The Nissan FORUM concept car features a dramatic styling with wide stance, high beltline, wide-open visibility and an aggressive front end appearance. The Nissan FORUM concept car debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January. The Nissan FORUM concept car offers trackless sliding side doors and elimination of traditional B-pillars, an interior featuring a multi-position swiveling 2nd row seat to next-generation entertainment and family communications technology.
Nissan Press Release:
Nissan FORUM Concept Utilizes Design and Technology Innovations to Create a Unique Family Activity Space
The Nissan FORUM, an exploratory design concept developed by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), represents the next revolution in family transportation. Answering the challenge of making family passenger vehicles more appealing to both drivers and passengers, Nissan FORUM offers a wide array of innovative ideas – from its trackless sliding side doors and elimination of traditional B-pillars, to an interior featuring a multi-position swiveling 2 nd row seat and next-generation entertainment and family communications technology. Nissan FORUM makes its world auto show debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
Two Independent Zones In One Room
As its name suggests, Nissan FORUM is conceived as a “gathering place,” bringing adults and children together in two independent but linked “zones.” Targeting families with older children who not only can entertain themselves but also demand to, Nissan FORUM respects the needs and desires of both grownups and kids.
In front is the parents’ zone, with advanced information technology controls and seats designed to enhance driving pleasure. The rear zone is the dedicated kids’ space, where they can
feel comfortable and entertained. Nissan FORUM’s advanced technology bridges the two zones, as desired, into one unique family “togetherness” space.
“From a conceptual standpoint, Nissan FORUM is closer to a family limousine than the minivans Gen Xers have grown up with. But unlike a real limo – or sometimes traditional minivans – the Nissan FORUM driver is just as important as the passengers,” said Rachel Nguyen, director, Advanced Planning and Strategy, Nissan North America, Inc. “It offers a sophisticated
space for adults and an engaging space for children – allowing both groups to enjoy themselves in their own individualistic ways while being connected in one vehicle. Like every Nissan, this dramatic Nissan FORUM Concept combines passionate driving, emotive design and an abundance of advanced, user-friendly technology.”
The Nissan FORUM conceptual and design teams took care to consider the needs of both male and female drivers. “Traditional minivans are often perceived as the ‘Mom’s car’ – but Nissan FORUM is designed to be gender neutral. The reality is that both Moms and Dads want style, performance and driving pleasure in their vehicles, whether transporting kids or not.”
Research shows that the primary driver of family vehicles often changes depending on the day of the week and family schedules. During the week, Nissan FORUM’s primary driver might be a mom, picking up the kids at school, dropping them off at practices or lessons – so we’ve incorporated advanced communications systems such as rear seat camera monitoring cameras and audio controls. “Sometimes being a mom is just about managing the chaos, but moms also deserve some personal space of their own. Nissan FORUM is designed to give moms a balance between needs and the kids’,” said Nguyen.
On the weekends, a dad might become the primary driver, taking over Nissan FORUM for errands, longer trips or recreational drives – so Nissan FORUM is designed with responsive power and handling, and more aggressive, performance-car styling than traditional family vehicles. Nissan FORUM also offers the exceptional flexibility required to haul large objects and other “weekend gear.”
“We also know that with traditional minivans, both moms and dads sometimes feel like they are sitting in a kids’ playroom – losing their identities in the vehicle,” continued Nguyen. “Nissan FORUM lets kids be kids and grown-ups be grown-ups, with the adults firmly in charge.”
Ultimately, Nissan FORUM is conceived as a place to share – a destination in itself, as well as enjoyable transportation to other venues.
“There are many occasions during a week when, with a family’s busy schedule, the vehicle is the only place where everyone is together – so we’ve incorporated features and technology to enhance this precious ‘quality time,’” said Nguyen.
Pushing the Envelope of Exterior Design
Though respecting the basic layout of a “one box” design, Nissan FORUM Concept adds a higher level of dramatic styling through its wide stance, high beltline, wide-open visibility and an aggressive front end appearance.
Nissan FORUM’s design innovations include wide-opening front doors and no B-pillars – creating exceptional access to the 2 nd and 3 rd row seats. Nissan FORUM’s front doors open 90 degrees, which combined with the long sliding side doors, create wide openings for easy entry and exit of all three rows. “We were able to engineer the lack of B-pillars through use of extra thick reinforced roof and door frames – putting the material where it needs to go to help maintain structural integrity for this concept,” said Bruce Campbell, vice president, Design, NDA. “Not only does this greatly enhance the ease of getting in and out of the rear seats, it allows us to utilize the 2 nd row seat as a sort of ‘bleacher’ – adding a new dimension to watching sports, picnicking or other outdoor family activities.”
Another exterior innovation is Nissan FORUM’s trackless sliding side door design, which offers a clean, uninterrupted, non-traditional profile. A special patented hinge system makes the trackless door possible.
Integrated into the SkyView™ moonroof panels are hidden sunshades, which allow the glass panels to be closed off during hot days. Other exterior features include LED lights front and rear, with a subtle LED light bar accenting the sweeping grille and hood design; soft-edged side outside mirrors; wide six-spoke alloy wheels and low-profile tires; a wide rear hatch; and dual exhaust outlets.
A Suite Interior
Inside the sophisticated skin is where Nissan FORUM really comes alive. The aniline leather-appointed, pedestal-style driver’s and front passenger seat and cockpit area – surrounded in rich aluminum and wood – offers “front cabin” comfort and control.
Nissan FORUM’s dramatic “floating” instrument panel design blends next-generation communications technology with simple, intuitive controls. The instrument panel includes dual climate controls, Bluetooth® wireless technology and mood lighting under the upper and lower console areas. A built-in console-mounted microwave, sized to fit a standard bag of microwave popcorn, is accessible from the front and center seats.
Nissan FORUM also features special vertical wave pattern carpeting. The one-inch thick “modern shag” style carpeting is 100 percent wool and, despite its elegant appearance, is easy to clean.
Designed in conjunction with the pillar-less side doors, Forum’s revolutionary “Turntable Seating” 2 nd row bucket-formed seat rotates 90 degrees to either side to create “grandstand” seating for watching sports or for picnicking and “side-gating.”
The seat also rotates a full 180 degrees to face the three-passenger rear seat, creating family-style seating for up to five passengers. The 2 nd row seat is operated by a small motor mounted in the vehicle floor. When it is time to rotate the seats, the center console lifts up and the two seat halves come together. At the same time, the two front seats move forward to aid in rotations clearance.
The 2 nd row seat also includes individual wireless monitors, located in the seat console, for watching DVDs or playing games, and integrated seat belts (also utilized in the front and 3 rd row seats).
Togetherness Through Technology
Nissan FORUM’s interior is also a showcase for the latest mobile communications technology, much of it developed in conjunction with the Bose® Corporation.
“With older, more self-sufficient children, the driver’s role become more of a coordinator, rather than a protector, allowing the driver to enjoy her or his own time while facilitating togetherness,” said Campbell. “The idea is to enable controlled craziness in the rear zone, rather than complete chaos – which we’ve accomplished with a combination of communications and monitoring systems.”
Close watch on rear cabin occupants is provided by a “Kids Cam” monitoring system, which utilizes 2 nd and 3 rd row cameras mounted in the headliner and connected to the main instrument panel LCD display monitor. Selectable camera control switches are mounted above the rearview mirror.
A one-button audio muting “Time Out” system, with the controller located in the lower center portion of the steering wheel, allows the driver to simultaneously mute all audio playing in the Nissan FORUM and broadcast the driver’s voice over all interior speakers – enabling quick and easy communication to both rows of rear seats.
“The ‘Time Out’ system gives the driver and passengers a sometimes much-needed time out, while the rear zone cameras enable observation – and interaction – when needed, while helping drivers keep their primary attention on the road,” explained Campbell.
Nissan FORUM also offers an advanced Bose® Media System, which combines infotainment features and intelligent design, with single knob proximity sensor-based controller helping the driver, again, keep their focus where it should be – on the road. Waving a hand near the controller triggers infrared sensors to bring up the initial system interface.
The Bose® Media System’s unique interface allows easy access to a wealth of features, including XM® Satellite Radio, hard disc drive music storage, DVD, iPod® interface, Bluetooth® Hands-free Phone System and an advanced navigation system.
Nissan FORUM also employs Nissan’s advanced Around View Monitor (AVM) system, found in the new 2008 Infiniti EX35. The AVM system includes front, side and rear-mounted cameras and an advanced controller that combines the images together to give the driver a unique view of all four sides of the vehicle – helping to reduce driver blind spots when parking.
State-of-the-art audio is provided by the Bose® SeatCentric™ system, which includes headrest and seatback speakers for consistent stereo image event as the seat swivels – along with independent audio programming for all three rows.
Working in conjunction with the wide opening sliding side doors is the Bose® FreeSpace® outdoor audio system, with speakers mounted on the trailing edges of the sliding doors and a wireless media player controller – providing full-range audio entertainment outside the Nissan FORUM.
Respect For The Environment
Nissan FORUM’s efficient, intelligent design features also extend to the powertrain. Though as a design exploration, Nissan FORUM’s emphasis is limited to form and functionality, conceptually a modern, next-generation family passenger vehicle would include a clean diesel or other environmentally sensitive powerplant.*
“Nissan has previously announced that it will be offering a clean diesel engine in the United States in the next generation Maxima, so a similar powerplant would be a definite consideration for a vehicle like Nissan FORUM,” said Campbell. “Nissan is also an industry leader in CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) technology, so you could predict smooth, responsive performance worthy of the Nissan badge.”
Redefining Family Transportation and Quality Time
“While some people think that family transportation vehicles are a thing of the past, Nissan’s view is that vehicles just need to evolve along with changing family dynamics,” concluded Nguyen. “Quality time used to be more about the quantity of time spent together with the kids. Today, it’s more about dedicated moments for family fun, entertainment and communication. Nissan FORUM is a great place to gather together and rediscover each other once in a while.”
At A Glance: Nissan FORUM Concept
The Nissan FORUM, an exploratory design concept developed by Nissan Design America, Inc. (NDA), represents the next revolution in family transportation. Answering the challenge of making family passenger vehicles more appealing to both drivers and passengers, Nissan FORUM offers a wide array of innovative ideas – from its trackless sliding side doors and elimination of traditional B-pillars, to an interior featuring a multi-position swiveling 2 nd row seat to next-generation entertainment and family communications technology. Nissan FORUM makes its world auto show debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January.
Highlights of the Nissan FORUM Concept include:
Exterior Features
Dramatic styling with wide stance, high beltline, wide-open visibility and an aggressive front end appearance
Short front and rear overhangs
Wide-opening front doors and no B-pillars
Trackless sliding side door design, which offers a clean, uninterrupted, non-traditional profile
Wide rear hatch; and dual exhaust outlets
Expansive use of side glass
Overhead SkyView™ moonroof glass panels that open up the interior to the outside environment
LED lights front and rear, with a subtle LED light bar accenting the sweeping grille and hood design
Soft-edged side outside mirrors
Wide six-spoke alloy wheels with Nitto420 245/45R20 low profile tires
Interior Features
Two interior zones – parents and kids, 7-passenger seating
Aniline leather-appointed, pedestal-style driver’s and front passenger seats
Extensive use of rich Aniline leather, aluminum and wood
Dramatic “floating” instrument panel blending next-generation communications technology with simple, intuitive controls
Dual climate controls, Bluetooth® wireless technology
Mood lighting under the upper and lower console areas
Built-in console-mounted microwave, accessible from front and 2 nd row seats
Special vertical wave pattern “modern shag” carpeting
Revolutionary “Turntable Seating” 2 nd row bucket-formed seat that rotates 90 degrees to either side to create “grandstand” seating for watching sports, or 180 degrees to face the three-passenger rear seat, creating family-style seating for up to 5-passengers
2nd row seat includes individual wireless monitors located in the seat console
Integrated seat belts in all positions
Bose® Media System with intuitive controls featuring proximity sensing to detect the operator’s reach, comprehensive voice command and hands-free communications
Hard disc drive music storage with Bose uMusic® intelligent playback system
GPS navigation system
Wide screen LCD display
Multi-format media capability for stereo and surround discs
“Kids’ Cam” 2 nd and 3 rd row monitoring cameras
“Time Out” one-button audio muting and front-to-back communications system
SeatCentric™ audio system with speakers in headrests and seatbacks, independent audio programs in front and rear seating rows
FreeSpace® outdoor audio with full-range exterior audio system for tailgating and other outdoor activities
Powertrain
Environmentally sensitive clean diesel engine* with Nissan Xtronic CVT™ (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Front engine/front-wheel drive
Design
Designed by Nissan Design America, Inc., La Jolla, Calif.
Nissan FORUM Concept
Key Dimensions and Specifications
Engine Environmentally sensitive clean diesel engine*
Transmission Nissan Xtronic CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission)
Drive Configuration Front engine/front-wheel drive
Wheels/Tires 20-inch 6-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels
Nitto NT420 245/45R20 tires
Wheelbase 121.1 inches/3075 mm
Length 196.4 inches/4987 mm
Width 83.3 inches/2114 mm
Height 69.4 inches/1763 mm
Seating Capacity 7 passengers
Audio/Entertainment Bose® Media System:
- Intuitive controls featuring proximity sensing to detect the operator’s reach
- Comprehensive voice command and hands-free communications
- Hard disc drive music storage with Bose uMusic® intelligent playback system
- Bluetooth® connectivity
- GPS navigation
- Wide screen LCD display
- Multi-format media capability for stereo and surround discs
- 2nd and 3rd row monitoring cameras
- One-button audio muting and front-to-back communication
SeatCentric™ audio system:
- Speakers in headrests and seatbacks allow for a consistent stereo image even as the seat swivels
- Independent audio programs in front and rear seating rows
FreeSpace® outdoor audio:
- Full-range exterior audio system for tailgating and other outdoor activities
Select Exterior Features Dramatic styling with wide stance, high beltline, wide-open visibility and an aggressive front end appearance; wide-opening front doors and no B-pillars; trackless sliding side door design, which offers a clean, uninterrupted, non-traditional profile; expansive use of side glass and overhead SkyView moonroof glass panels to open up the interior to the outside environment; LED lights front and rear, with a subtle LED light bar accenting the sweeping grille and hood design; soft-edged side outside mirrors; wide six-spoke alloy wheels and low-profile tires; a wide rear hatch; and dual exhaust outlets
Select Interior Features Aniline leather-appointed, pedestal-style driver’s and front passenger seats; extensive use of rich Analon leather, aluminum and wood; dramatic “floating” instrument panel blending next-generation communications technology with simple, intuitive controls; dual climate controls; Bluetooth wireless technology; mood lighting under the upper and lower console areas; built-in console-mounted microwave, sized to fit a standard bag of microwave popcorn; special vertical wave pattern “modern shag” carpeting; revolutionary “Turntable Seating” 2nd row bucket-formed seat that rotates 90 degrees to either side to create “grandstand” seating for watching sports, or 180 degrees to face the three-passenger rear seat, creating family-style seating for up to five passengers; 2nd row seat includes individual wireless monitors, located in the seat console; integrated seat belts in all positions
