Motors.
(Full disclosure: The Jewett family has owned three Quests, two first-gens and a first-year second-gen model. Today, Mrs. Jewett drives a sedan.)
The concept does not have B-pillars, which results in wide openings to get inside. It’s a common element in design concepts but unlikely to make production.
The Forum strikes a wider pose than the current Quest, which has a tall-and-long look, with a flatter nose.
Nissan says its intent for the Forum would be to have a diesel engine mated to a new generation of its front-drive continuously variable transmission. But that powertrain is not in the concept.
Is the Forum a replacement for the Quest, which will reach the end of its current product cycle in 2009 or 2010?
Larry Dominique, Nissan’s product planning chief for North America, says the jury is still out.
Nissan’s research shows that the minivan market could see a big sales drop in the next few years–from the current 1.2 million units a year to something more like 600,000 to 750,000 units a year.
With the current Quest selling an average of about 2,400 copies a month this year, Nissan is still thinking about whether it needs to continue to play in that segment.
Source: AutoWeek.com ; Motortrend.com
Приветствую всех!
У меня такой вопрос,кто что интересное подскажет буду признателен.
Мы с друзьями собираемся поехать в круиз по просторам России и ближнего зарубежья месяца на два на своих машинах,но не как не можем согласовать маршрут,если у кого уже был опыт такого путешествия,может,что посоветуете.Девчонок с собой не берем,думаем,что во все городах России с этим не будет проблем,если у кого будут рекомендации и в вопросе отдыха с девушками тоже буду признателен.
С уважением Сеньчик
Good day to all
http://www.hairstylestop.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/claudia.jpg
The beautiful Claudia Schiffer enjoying a casual day out with her daughter Clementine. Claudia is currently living in London with her little Clementine and director hubby Matthew Vaughn. Claudia is a born supermodel which unfortunately means for the rest of us she is naturally beautiful, and there is little that we can do to come close to matching her flawlessness. However, here she is wearing her long blonde locks loose and free for a casual day out with her daughter. This looks is very retro, making it contemporary this year, and if you have long locks you can achieve this look very easily. It simply takes a little straightening pomade on washed hair, and then a blow dry with a flat paddle brush. If you d like to sleek the lines a little more, use your flat iron for some finishing touches. The end result is sleek, straight hair that requires little to no maintenance throughout the day. If you find some frizzies starting as the day progresses, run some moisturizer on your hands and run it through your hair t
o smooth things out.
Welcome to the Hairstyles Top. Here you will find the latest top hair style pictures, and advice for new hairstyles: black hairstyles, kids hairstyles, wedding hairstyles, curly hairstyles, etc. Lots of celebrity haircuts.
Olympics 2008 Medal Standings (????? 2008)
results.beijing2008.cn/WRM/ENG/INF/GL/95A/GL0000000.shtml
Is this gonna end someday??
Priveet!! Medveed!!!