Nissan envisions a zero-emissions off-roader in the form of the TeRRA Concept.
Nissan is giving a sneak peek at the new TeRRA Concept it will formally unveil at the Paris Motor Show later this month.
Don’t expect to see the all-wheel-drive crossover, or more precisely, its hydrogen fuel-cell powertrain, in production anytime soon, the TeRRA may just give some insight into some of the things Nissan is working up for the near future.
While some elements of the styling are clearly over the top, notably the prismatic LED headlamps, the broader design cues just might have an influence on the next-generation xTerra sport-utility vehicle or the eventual update of the smaller Juke CUV.
“We took our inspiration from the lifestyles of youthful customers in Northern Europe,” said Shiro Nakamura, Nissan senior vice president and chief creative officer. “We heard their aspiration for sustainable mobility that can take them anywhere they want to go.”
The Nissan TeRRA Concept's nose features a layout similar to that of the Juke.
The choice of a zero-emissions hydrogen driveline is an intriguing shift for Nissan which has put most of its focus, whether in production or concept vehicles, on battery-electric drivelines in recent years. Fuel-cell technology was all the rage a decade ago – and it has begun regaining momentum as it doesn’t face the range and charge time limitations of pure battery-electric propulsion.
And it can make good use of the same electric driveline technology as a battery vehicle. In fact, the TeRRA lifts the basic propulsion system from the Nissan Leaf. The rear wheels get an additional electric motor that not only adds pep but also creates a sort of “through-the-road” all-wheel-drive system.
“Our challenge was to take Nissan’s strength in SUVs and crossovers forward into the zero-emissions era, fuel cells being our new frontier in zero emission mobility,” explained Francois Bancon, Nissan’s general manager of product strategy and planning.
The TeRRA's unusual, diagonal seating layout.
While TeRRA clearly is“not big and tough for the desert, the aim was a new approach to SUVs that’s relevant to urban life,” he added. “The unique diagonal seating layout that offers an exciting driving experience thanks to exceptional visibility that creates a sense of being in control under any conditions.”
Among other high-tech features, the TeRRA boasts an instrument cluster that is essentially just an electronic tablet that can be docked before driving or removed when the vehicle is parked. Think of it as an “intelligent key,” the maker suggests.
In default mode, the screen displays the usual assortment of gauges – here in digital form. But a tap of the touchscreen and it can be switched to show infotainment and other information, effectively managing all key vehicle functions.
The interior layout is equally unusual and vaguely recalls the classic McLaren F1, with its 3-seat layout planting the driver in the middle. In TeRRA, Nissan seats the driver almost front-and-center in a diagonal layout positioning rear passengers over the shoulders of those in front, rather than directly behind.
“For the driver to be nearly centered, not seated off to one side, provides a fresh, enlightened perspective with exceptional visibility,” design chief Nakamura said. “The diagonal layout allows all passengers to share the vision of adventures up ahead.”
The Nissan TeRRA concept will officially debut at the Paris Motor Show in two weeks.