Autoblogger Chris Paukert acquired these shots and deets on Nissan’s concept vehicle, the
URGE. Reported on Autoblog several times (see here, here, and here), the concept’s specs
include a target weight of 2,400 pounds; wheel base similar to the Nissan 350Z (but car length sixteen inches shorter);
and a drivetrain consisting of an as-yet-to-be-determined high-revving small-displacement engine and 6-speed manual
gearbox. In-car entertainment comes courtesy of two side screens, mp3 player and cell phone docking stations, and, of
course, the integrated gaming system powered by Xbox 360.
More specs and pics after the jump.
At a Glance: Nissan URGE
The Nissan URGE concept, a minimalist sports car design exercise conceived
and created by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA) in La Jolla, California, traces its genesis to a number of
sources. First, URGE is pure Nissan in its look, innovative features, spirited performance and, certainly, its
sports car heritage.
Secondly, its creators wanted to tap into the mindset of its intended audience
– young, first-time car buyers with a gamer’s sense of adventure and who provided input to NDA through an
online survey. And finally, the designers wanted to capture in URGE the feeling of the bare, exposed look and
driving experience of a high performance motorcycle, while also providing conceptual safety features.
The
resulting concept, which makes its world debut at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, expresses
all three ideas and much, much more. URGE is pure, quick, agile, and easily understandable at first glance –
merging technology, performance, adventure and safety with pure fun. It offers freedom and excitement, along with
the flexibility of two alpha seating – with a unique third seat tucked behind the driver and passenger.
The URGE exterior is highlighted by an extensive aluminum “cage” structure, which includes an
aluminum center structure that runs from the engine bay to the interior center console. The body itself features
aluminum/composite construction, a glass hood with a view of the quick, small-displacement high-revving engine, 4-bar
hinge scissor doors, see-through door panel cutouts, and a collapsible canvas top.
The URGE interior
features lightweight mesh bucket seats, compact F1-style steering wheel, a driver information monitor with five
customizable screens and a built-in gaming system, powered by Xbox 360, with fold-down display and steering wheel/pedal
controls.
In addition to the responsive engine mated to a 6-speed manual sequential gearbox, URGE performance
features include lightweight 9-spoke spun aluminum-alloy wheels, 350Z-style Brembo® brakes and 19-inch front/20-inch
rear wheels and tires.
Highlights of the Nissan URGE concept include:
Body
• Motorcycle-inspired styling – lightweight, minimal, exposed
• 104.3-inch wheelbase (same as the 350Z), 156.6-inch overall length (16 inches shorter than
the 350Z)
• See-through glass hood, cutaway door panels
•
Aluminum center structure that runs from the engine bay to the interior center console
•
Recyclable aluminum and composite construction
• 4-bar hinge scissors-style doors with
cutouts for easy ingress and egress
• Spun aluminum roof cage structure, triangulated
A-pillars
• Collapsible, quick-close, manual (storable) canvas top
• 2400-pound target vehicle weight
• “Mirror Crystal”
exterior color
Engine and Driveline
• Quick, small-displacement, high-revving
engine
• 6-speed manual sequential gearbox
• Front
engine/rear-wheel drive
Suspension and Braking
• Independent suspension
• 350Z-style Brembo® brakes
• 19-inch front/20-inch rear
9-spoke spun aluminum-alloy wheels with narrow Michelin tires (195/45R19 front, 225/35R20 rear)
Interior
Features
• Driver-oriented interior with compact, responsive F1-style steering wheel
• Racing-style lightweight mesh-and-leather bucket seats
• Billet
aluminum center console
• Cell phone and mp3 player docking stations; cell phone acts as
Intelligent Key to start vehicle
• Navigation system displayed in front of driver (not
passenger)
• Five customizable driver info screens (including HVAC, navi, audio and
suspension/performance tuning)
• Integrated gaming system powered by Xbox 360 and featuring
a special Nissan edition of Project Gotham Racing 3
• Game screen folds down from the
rearview mirror; steering wheel and pedals engage as game controls; gaming audio powered through the vehicle’s
audio system
• Perforated metal mesh-covered silicone foam instrument panel material,
visible passenger-side air bag, racing-style durable rubber flooring
• Two alpha seating
(third seat hidden behind driver and passenger seats)
Design and Assembly
•
Designed by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), La Jolla, Calif.
• Assembled by Metal
Crafters, Inc., Fountain Valley, Calif.
Nissan URGE
Key Dimensions and Specifications
Engine
Quick, high revving, small-displacement engine
Transmission 6-speed sequential manual
gearbox
Drive Configuration Front engine/rear-wheel
drive
Wheels/Tires/Brakes 19-inch front/20-inch rear 9-spoke spun
aluminum-alloy wheels with Michelin tires
(195/45R19 front, 225/35R20 rear), 350Z-style Brembo® 4-wheel disc
Wheelbase 104.3
inches/2650 mm
Length
156.6 inches/3979 mm
Width
71.8 inches/1824 mm
Height
49.6 inches/1260 mm
Target
weight 2400 pounds
Seating
Capacity 3 passengers
Select Exterior Features
Motorcycle-inspired styling, see-through glass hood, cutaway door panels,
aluminum center
structure, aluminum and carbon fiber construction, 4-bar
hinge scissors-style
doors, spun aluminum roof cage structure, collapsible
quick-close, manual (storable) canvas top, “Mirror
Crystal” exterior color
Select Interior Features Driver-oriented interior with
compact, responsive F1-style steering wheel,
racing-style lightweight mesh-and-leather bucket seats, billet
aluminum center
console, cell phone and mp3 player docking stations (cell phone acts as
Intelligent Key to start vehicle), customizable driver info
screens (including HVAC, navi, audio
and suspension/performance tuning),
integrated gaming system powered by Xbox 360.
[Source: Nissan]