Nissan will reveal an as-yet unspecified concept car on its YouTube channel on February 2 at 12pm AEDT.
It says it will “[take] zero emissions mobility to the max” and the placeholder image resembles the previously revealed Max-Out concept, renderings of which were released all the way back in November 2021.
Given Nissan says to join it “to see what happens when virtual becomes physical”, this concept could therefore be the physical manifestation of those renderings.
The Max-Out is a so-called “ultra-lightweight” convertible concept that promises a very low centre of gravity, limited body roll and “superlative stability and comfort”.
It’s a two-seater, though Nissan says you can “morph” the seating. For example, the passenger seat can fold flat.
As with the Surf-Out ute and Hang-Out MPV/crossover concepts also previewed in 2021, the Max-Out is said to use a new architecture with proprietary all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs), Advanced e-4ORCE dual-motor all-wheel drive and Advanced ProPilot driver assist features.
Nissan has said it’s aiming to have ASSBs in pilot production as early as fiscal year 2024 ahead of a market introduction in fiscal year 2028.
This is just part of an overarching 2 trillion yen (A$24.6 billion) investment in electrification it announced in 2021.
Of the three -Out concepts, the Max-Out seems the least likely to reach production given the declining market for convertibles. Nissan could, however, be looking to introduce a new electric halo model.
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Surf-Out concept -
Hang-Out concept
The concept’s name evokes the Maxima, which has been Nissan’s flagship sedan in the North American market since 1981. The current 2015-vintage model remains on sale there, slotting in above the Altima.
It’s been almost 12 months since Nissan also teased a pair of electric passenger cars it plans to build in the US from 2025: one a Nissan, the other an Infiniti.
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Nissan fastback concept -
Infiniti fastback concept
It’s unclear when these will finally be unveiled. Infiniti in particular is in dire need of fresh product – other than the relatively fresh QX50, QX55 and QX60 crossovers, it has the venerable QX80 SUV, the moribund Q60 coupe, and the almost decade-old Q50.
Nissan’s luxury marque also has no electric vehicles yet, despite having teased future EVs with a series of concepts.
