tokyo auto show, concept cars, nissan, round box

Tokyo Auto Show Preview: Nissan Round Box Concept

It's round, it's a box, it's neither of those things. It's the Nissan Round Box concept car for Tokyo, and it's a combination of tech and sprightly performance with an element of something we like to call "there's no roof on it." Some of its features include an interactive system that allows the driver and passengers to engage in something Nissan calls "Playing Catch," which seems to involve passing digital notes, entertainment and driving info. It also has low-to-the ground glass panels that provide a look at the passing highway from the point of view of someone roped to the car's undercarriage. Nausea-inducing yes, but, what was the question?

Press Release: Nissan Round Box (R.D/B.X) Concept

Youth-Oriented Compact Convertible Provides Occupants With Sensation of Speed and Exhilaration

* Round Box represents a new take on open-air motoring, providing exhilaration for all passengers - not just the driver - through its uniquely shared experience of fresh air stimulation, a sensation of speed and easy-to-use high-spec features.

* An innovative, interactive "Play Catch" system allows the driver and passengers - including those in the rear seat - to share entertainment and driving information.

* The "right sized" space to facilitate communication between the four passengers. Never-before-experienced value created by combinations of heterogeneous elements.

* Contributing to the shared sensation of speed are unique "road surface windows," small glass panels placed close to the ground on both sides of the car, providing passengers with a view of the rapidly passing road surface, without the risk of road contact.

11:00 AM on Wed Oct 10 2007
By Mike Spinelli
3,704 views
10 comments

Comments

Rust-MyEnemy at 11:24 AM on 10/10/07
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To me, it looks like the Interior and Exterior design guys didn't like each other.

50's retro-futurist interior meets 2002 "Cutting Edge" concept car exterior. I'd still have the interior, but not the car to put it in.

I'd keep it in the garden. Or summat.
muhnkee_2 at 11:31 AM on 10/10/07
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its cooler than a renault avantime....
observer at 11:31 AM on 10/10/07
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wow....so what happened at Chrysler? Strike? Ball? Base hit?
teargas at 11:36 AM on 10/10/07
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I like the interior, and the exterior from the rear 3/4. I imagine sitting in it would be a similar experience to sitting in UrQuattro circa 1983: Digital gauges!? WHOA! Who the hell is this broad telling me that the car is ready to go?!
adamrice at 11:43 AM on 10/10/07
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Love the dashboard. When the view of the road gets boring, I can just watch all the neat animations going on there. Not distracting at all.

Seriously though, those lower door cutouts could make parallel parking a little easier. Smart idea.
cafn8 at 12:09 PM on 10/10/07
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The interior door handles make me thing naughty things.
banner77amc at 01:09 PM on 10/10/07
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Do have to say that this impresses me. Its got some very inventive ideas. Nissan should really make a go at using some of the aspects of this. I.e. add the lower door cutouts to a Titan or an Armada. Use some of this stuff for a next gen Murano.
rgseidl at 02:49 PM on 10/10/07
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I can't put my finger on it, but the front does remind me of Daffy Duck's beak.
FreeMan at 03:23 PM on 10/10/07
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Those lower door cutouts aren't new, truckers have had 'em for years!

Beyond that, what was the point of this thing? The dash is utter rubbish. The seats look very uncomfortable, or at least unsupportive. It's obviously not designed for any sort of speed, since even with no top it has to provide the sensation of speed. And if I want to watch the road go by, I'll stick my head out the window and look down.

On the bright side, though, I get to use a batman steering wheel!
NihonConnection at 01:05 PM on 10/13/07
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I just like to stress the fact about the Tokyo Motor Show and how the concepts always have an air off extravaganza over them. It seems that there is a special taste over here that just comes with the market. They love a "Genki" (energetic) style for shows, but nevertheless try to convey a story to people about design direction. Coming from my view point here in Japan, Nissan has the most "European" looking esthetics in the Japanese carpool. Including this concept. (Interior wise Japan has something of a unique weirdness anyway)